Excel is the World’s Most Used ‘Database’.
is the bold claim by Jason L. Baptiste. He is probably right, and he is definitely right to be alarmed about how many people are using spreadsheets for data that really should be in a database.
This is not a new problem. Even Microsoft’s Excel product team in the early days were surprised to discover that most people were not doing calculations, they were
using Excel because it was a convenient way to create a table
What Are The Options?
1 We see spreadsheets being used every day, for all sorts of business processes.
For a small team, spreadsheets are quick and easy. But when you try to collect information from lots of people across the organisation, they soon turn into a nightmare.
- Different versions flying around on email
- Not using the latest version
- Cut and paste errors
- Accidentally sending to the wrong person
- Mistakes in formulae
2 So, there comes a point where you decide that you need to build a proper system.
Which means investing significant time and effort in design, development, and deployment.
Then when everything is live, the requirements change!
A proper system provides scalability and efficiency – but at the expense of flexibility.
Spreadsheet or System?
3 Now, there is a third option.
LiveDataset is Fast. Flexible. Scalable.
LiveDataset is easy to use, like a spreadsheet. And organised for many people, like a database.
Building a system with LiveDataset is similar to building with Lego. Datasets are the building blocks, they can quickly be snapped together and then adjusted as processes evolve.
Spreadsheets vs Systems
We can stop the spread of spreadsheet-based business processes. See the 3rd option for yourself.
Stretched the mind, and brings clarity to a new system! Thanks!!