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MSFS Addon Compatibility List
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README
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PRO-TIP: If on a smaller screen - zoom out a bit on the Master/Filter Sheet to ensure your display is showing column headers and other important information.
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What is the MSFS Compatibility List?
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The MSFS Compatibility List was created so people can begin collecting a database of marketplace addons and their stability, which now supports both XBOX and PC platforms. This sheet was created to help people make more informed decisions regarding making purchases via the official marketplace, which can otherwise be made difficult because of compatibility issues between 3rd party addons and the XBOX testing environment, other add-ons, mods and peripherals, the simulator itself and the speed of updates deployed to the marketplace.
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Adding a new entry to the "Master Sheet"
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No special permissions or skills required, simply navigate to the "Master Sheet" which can be found along the bottom of the spreadsheet (alongside the "README" sheet and the "Filter Sheet"), scroll down to the next available row in the list and start filling in the information. there is no need to 'save' or 'apply' your data once it's been input, the sheet automatically saves every time a cell gets updated. Please leave your font settings and size alone! A number of cells work as drop down lists, which populate as users input data into these cells manually. If the developer or peripheral you're looking for does not appear in their respective drop down lists, simply type it into the cell manually and it will be added as a selection to the drop down list for future entries.
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Editing an existing entry
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Editing an existing entry is exactly the same as making a new one. Highlight the cell you want to edit and start typing. Please make sure the entry you're editing reflects your platform. Once finished, make sure you update the date of last edit, and update your name in the editor column. Please do not delete any data that already exists in an entry; only add to it. If you feel you want to delete anything, it's probably best to create a whole new entry for the add-on.
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Should I add an entry for an already existing add-on?
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The MSFS Compatibility List is most useful when the entries are fleshed out and meaningful. Due to this, if an entry exists for your add-on and it is on the same platform, always see if you can add to that entry before creating a duplicate one. You can quickly search to see if your add-on already exists by using the "Filter Sheet". Don't forget to update the date and name column when editing an existing entry!
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The Traffic Light System
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Each entry gets categorised under a traffic light system; Green, Yellow or Red. Each entry must only be categorised by one traffic light, which mean the following; Green: None or acceptable issues with full playability, Yellow: Caution! Playable but with minor errors needing attention, Red: Should currently be avoided due to issues heavily restricting use. It is okay to change a traffic light categorisation, but please make sure that any reported issues or incompatibilities with the add-on have now been resolved (or made worse) before doing so, while also adding a comment to explain your decision. You must also update the date and name columns after making your changes.
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Adding incompatabilities to an entry
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Each add-on entry has the capability of having particular add-ons, software and peripherals assigned to it, to report the add-on is incompatable with them. These fields work as drop down lists that self populate when a user manually types something these cells. Simply put, if the add-on, software or peripherals you're looking for are not in the drop down list for selection, manually type it in and it will be added to the drop down list for future entries!
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Making your entry "meaningful"
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Meaningful and credible entries are important to ensure the information provided is trustworthy and reflects what another potential user may experience. To best make your entry as meaningful as possible, please ensure all necessary fields are completed and the entry has the right date and editor name assigned to it. One of the most useful features is the ability to assign a "Link to Discussion", which should take users to a useful discussion on the problems with the add-on in question. This link may direct a user to the developer's official forum where a thread exists debating the issues reported, or a useful thread on the issues on the MSFS forums. This link can be used to ensure the entry can be easily checked, updated and followed. Please also make sure that your traffic light categorisation is well considered and reasonable by reminding yourself of their definitions.
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How to search through the MSFS Compatibility List
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As the MSFS Compatibility List grows, it gets harder to scan through. Thankfully there are multiple ways you can locate an add-on quickly, or cherry pick certain types of entries for comparison. To search the list for a particular word, use the "find" tool that is built into the spreadsheet platform (located in menu options). To only show all add-ons by a particular developer, or all add-ons that are "Airports" categorised with a "green" traffic light, for example; switch to the Filter sheet found along the bottom of the spreadsheet.
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The Filter Sheet provides a useful way to sift through the data compiled in the Master Sheet. It allows you to filter all entries by a customised mixture of different criteria, such as add-on name, developer name, add-on type, platform, or traffic light categorisation. For example; this will enable you to see all add-ons created by LVFR that are reported as being fully compatible on a particular platform of your choice, or you could simply search for all entries that exist for Airport Static Aircraft across all platforms, regardless of categorisation.
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Enteries formatted in bold
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You may notice that some enteries automatically turn bold when entered into the MSFS Compatibility List. This is a function that is designed to highlight enteries that are likely to be more "meaningful" and they may be entries that you'd want to give more weight towards when considering duplicate entries. At the time of writing, an entry will be bold if it satisfies either one of two criteria; the entry is rated Green and has been checked or updated in the last 3 months, or, if the entry is rated Yellow or Red - it has both a "Link to Discussion" provided and it has been updated or checked in the last 3 months.
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