2. limitations

Spreadsheets are code

Limitations of spreadsheets

95% of all U.S. firms use spreadsheets for

financial reporting

50% of spreadsheets form the basis for

decisions

Spreadsheets exist ‘under the radar’

Spreadsheets live 5 years on average

Average sheet is used by 12 people

33% of spreadsheets has a manual

Complex spreadsheets can to disaster

The European Spreadsheet Risk Interest

Group (Eusprig.org) collects horror stories

Like a puppy

A few scenarios where Excel is

not optimal and alternatives

Setting 9 on machine A was wrong!

Supposed to be 20 instead of 24

Can we fix it?

Sure, we can filter, but is there a

better way?

There is some duplication going on here

Limitations of spreadsheets

* Updating non-normalized data

- A solution is: normalize first

- Another is: use a database

Loads and loads of data

Loads and loads of data

24 hours, 1 measurement a second,

15 machines >> Excel row limit

Limitations of spreadsheets

* Updating non-normalized data

- A solution is: normalize first

- Another is: use a database

* Handling millions of records

Limitations of spreadsheets

* Updating non-normalized data

- A solution is: normalize first

- Another is: use a database

* Handling millions of records

- Use a BI tool, database or program

Limitations of spreadsheets

* Updating non-normalized data

- A solution is: normalize first

- Another is: use a database

* Handling millions of records

- Use a BI tool, database or program

* Complex data analysis

- Use scientific tools