USER MANUAL
For TOS Version 7

Table of Content

1. Acknowledgements
2. Introduction
3. Shareware
4. Support
5. The Mailing list
6. The Forum
7. The Worksheets
8. Welcome Worksheet
9. Control Worksheet
10. The FRONT worksheet:
    1. Character information
    2. The Attack sections
    3. The Skills
    4. Spending Skill Points
    5. The Options
11. The BACK worksheet
    1. Armor, Shield & Protective Items
    2. Spell and Features
12. XP (Experience)
13. Notes
14. Treasure
15. Companions:
    1. Animal
    2. Familiar
    3. Mount
    4. Psicrystal
16. Stats (Statistics)
17. Planners:
    1. Spell Planners
    2. Power Planners
    3. Spell Books
    4. Spell Lists
18. Customize
19. Race
20. Class
21. Class Features
22. Skills
23. Data Worksheets:
    1. Animal Data
    2. Gear Data
    3. Power Data
    4. Spell Data
24. Tables

THIS WORKBOOK IS DISTRIBUTED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. NO RESPONSIBILITIES FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGES OR EVEN FUNCTIONALITY CAN BE TAKEN. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THIS WORKBOOK AND TO MAKE SURE IT IS FUNCTIONAL ON HIS SYSTEM. ALL THE FORMULAS CREATED IN THIS WORKBOOK REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR.

Acknowledgements

There are many people who have contributed one way or the other, to make this Sheet what it is today. Each time a bug was found, an idea voiced or a proposal sent, that action brought the Sheet closer to perfection - which is a goal by itself. Here I would like to Thank all those wonderful people who have contributed to this project, one way or the other. One special hug goes to my friend Tammy, who was the first one to encourage me in this. If, back in December 2003, you would have told me where the Sheet is today, I would have laughed quite hard... but it seems that The Only Sheet has been recognized as one of the best (if not The Best) Excel Character Sheet available today for the serious gamer! So to all of you, I say:

THANK YOU !
Richard Taillon, Canada

Introduction

The Only Sheet is a Microsoft Excel¹ workbook which has been designed² to automate many aspects of character maintenance for players of the Dungeons & Dragons version 3.5 game published by Wizards of the Coast. This whole project started in November 2003, when I was preparing a character for a new upcoming campaign. After searching on the Web for all available sheets, I realized that the sheets available were of poor quality - they were ugly in almost all cases, and very complex to use. I then decided to do my own self-calculating Excel character Sheet while keeping in mind two important aspects: It had to be easy to use and it had to be great looking! 

The Only Sheet is entirely based on the System Reference Document, which is part of the Open Game License. So basically, it uses only legal information and does not infringe on any copyrights. Unfortunately, few character sheet author [if any!] respect the copyrights of game companies.

^{1 Developed using Excel 2003 on Windows (it may be compatible with some older versions) - The Sheet is not compatible non-Microsoft spreadsheets.
2 Designed with the Newbie in mind - you don't have to be an Excel Expert to use The Sheet!}

Shareware

The Only Sheet [now referred to as 'the Sheet'] is Shareware: This means that if you wish to access all the features of the Sheet, you must register it. A Demo version of the Sheet is available to anyone in the download section of the Homepage (http://TheOnlySheet.com). This demo allows the creation of up to 3 classes at a maximum of 2 levels each. But only the registered version of the Sheet allows unlimited use of the Sheet's features. Check the Register section on the homepage for the benefits of registering the Sheet and how to register. Once registration is completed, the user will receive, by email, his Personal Key which can be used to unlock the full potential of the Sheet. Furthermore, the registered user can (if he desires) join the Online Community of the Sheet where people share their Characters, Races and Classes!

Why is the Sheet shareware, when there are other sheets available for free? The Only Sheet is a step above the crowd of common Character Sheets. No other Sheet is as meticulously built as this one.  If you do your homework, you'll quickly see the difference between those free sheets, and this one. You can even ask yourself how many Character Sheet come with an instruction manual...

