The Excel Paradox – What It Means for You
Excel is the most democratizing productivity application in the world. It empowers users at every level to manage their businesses and accomplish tasks efficiently.
Excel is an insanely powerful, all-in-one programming platform. Unlocking its full potential requires spreadsheets handcrafted by dedicated, skilled professionals.
Those two statements stand in stark contrast. So, which is true?
They both are. THAT is the paradox of Excel.
Excel’s Ubiquity and Complexity
Consider your workplace. If you have access to a computer, chances are good Excel is installed on it. If you work with numbers, chances are even higher that you use Excel. If you use Excel, I’d wager it is an indispensable tool. Its presence and utility are nearly universal.
Then, there’s the other side. Even twenty years ago, mastering Excel required you to spend most of your working hours living in Excel, developing spreadsheets. Today, with the additions of Power Query, Python, Office Scripts, Dynamic Array Functions, and Lambda – combined with VBA, Pivot Tables, and all those legacy functions –becoming an expert only happens if you spend ALL your time in Excel.
Does that mean you should give up on learning advanced Excel functions? Should you simply outsource your spreadsheet development? Of course not!
Well, then how do you navigate the Excel paradox? That all depends on what you need to do.
Mission Critical Spreadsheets – Done For You (DFY)
Some spreadsheets are essential to your business operations:
- Every month you pull data from your accounting system to create a dashboard for the C-suite.
- Everyone on your team uses a pricing calculator to create bids and proposals.
- Every two weeks you use Excel to run payroll and create billing invoices.
For these mission-critical spreadsheets, it is wise to have them “Done For You” by an Excel expert. Excel pros can design robust solutions that are fast, secure, “easy-to-use” and “hard-to-break.” Their knowledge of advanced formulas, good data handling, and proper design results in spreadsheets that function like self-contained applications. In the end, you’ll save time, money, and headaches.
Repeated Activities – Done With You (DWY)
There are Excel tasks you find yourself performing regularly:
- Exporting CSV files, copying and pasting the data into Excel, and generating reports.
- Cloning worksheets to add new periods, such as weeks, months, or years.
If you frequently repeat similar activities, consider working “Done With You” alongside an expert. Mentorship in areas like Power Query can literally save you hours every month. Being tutored on the basics of good spreadsheet design will not only help you build better spreadsheets, it will gently guide you into the realm of dynamic array functions and other modern features. Working with a pro in just a few key areas will supercharge your Excel experience.
Ad Hoc and Peripheral Spreadsheets – Do It Yourself (DIY)
Sometimes you just need a quick answer:
- The boss wants to know what sales were for Black Friday weekend for the past three years.
- You just want a spreadsheet to track your fantasy football team.
There are countless ways you need to – and can – use Excel. So, use it! Do it yourself! Experience is the best teacher. Throw in a few YouTube videos and some LinkedIn Learning, and you’ll be amazed at how your Excel knowledge grows.
The Paradox that isn’t a Paradox
Excel’s ubiquity and accessibility lead us to think, “I should be able to make a spreadsheet.” Instead, think about Excel like some other common skills: cooking or home repair. There are times to do it yourself. There are benefits to learning alongside someone more skilled. And, there are times to leave it to a professional. Make the right choice, and you’ll thank yourself for it.
