One of the most serious, longstanding, but mostly overlooked issues is that desktop spreadsheets are error-prone. One-third of our research participants say that errors in data occur in the spreadsheets they use for their most important process…
Errors in spreadsheets are common, and may remain even when they are checked and, indeed, audited. The consequences of these errors can be catastrophic.
The incredible flexibility of spreadsheets places a high reliance on the people using them to ensure consistency and accuracy.
It is all too easy to create spreadsheet data errors, for example
- Wrong version of a spreadsheet is used
- A value is mistyped
- Some of the data is hidden or missing
- Cut and paste errors when not precisely selecting source and target
See 4 published examples of spreadsheet nightmares caused by simple spreadsheet data errors
- Oxford University markers mix up candidates’ marks
- $1.26 Bn taxable property overlooked
- TransAlta accidentally overspends $24M on power
- Auditor finds $6M cash discrepancy