Excel, 40 years of spreadsheet errors

The Guardian reminds us of Microsoft Excel’s bloopers reel: nearly 40 years of spreadsheet errors:

One problem was that the risk model monitoring the fateful portfolio operated “through a series of Excel spreadsheets, which had to be completed manually, by a process of copying and pasting data from one spreadsheet to another” – a process that might ring bells for some Excel veterans.

Half of these are user error, either because of the cumbersome process of using the tool, or some other. Errors with consequences.

But of few of the others are related to how Excel works, and its bugs and limitations. And in both cases it’s because Excel is used in a lot on many business scenario without much supervision. Because that’s what the person has on hand.

Previously: Excel is entering its 40th year of existence.