Who is this character sheet for? This character Sheet is intended for a mature audience which have high standard in quality, ease of use, professional output and respect for intellectual property. 70% of users are above 30 years of age! 

Registration is more than simply getting a one time Sheet - Registration is:

• Access to all features of the Sheet
• Future Updates available for free
• Technical Support (provided thru the Forum)
• Access to all sections of the Forum (including the section with User created Races and Classes)

Support

There are several sources which are provided to assist the [registered] user make the best out of the Sheet:

• The Instruction Manual: You're reading it now. It's the first thing you should read. It contains much information [Editor's Note: because of the many updates done to the Sheet, it's possible this manual is lagging behind - please be patient while it is being updated].
• The FAQ: Available from the Sheet's website, the Frequently Asked Questions is a repository of questions with answers. Questions from Users may be added to the FAQ or this manual depending on the nature of the inquiry.
• The Mailing list: An excellent place to receive News about the Sheet. Check the Mailing List section for details on how to join.
• The Forum: User support is provided exclusively thru the community Forum of the Sheet. If you have a question, check out the Forum - perhaps someone already asked the same question.

The Mailing List

Created in January 2005, the Mailing List for The Only Sheet is a good way to keep in touch for those people who are too busy to join the Forum. News about the Sheet can be received from time to time. Note that the Mailing List cannot be replied to - No user other then myself can post messages to the Mailing list. This is done so that the Mailing List as the smallest footprint as possible - If you wish to take an active part of the Sheet's Community (and it's development) you should consider joining the Forum!
 

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheOnlySheet/

The Forum

Created at the end of May 2005, the growing Community Forum is where support is provided to all registered users of the Sheet. Although anyone can join the Forum, only Registered Users can access all the sections!

The goals of the Forum are many:

• Provide a way to share Character, custom Races and custom Classes
• Provide technical support for all registered users of the Sheet
• Provide the latest News about the Sheet and it's ongoing development
• Provide an outlet for new ideas and suggestions to improve the Sheet
• Conduct Polls to help direct further development
• Provide sections for varied discussions & topics

Because of it's public nature, here are a few reminders and rules for the Forum: 

• Many people use the Sheet - if you see an "obvious" bug in the Sheet, please double-check - Perhaps the problem is not in the Sheet, but how it's used.
• Issues, Errors and Bugs should always be sent the the "The Insect Plague [Sheet Issues]" section of the Forum. Before posting the error, check to see if you have the latest version of the Sheet! Bugs are destroyed on a regular basis.
• Before posting a question, check to see if it was not already posted before (you can use the Search feature of the Forum) and check the other sources of help (see Support above)
• Keep messages in their proper sections (each section has its specific topic - Should I add a Topic ? Let me know!)
• Be polite, respect other's opinions, stay civilized and do NOT use any foul language or Religious views.
• Remember that the Sheet is used worldwide: Some people do not have English as their primary language, so please bear that in mind and avoid commenting on such.

Failure to adhere to the above rules may get you kicked from the Forum. Remember that this is a free service I provided for the Sheet's Community - but I expect you to behave with respect to others!

To join the Community Forum, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to http://theonlysheet.com/forum and click on Register - Follow the procedure & please add your Country/State in the Location field
2. Once completed, send an email to admin@theonlysheet.com and include:
   • The Nickname you used for the Forum
   • Your Real name, as used when you registered the Sheet with PayPal
   • The Email you used when you registered the Sheet with PayPal

That's it! Upon confirmation that you are indeed a registered user of the Sheet, you will be granted access to the Registered Sections of the Sheet!

The Worksheets

The Sheet is actually an Excel workbook which contains many worksheets. There are basically 2 types of Worksheets: Printable worksheets [which can be printed] and non-printable worksheets. Many non-printable worksheets are hidden from view since their role is to support the printable worksheets - you can always unhide any worksheet using the Format->Sheet->Unhide menu option in Excel. Printable worksheet are what Users will play his D&D game with. Here is a list of all worksheets:

More and more users are using the Sheet directly in-game with their laptops!