1) I already have OnGrid files. How do I switch over?

First, make backup copies of your current OnGrid files.

Then download the v6 OnGrid Tool directly from the Files webpage (the old locked Tool won't prompt you to update).

v6 will open to the Welcome sheet (unless you need to enable "macros" first (see the user manual for help with this)).

v6 has no user-sign-in requirement.

To use old supporting files in v6, please select them on the v6 Settings sheet.

When selecting an old customer database (OnGrid CustData.xlsx), v6 will prompt you to update it. Do this to store the four new no-net-metering inputs.

2) How do I manage users / sales reps going forward?

In v6, the previously-hidden `VendUsers` sheet is exposed. There, you'll need to type in user names / info for whoever you'd like to assign customers to. The `keycode` is the user ID that will be associated with a saved customer.

The keycode is arbitrary — put anything (e.g. 1, 2, 3...). If you'd like to maintain the current customer <> user associations, please ask Mike to give you a list of your company's subscription-tool user keycodes.

In v6, all users have access to all locally-available OnGrid customer data. If you don't want someone to have access to particular customers... you'll need to store those customers in OnGrid files that the user doesn't have access to.

3) How do I share customer data internally without OnGrid Sky?

One option is to keep the OnGrid CustData file in a file-sharing-service folder (e.g. Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive). That way, all users will save to / load from the same file.

Another option is to use single-customer files. Links to save to / load from single-customer files are at the top right of the Inputs sheet (in the gray).

4) Will Mike keep data up to date?

Mike doesn't plan to do this. Andy posted a last round of utility rate plan and equipment updates in late 2025. To use up-to-date rate plan and incentive data, you'll need to use the user-defined-data options (please see the user manual).

5) How do I get into the backend?

At the top of the Settings sheet and the Inputs sheet, look for a Convert Tool button. Clicking that will toggle the backend sheets.

The OnGrid Tool's VBA code is unlocked. To get to the VBA code, you first need to expose the Developer tab in the Excel ribbon menu. Here are the steps:

File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Main Tabs > Developer check box

Then, in the Developer tab, click Visual Basic.

6) How long will v6 keep working?

As long as Microsoft maintains Excel backward compatibility. Hopefully for many many more years (Microsoft has a good reputation for backward compatibility). If / when a Microsoft update breaks OnGrid Tool functionality... Mike doesn't anticipate fixing it, but you're welcome to (please consider sharing the fixed version with Mike, to post here).

v6 still points to an OnGrid server, to make possible future file updating easier. Mike will maintain this for the forseeable future. You can sever this connection by setting the VBA function InternetConnected to False.

If this doesn't answer your question, you can email Mike: mike@ongrid.net