import re


def _parse_address(addr='XFD1048576') -> str:
    """
    Parses the address given using a regexp and returns a cleaned string that can be split
    Accepts any valid excel cell address definition, incl. absoulte adresses with $.
    :param addr:
    :return:
    """
    patt = re.match(r'^(\$?[A-Z]{1,3}\$?\d{1,7})$', addr)
    if patt is None:
        raise ValueError('Could not parse the address {}'.format(addr))
    else:
        return patt.group(0).replace('$', '')