Excel has functions. For example, it can replace P' with ϕ using
=SUBSTITUTE(B3, "P'", "ϕ")(assume B3 is the column/cell with a Greek
inscription)
You can put the formula into a single cell, and copy it to an entire
column. Poof! Instantly the whole
column has no P'.
To replace all of the
ISEGRIM multi-character letters, we must combine
SUBSTITUTE() by nesting:
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(B3, "P''", "Ψ"), "P'", "ϕ"), "T'", "θ"), "S'", "Ϛ"), "Y'", "Υ"), "X'", "Χ")
We can also replace other letters for pretty-printing. For example, we can nest in a replacement for D to Δ
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(=SUBSTITUTE(B3, "
D", "
Δ"), "P''", "Ψ"), "P'", "ϕ"), "T'", "θ"), "S'", "Ϛ"), "Y'", "Υ"), "X'", "Χ")
Perhaps you don't want Greek letters. You can use the same scheme but replace the Greek letters with your favorite Latin substitutes such as Q.
Perhaps you don't want formulas in your spreadsheet. There is a way around this. The idea is to customize the spreadsheet as little as possible, so that if the
ISEGRIM people release a new dump we can easily bring it in.
To create the user-friendly version, load the vanilla version. Create a new pair of columns, one for
obverse inscription, one for
reverse, using these formulas. Then, copy the new columns and "Paste->Special (Values)" the new columns over the original columns. Then delete the formula columns.
Use the power of Excel to save your time and eyesight.