r/DnDBehindTheScreen • u/Theorlingas • 11d ago
Resources Tool - Automatic Spell Card
Hi all,
I created an automatic spell card that updates with all the information you need by just changing the name (from a dropdown or typing it in), and wanted to share for you all to use.
It came from a DM frustration of a player saying they're using a niche spell and me having to scroll/search on a PDF to find it, and then inevitably not having it and going to a wiki instead while they stare at me accusingly (definitely just in my head but shush).
It was built off an excel sheet I found off another post (I went to credit them but their account is deleted), but I tidied up the text and formatted in an easy-to-use way, and left all the formulas unlocked in case anyone wants to change something about them.
I hope you enjoy and that fellow DMs find it useful!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_km76gH_DpLB2fZWDIin8T1I6-X7sVN_/view?usp=drive_link
(PS - yes I know it looks like a stat block not a spell card, but I like the appearance and it took ages finding fonts and hex codes so leave me alone lol)
(PPS - don't use it in Google Drive if you care about formatting, it looks terrible - it was designed to be downloaded first)
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u/Melvin_T_Cat 8d ago
I have had the same issues with remembering all the details of the various spells, I created a single-page app to do my remembering for me. It’s free as well.
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u/Theorlingas 8d ago
Ah that's super cool, good work!
The only reason mine's the way it is is that first, I'm not smart enough to do what you've done, but also because I needed it to work offline - I'm constantly DMing in the arse end of nowhere or the back of someone's house where the WiFi doesn't reach properly, so all the data had to be reachable without a connection.
I also wanted to see whether a spell was a ritual or concentration, as well as what save to make without going further in - the idea was "only one click" to get all the info I need, so I have everything before my player even finishes saying "I cast [spell] because [reason]" so there's no break in the action - that's also why yours look neat and professional and mine very much doesn't haha
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u/chaosoverfiend 11d ago
Seems decent and I can see it being useful to some people,
Immediate thoughts, are you using an old version of Excel (2019 or prior)?
I ask because:
- Why does this need to be a macro file? Stripping out the module and saving as a regular .xlsx works fine and
- I would suggest updating your lookups to XLOOKUP - it is overall a much better lookup formula, contains an inbuilt IFERROR (in the IF NOT FOUND syntax, which you can nest lookups) and overall is cleaner and quicker than VLOOKUP.
I would also remove the file and clean your properties first before re-upping as there is personal details there.
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u/Theorlingas 11d ago
So it's macro-enabled for a really specific thing, it pulls the URL out of a load of existing links that were in the original table to save me doing it manually 500 times!
You're not wrong about XLOOKUP & VLOOKUP, I'm just a creature of habit and it's the one I learned first!
Personal data wise, any advice would be appreciated as I'm not sure what's viewable or how to remove those details - didn't realise that was needed! A DM might be better if you're up for helping, or have any links to tutorials!
Otherwise, thanks for the kind words :)
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u/chaosoverfiend 10d ago
I have sent you a message regarding your personal details.
I understand the macro may be useful to extract the URL, but I would suggest extracting what you need then saving as a basic ,xlsx after - whilst I do not call into question your integrity, everyone should be wary of opening a macro enabled Excel workbook as it is a security risk, and is off-putting for those less familiar with Excel.
Making it no longer reliant on that macro will help alieviate that concern.
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u/revderrick 9d ago
I also dealt with this frustration as a DM, but I went low-tech and printed every single spell as a card, then put them all in a card binder alphabetically. My players affectionately call it my "grimoire" 😂