Excel strikes again. There were only two outcomes and the spreadsheet got it wrong. You'd be better flipping a coin. … [Read more...]
And if thine data offend Excel, change it
I've written numerous articles on issues with spreadsheets and why they shouldn't play any part in a data analytics pipeline. However, trying to persuade people to stop defaulting to Excel is a thankless task. So, it was no surprise (but very depressing) to read that geneticists changed their naming conventions to prevent Excel mangling their data. My dismay was alleviated, partially, by a great … [Read more...]
16,000 coronavirus cases missed by Excel
When the lead story in the Daily Mail complains about Excel misuse in its headline you know things have gone too far. 15,841 coronavirus cases were excluded from UK government figures as a result of ...an Excel spreadsheet reaching its maximum file size, which stopped new names being added in an automated process. Apparently these details were not supplied to the "track and trace" … [Read more...]
7 problems with spreadsheets
Using Excel in business critical operations is risky to the point of recklessness. Phocas have just published an article highlighting seven problems with spreadsheets. The problems are susceptibility to human errors difficulties in troubleshooting lack of agility lack of collaborative features lack of support for rapid decision-making degree of complexity for the average business user security … [Read more...]