Excuses Execrating Excel

  • Would it be true to say then, that an experienced Excel (or other spreadsheet) practitioner would be aware of the sources of error and be able to factor them into the calculation?

  • Clearly if Steve had written a poor editorial he wouldn't be putting it down to the tool he wrote it in.

    Has Word ever won a Pulitzer or Excel a Nobel Prize for Mathematics?

    Lazy journalism. Yet another reason why I no longer read newspapers,

    Gaz

    -- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

  • Spot ON! thank you for my Feel Good Article of the Day!

  • herbaltea001-winter (4/22/2013)


    Would it be true to say then, that an experienced Excel (or other spreadsheet) practitioner would be aware of the sources of error and be able to factor them into the calculation?

    So, there are two types of error to account for:

    1) Coding errors - where the user codes incorrectly

    2) Computational error - where functions cause precision/rounding issues

    For 1, there are many common issues and certainly someone experienced can put preventative steps, tests, and reconciliations in to prevent or uncover issues. For 2, it's doable to be able to highlight areas where imprecision can occur and giving a general error range, but quantifying the exact impact on the end calculation can be difficult without recourse to an outside system.

  • Coding errors are not necessarily dependent on the software, although some are easier to use than others.

  • Gary Varga (4/22/2013)


    Clearly if Steve had written a poor editorial he wouldn't be putting it down to the tool he wrote it in.

    Has Word ever won a Pulitzer or Excel a Nobel Prize for Mathematics?

    Lazy journalism. Yet another reason why I no longer read newspapers,

    Just re-read my post and want to say it is the journalism referenced in the editorial (not the editorial itself) that is lazy. Phew (already poked at Steve's ribs once today, I don't want to make him paranoid!!!)

    Gaz

    -- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

  • Gary Varga (4/22/2013)


    Gary Varga (4/22/2013)


    Clearly if Steve had written a poor editorial he wouldn't be putting it down to the tool he wrote it in.

    Has Word ever won a Pulitzer or Excel a Nobel Prize for Mathematics?

    Lazy journalism. Yet another reason why I no longer read newspapers,

    Just re-read my post and want to say it is the journalism referenced in the editorial (not the editorial itself) that is lazy. Phew (already poked at Steve's ribs once today, I don't want to make him paranoid!!!)

    Uhh, that wasn't one of Steve's editorials.

  • Ross McMicken (4/22/2013)


    Gary Varga (4/22/2013)


    Gary Varga (4/22/2013)


    Clearly if Steve had written a poor editorial he wouldn't be putting it down to the tool he wrote it in.

    Has Word ever won a Pulitzer or Excel a Nobel Prize for Mathematics?

    Lazy journalism. Yet another reason why I no longer read newspapers,

    Just re-read my post and want to say it is the journalism referenced in the editorial (not the editorial itself) that is lazy. Phew (already poked at Steve's ribs once today, I don't want to make him paranoid!!!)

    Uhh, that wasn't one of Steve's editorials.

    Good point.

    Apologies to Dave Convery...and everyone else at this rate :ermm:

    (Thanks for pointing this out Ross - credit where credit is due)

    Gaz

    -- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

  • Apologies to Dave Convery...and everyone else at this rate :ermm:

    (Thanks for pointing this out Ross - credit where credit is due)

    Not a problem... and I read your first post in the spirit it was intended.

Viewing 9 posts - 16 through 23 (of 23 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply