In a previous blog, I highlighted a troubling trend that has taken hold in the Excel community–a trend that, if left unchecked, threatens to undermine the very foundation of how we use this powerful tool in the business world. Social media, which has become the primary source of education and awareness for Excel users, is increasingly biased toward content that is visually appealing, easy to demonstrate, and trending. The result? A community more obsessed with what’s shiny and new than with what is strategically important.
The Bias of the Screen.
Let’s be clear: the dominance of social media in shaping Excel education is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it democratizes access to knowledge, enabling anyone with an internet connection to learn new skills. On the other hand, it creates a bias–a bias in favor of techniques that can be easily recorded on a screen and quickly go viral. This means the community is constantly chasing the latest trend, whether it’s dynamic arrays, XLOOKUP, or the latest Power Query feature. These are all valuable tools, but the emphasis on what’s trending creates a dangerous myopia.
The Neglect of Strategic Thinking.
This bias toward the visually demonstrable inevitably leads to a neglect of the less glamorous but far more critical aspects of Excel use–namely, strategic thinking, solution-oriented approaches, and creativity. The truth is, before we even touch the keyboard to create a spreadsheet, there are crucial considerations that must be addressed. What is the goal of this spreadsheet? What problem are we trying to solve? How will this data be used? These are not the kinds of questions that generate likes and shares on social media, but they are the questions that determine whether a spreadsheet becomes a powerful tool or a chaotic mess.
The Jackson Pollock Effect: Excel Hell.
This neglect is not just an academic concern; it has real-world consequences. I call it the Jackson Pollock effect–also known as Excel Hell. We see it time and again: spreadsheets that are a chaotic mishmash of data, formulas, and poorly thought-out designs. They’re confusing, error-prone, and ultimately useless for the purpose they were intended. This isn’t just bad practice; it’s dangerous. And yet, because these foundational aspects of Excel use are not sexy enough for social media, they continue to be ignored.
Fueling the Excel Bashing Industry.
This situation is alarming for another reason: it provides endless ammunition for the Excel bashing industry. We’ve all heard the criticisms–Excel is outdated, Excel is error-prone, Excel isn’t suitable for business use. And yet, those of us who truly understand the power of Excel know that this is complete bullshit. The problem isn’t Excel; the problem is how it’s being used. Or rather, how it’s being misused, thanks to the skewed focus perpetuated by social media.
Time to Redress the Balance.
It’s time to redress this imbalance. As a community, we need to shift our focus away from what’s trending and towards what’s truly important. We need to prioritize strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and the careful planning that should precede the creation of any spreadsheet. This isn’t about rejecting new features or dismissing trends–those have their place. But they should not be our primary focus.
The bottom line is this: Excel is an incredibly powerful tool, but only when used correctly. By focusing on substance over style, we can help ensure that Excel is used to its full potential, rather than as a vehicle for flashy but ultimately meaningless content. Let’s help each other by sharing the knowledge that matters–the knowledge that will lead to better spreadsheets, better decisions, and ultimately, better business outcomes.
Hope that gave you food for thought. You were listening to a podcast by Hiran de Silva. Red by Bill.
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