June 30,2003
An incorrect reference to an external spreadsheet resulted in
an overstatement of direct cost base by $2 million.
To see how external links cause errors view the External links
error video clip.
24 June 1999 Select Committee on Public Accounts Minutes
of Evidence
Spreadsheet error results in a cell showing 13% instead of the
correct 5%.
G. Edward Deseve Statement to House Small Business
Committee, 07/16/1997
Incorrect reference in a spreadsheet results in an
error in calculations.Audit of USAID/Senegal’s Casamance Conflict
Resolution Program 7-685-03-003-P May 30, 2003
A spreadsheet error in the ‘number of jobs’
spreadsheet jeopardizes funding provided.
Department of Public Service January 2002 Audit Control
# 02500734 Two significant audit findings.
A spreadsheet error overstates the direct savings to
ratepayers.Morning Call Aug 10, 2004
Overstatement in the number of pupils transported results
in incorrect funding being provided
Richmond Times-Dispatch Aug 8, 2004
A spreadsheet formula amplified a sub total amount
resulting in an overstatement of sales tax figures and therefore
sales generated at the Stony Point Fashion Park.Newport News Times OR,USA May 28, 2004 "LINCOM
nears budget resolution"
Moving data in a spreadsheet results in more cells
than expected being moved and formulae not correctly using these
moved cells.
To view how inserting rows and cells can cause errors view Insert
rows errors and Insert
cells errors video clips.
Globe and Mail, South Africa, 14 April 2004
A problem in the macro of a spreadsheet resulted in South Africa’s
1994 election control centre collapsing.March 28, 2004
Transposition error in a spreadsheet results in investigators
making incorrect accusations relating to fraud in the Highway
Department of Brookhaven.
March 17, 2004
Spreadsheet errors results in the files of former governor Tommy
Thompson that should have been archived being destroyed.November 8, 2003 Albuquerque Tribune, NM
A spreadsheet error resulted in new vote counts having to be
released because some of the bottom line totals were inaccurate.
Could be caused by inserting rows. View the video clip on inserting
rows errors to see how this can happen.
October 2003, Delta Democrat Times
Transfer of data from a spreadsheet results in entire neighborhoods
being left off the voters roll in a US townDec 27, 2002
Error in spreadsheet formulae results in understatements
of grant accruals of $1.5 million
2002: Audit Of The Colorado Student Loan Program's
Establishment And Use Of Federal And Operating Funds
A spreadsheet error results in CSLP incorrectly determining
the amount required for an operating fund. A date was misinterpreted
by Excel as a dollar amount that was included in the calculations.AUDIT SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION January
17, 2002 Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, Administrative
Services Division
Formula error in a spreadsheet results in $9.5 million
in sales tax revenue not being distributed to the General Fund
September 2000: An extract from the proceedings of
the Public Accounts committee in Ireland
Spreadsheet errors in tenders cause additional costs.1999
Vemco spreadsheet errors result in problems in calculations
of material usage and emission rates. As a result they were
unknowingly violating permit requirements. |
Examples
of what goes wrong with Spreadsheets in Government