Excel University Sparkline

Errors in spreadsheets are indeed a problem. Since Excel is so flexible by default, it allows anyone to type anything into any cell at any time. While this creates an environment that allows us to build just about anything we can imagine, it also means it is easy to accidentally introduce an error. Something as simple as typing a value into a formula cell can break the workbook.

One of my favorite managers of all time, Mike G, taught me to carefully review each number in every deliverable before sending it to management. He said, basically, if you ever give them a report that contains an error, your reputation will be tarnished and it will be hard for them to fully trust your future reports. It sounds extreme, but he was right.

The good news is that Excel has many built-in features that help to prevent or detect errors. They include things like data validation, worksheet protection, conditional formatting, and locked cells. In addition to such built-in features, good workbook design and user skills can dramatically reduce the likelihood that errors make their way into a final report.

Things like writing reliable formulas, splitting data from the report, automation, PivotTables, using the correct cell reference styles, anticipating errors, selecting optimal functions, using Tables, eliminating helper columns, using Power Query, and creating an Error Check worksheet will all help to minimize or eliminate errors. For the Excel Topic this week, I'll share an article that shows specifically how I like to set up my Error Check worksheets.