Summary
Excel, a Microsoft software used for spreadsheets, is still widely popular despite being 40 years old. It’s heavily used in businesses for data analysis, but some experts see it as outdated, posing risks due to its decentralized and often undocumented data management. Efforts to replace it with more integrated systems face resistance from users who are accustomed to Excel.
Key Facts
- Excel is a 40-year-old software owned by Microsoft.
- Two-thirds of office workers use Excel at least once every hour.
- Experts like Prof. Mark Whitehorn highlight that Excel's decentralized use can lead to security and data management issues.
- Excel macros, which automate tasks, can create problems if not properly documented or if key individuals leave an organization.
- Health New Zealand relied on Excel for financial management, which led to data difficulties and errors.
- The UK faced issues in 2023 during the recruitment process due to spreadsheet confusion.
- Organizations like Telus are trying to move away from Excel to achieve better data management and integration.
- Microsoft states that Excel remains popular and usage has been growing consistently over the past six years.
