Crispo - Excel Challenge 04 2026

excel-challenges
weekly-exercises
Easy Sunday Excel Challenge
Published

January 25, 2026

Illustration for Crispo - Excel Challenge 04 2026

Challenge Description

Easy Sunday Excel Challenge

⭐ Problem Solution offer 1 offer 2 offer 3 2nd Lowest

Solutions

library(tidyverse)
library(readxl)
library(unpivotr)

path <- "2026-01-25/Challenge 100.xlsx"
input <- read_excel(path, sheet = 2, range = "B3:B6")
multi <- read_excel(path, sheet = 2, range = "C2:C2", col_names = FALSE) %>%
  pull(1)
test <- read_excel(path, sheet = 2, range = "E2:E11")

result = input %>%
  mutate(Items = map(Items, ~ rep(.x, multi))) %>%
  unnest()

all.equal(result$Items, test$Solution)
# [1] TRUE

  • Logic:

    • Reads the workbook range needed for the challenge

    • Reshapes the data to the grain required by the task

    • Builds the intermediate helper columns that drive the final answer

  • Strengths:

    • The R solution stays compact and mirrors the workbook logic closely.

  • Areas for Improvement:

    • The code assumes the workbook layout and named ranges remain stable.

  • Gem:

    • The best part of the solution is choosing a tidy intermediate shape before producing the final answer.
import pandas as pd
import numpy as np

path = "2026-01-25/Challenge 100.xlsx"
input_df = pd.read_excel(path, sheet_name=1, usecols="B", skiprows=2, nrows=3)
multi = pd.read_excel(path, sheet_name=1, usecols="C", skiprows=1, nrows=1, header=None).iloc[0, 0]
test = pd.read_excel(path, sheet_name=1, usecols="E", skiprows=1, nrows=10)

result = input_df.assign(Items=input_df['Items'].map(lambda x: list(np.repeat(x, multi)))).explode('Items').reset_index(drop=True)

print(result['Items'].equals(test['Solution'])) # True

  • Logic:

    • Reads the workbook range needed for the challenge

    • Builds the intermediate helper columns that drive the final answer

  • Strengths:

    • The Python version keeps the same rule in a direct pandas-oriented workflow.

  • Areas for Improvement:

    • As with the R version, any workbook layout change would require small adjustments.

  • Gem:

    • The implementation stays close to the stated challenge instead of adding unnecessary complexity.

Difficulty Level

This task is moderate:

  • It combines familiar Excel-style logic with at least one non-trivial reshape, grouping, or parsing step.

  • The answer depends on getting the output layout exactly right.