Returns or sets a value that indicates whether BIFF8 SaveAs groups cells that share a template formula into native SHRFMLA records ($04BC). When True, columns of formulas like =A1*B1, =A2*B2, ..., =A99*B99 are grouped automatically into a single shared template plus per-cell deltas, matching Microsoft Excel's compact wire format and reducing file size by 30–60% on template-heavy sheets. Read/write boolean. (Default value is False, available since v2.31.0.)
Syntax
property UseSharedFormulas: Boolean;
Remarks
Grouping is column-down, contiguous, and template-based: only cells in the same column with consecutive rows and PTG-equivalent formulas are grouped. Cells with array formulas or merged-cell flags are excluded. The reading side is unaffected because HotXLS has always read SHRFMLA records correctly, so workbooks round-trip cleanly between HotXLS, Microsoft Excel, and other BIFF8 readers regardless of which side emits the shared form.
Default is False, keeping the existing per-cell FORMULA record emission unchanged so applications that never touch the setter behave exactly as before v2.31.0.
Example
This example opts a workbook into shared-formula emission before saving as a BIFF8 .xls file.
Workbook.UseSharedFormulas := True;
Workbook.SaveAs('Report.xls', xlExcel97);