A while back I tried an experiment using Excel as a Twitter client.  I didn’t think there was much use for it; it was just a little bit of fun.  Today, however, I’m going to use the same approach with something that might actually be useful.  Using the new My Tweeple API, I developed a spreadsheet that allows you to download your Twitter friends and followers.  Not only that, but you can follow and unfollow right from the spreadsheet (at least that’s the idea).

 

 

Excel macros can be finicky when it comes to images and links.  Expect some pieces to break.

Download the spreadsheet and follow the instructions below:

1. Signon to My Tweeple.
2. Click Tools>>Settings.
3. Grab the API Key and API Secret.
4. Back in the spreadsheet, click Settings.
5. Enter the API Key and Secret.
6. Click Sync Request – Your Twitter data will be cached in a special place on the My Tweeple server.  This could take some time.  I might have placed something in there about waiting 24 hours, but it only took a few minutes during my tests.  The idea is that patience is required for the sync.
7. After you’ve given the sync some time, click Refresh.  If the data is ready, your information will be downloaded into the spreadsheet.

Avatars result in slower row updates so you can use the checkbox to control the display.

Click Refresh as often as you want.  You’ll continue to download from the cached data.

You should be able to click the Follow and Unfollow links in the spreadsheet to take action.

As I mentioned, this is experimental for now, but it could prove to be a useful tool.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.  With a little more work, maybe you’ll be able to manage your Twitter friends and followers all from Excel.