Spreadsheet
Errors
Research shows that over 80% of decision and reporting models
using spreadsheets have spreadsheet errors in them.
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In our opinion this issue is fast becoming the Y2K of the 21st
century. The difference from Y2K is that with spreadsheets errors the losses
are real, and are increasing at an alarming rate as shown in the
spreadsheet war stories. Research by Ray Panko
on spreadsheets lead him to conclude that “In general, errors
seem to occur in a few percent of all cells, meaning that for
large spreadsheets, |
the issue is how many
errors there are, not whether an error exists. These spreadsheet error rates,
although troubling, are in line with those in programming and other
human cognitive domains”
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There are a number of common
errors that occur in excel spreadsheets. In our training section
and adjacent we have included some free excel video clips of how
these errors happen and what can be done about them. Note we are
not trying to teach you to make errors. Our experience shows
that once a developer encounters one of these errors in a real
life model and understands how it happens, the probability of
making the same error plummets. These clips try and
eliminate the need for a real life spreadsheet error by showing
what can go wrong. See how they happen here and avoid them in real
life. We have also provided a listing of the ways to avoid making
spreadsheet errors. Visit the TRAINING
page to access more information. |
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