• kingthrillgore@lemmy.ml
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    7 months ago

    This doesn’t sound like an Excel problem it sounds like a management/software upkeep/bus factor problem.

    I’m going to be the odd man out and say that Excel isn’t even that bad: I use it a lot for RPG simulations and engineering simulations, and not just because CSV is normalized. It can be part of the tech stack, but not in a mission critical way. There’s really no tool like it especially if you are doing simulations.

    • Aleric@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      100%, excel is great for spreadsheets and garbage as a database, yet so many people keep using it as a database. I’m currently pushing for my department to transition their many “excel databases” to proper databases and I’m getting mass surprised Pikachu face because no one else knows they’re not the same.

      • kingthrillgore@lemmy.ml
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        7 months ago

        Well if you’re trying to use Excel as a database, get them behind SQL Server or something. Hell, Access is a step up.

        Using Excel outside of simulation proofs is not a wise business decision, because it means (going off my experience) institutional knowledge

        • Aleric@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          Indeed, I’m pushing for SQL but work in a field that sees Excel as a huge improvement over past practices. They’re about one step removed from writing on toilet paper.

          My original career was in a much more data intensive field, so I’ve become “that guy” regarding proper data storage and hygiene. Case in point: we sit directly next to IT. Every time we talk about data collection, I’ll get up on my SQL soap box and one of the IT folks will let out a comical groan.

      • expr@programming.dev
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        7 months ago

        If you’re working with csv data, https://www.visidata.org/ >>>>> excel (assuming you’re comfortable with terminal UIs, anyway). You can very rapidly slice and dice data and for formulas and such, you can just write Python.