Flexible multiple spreadsheet data consolidation system

1. A method of consolidating data from multiple spreadsheets comprising:

storing a custom search, wherein the custom search enables execution of a predetermined search, wherein the predetermined search includes a search of a user-selected subset of cells, rows and columns of one or more of the spreadsheets;

receiving a selection of a plurality of spreadsheets via a graphical control panel, the graphical control panel comprising a spreadsheet selection area that includes a workbook selection area to select workbooks that are not open for inclusion in the selection of the plurality of spreadsheets;

receiving a selection of portions of data from files corresponding to each of the plurality of spreadsheets;

wherein the portions of data comprise results of the custom search within the plurality of spreadsheets; and

executing automated consolidation of the portions of data, wherein the automated consolidation comprises:

retrieving the portions of data; generating a final report spreadsheet;

appending the portions of data to the final report spreadsheet; and

appending information identifying sources of the portions of data to the final report spreadsheet.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the portions of data include at least one workbook.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the portions of data include at least one worksheet.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a selection of portions of data further comprises receiving, via the graphical control panel, a selection of at least one of filenames, workbook names, worksheet names, and spreadsheet names of at least one file included in the plurality of spreadsheets.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically appending additional data to the final report spreadsheet, wherein the additional data is not within the plurality of spreadsheets.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the additional data includes workbook names that designate original locations of the portions of data.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the additional data includes spreadsheet names to designate where the portions of data were originally located.

8. A computer storage readable medium encoded with computer executable instructions to:

receive a selection of a plurality of spreadsheets via a graphical control panel, the graphical control panel comprising a spreadsheet selection area that includes a select all open workbooks selection to enable a search of all open workbooks, the selection of the plurality of spreadsheets comprising all open workbooks when the select all open workbooks selection is selected, the spreadsheet selection area including a workbook selection area to select workbooks that are not open for inclusion in the selection of the plurality of spreadsheets;

receive a selection of first portions of data from the plurality of spreadsheets via the graphical control panel;

identify second portions of data from the plurality of selected spreadsheets via a preprogrammed search wherein the preprogrammed search specifies a user-selected subset of cells, rows, and columns of one or more spreadsheets; and

generate a final report comprising:

the first and second portions of data; and

workbook names to designate where the first and second portions of data were originally located.

9. The computer storage readable medium of claim 8 , further comprising computer executable instructions to allow a user to define the preprogrammed search.

10. A multiple spreadsheet data consolidation system comprising:

a computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, the computer readable storage medium including a controller, the controller including a custom search module adapted to execute a preprogrammed search to identify desired portions of data;

wherein the controller is adapted to:

display a graphical control panel on a monitor, the graphical control panel comprising a spreadsheet selection area to receive a selection of a plurality of spreadsheets that include the desired portions of data, the spreadsheet selection area comprising a select all open spreadsheets selection to select execution of the preprogrammed search on all open spreadsheets wherein the preprogrammed search specifies a user-selected subset of cells, rows, and columns of one or more spreadsheets, and the spreadsheet selection area comprising a workbook selection area to select workbooks that are not open for inclusion in the selection of the plurality of spreadsheets;

generate a final report spreadsheet;

append the desired portions of data to the final report spreadsheet; and

append spreadsheet names identifying sources of the desired portions of data to the final report spreadsheet.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the spreadsheet selection area comprises a worksheet selection area.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the spreadsheet selection area comprises a worksheet subset selector.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the graphical control panel further comprises a status indicator.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the graphical control panel further comprises an event logger adapted to track generation of the final report spreadsheet and to report the tracking during generation of the final report spreadsheet, wherein the event logger presents consolidation events as the consolidation events are being performed.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the spreadsheet selection area comprises a window to receive the selection of the plurality of spreadsheets.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the graphical control panel is a consolidation tool.