The Excel form is set-up so that all 15 grids (triskaidekaphobia allows for a skipped grid #) are filled in when Grid #1 is completed. All grids are then available to chase numerous rabbits via highlighting, building lists to the right of the grids, etc.madhatter5 wrote: โTue Feb 02, 2021 1:49 pmI don't think those copies are gibberish. There are intentionally 16 grids, all of which are normally blacked out except for the first one (they unblacked when you fill out the previous grid, if I understand correctly). So the answer is found on the 16th grid in the file:
Per feedback received, most use the form for highlighting, having already solved via online form, paper/PDF, or PUZ. (I think that Inca may solve directly in Excel.) In any case, it's a convenient way to explore many paths to the answer without paper. It's clean, fast, colorful, and repeatable.
For this puzzle, grid #16 was not blacked out until grid #1 was filled in, so that anyone scrolling to the end - to "Number Sixteen" - would then see the answer revealed. It was presumed that the grid would have to be filled-in in order to find the X, which would lead the solver to the Excel form.
Those who might have chosen to solve via the Excel form may have had the opportunity to find the solution without filling in a grid space.
Here's a MGWCC from September, "Listen 'Til the End" (when the form still sported grid #13):