I Never Knew Excel Could do THAT!
Jeff Robson
Managing Director, GAICD, NED, International Speaker. Focussed on helping businesses harness the full potential of their data to make smarter, more informed decisions.
Spreadsheets have come a long way since they were invented in 1979!
They’re not the answer to everything … but they may well be the answer to more than you think because this is what we hear all the time:
"I Never Knew Excel Could do THAT!"
There are 3 classic mistakes organizations constantly make when they're thinking about spreadsheets:
Mistake 1: “Everyone knows Excel”
Everyone can use Excel. Even your mom can type numbers into boxes! It’s easy … right?
But because everyone has it and can use it in some capacity, virtually everyone is self-taught, their knowledge is limited and they usually develop bad habits.
This leads to disorganized spreadsheets that are difficult to use, error-prone and inefficient and spreadsheets get a bad name.
The way most companies try to address this is by sending staff on a one-day course.
However this has limited usefulness because it dumps a lot of information on staff in a very short space of time and doesn’t provide much opportunity to apply the new knowledge.
Furthermore, once the course is over, staff are left on their own to figure out how to apply what they've learned to what they do on a daily basis.
Mistake 2: “It’s just a Spreadsheet”
The greatest trick Microsoft ever pulled was convincing the world that Excel is just a spreadsheet!
“Excel is just a spreadsheet" so it’s not important … right?
Companies that adopt this view rarely take an objective, expert look at the spreadsheets in daily use to see what they're doing or how they're being used. Yet there isn’t a company alive today that doesn’t depend heavily on spreadsheets to run their business!
If spreadsheets aren’t important, how come they run your business?
They’re only important when there’s an issue. Then they’re REALLY important!
Mistake 3: “You don’t need any Controls”
Spreadsheets are normally outside IT’s control. All IT does is keep Excel running, install new versions and perhaps provide some technical support when users get out of their depth (e.g. connecting to a database).
This is both a strength, because users can do stuff for themselves (the main reason spreadsheets have been so successful), and a weakness, since they are uncontrolled and typical development standards and methods aren't applied.
As a result of their misuse, some consider spreadsheets to be an evil virus that should be eradicated from the enterprise!
It’s cute when someone expresses the goal of eradicating spreadsheets … it will never happen! They’re so useful, no company can live without them!
While we agree 100% that spreadsheets aren’t the answer to everything, companies shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Instead of trying to eradicate spreadsheets, companies would be far better off redirecting their efforts towards utilizing spreadsheets properly. This would achieve a far greater return, plus they’d have a much higher chance of success.
Download the Full Report to find out:
- Why Excel is the most under-utilized software in the world
- How Excel has more potential to benefit your business than you realize
- 6 proven ways that will unlock Excel's massive potential in your organization
Data Management Expert | Data Analyst | Excel Trainer | PowerApps Developer | Author | Project Manager | Excel Microsoft MVP
7 年Interesting stuff. I have downloaded the full report. well done
CTO at Combine Capital
8 年I 100% agree. The capabilities of the products are endless. I am amazed at some of the things that people can do with Excel.
Présidente chez Cofinia conseil, Premium Zoho Partner, EO Chapitre Québec, Coach en résidence Le Camp
9 年I agree and it would be interesting to know what standards are considered best practices. Thank you for sharing.
Data Collection Analyst at Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems
9 年I whole heartedly agree with Jeff. While I consider myself to be no expert in Excel, I have been using it daily for at least 15 years. I teach Excel at the beginners level to adults through our school system's Adult Education Department. I am amazed at how much I learn every time I teach the course. You tend to use only what you know and seldom take time to see what else is there. Exposure to other Excel functions, either through videos or using a printed text, will add to the productivity tools you have at your disposal. I can attest to all the points in Jeff's article.
Account Manager at MellowoodMedical
9 年The illusion that everybody can use excel and that you can learn that in one day is so true.