1. A macro calculating the total absences is very much much better than formulae because there is less chance by the user deleting a macro than a formula, even if the formulae is sheet protected. However, would the macro be affected if say on June 12, there was no classes. Under the column of June 12, I merge the cells then overwrite the formula to Independence Day (vertical text). To prevent the macro for triangles activating the shape for cutting classes, I insert a symbol that looks like c to represent the letter c in the word independence. I do the same for no classes with reasons containing letter L, the macro code for tardy.

2. We retain the T/O and T/I because they are codes by order of the department of education. T/O for Transferred Out learners, T/I for Transferred In, DRP for Dropped, and surprise, just straight LE for Late Enrollment.