Since the introduction of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) in Excel, we’ve had the capability to work with arrays–structures that allow multiple values as a collection to be stored in memory simultaneously. These arrays have always been dynamic, meaning their size can change during runtime, adapting to the needs of the solution. This powerful feature, available since 1993, has been foundational in Excel for solving complex business problems, as indeed they were in programmable calculators previously.
Fast forward to 2019, when Microsoft introduced a new type of formula that returns an array directly in a worksheet. These formulas, now known as *Dynamic Arrays*, allow users to manipulate multiple values with a single function, automatically spilling results into adjacent cells. Functions like `SORT`, `UNIQUE`, and `FILTER` brought significant new capabilities to cell-based formulas and quickly became the focus of Excel training and online content.
The result? A widespread misconception has emerged that *Dynamic Arrays* were only introduced in 2019. In reality, Excel has long supported dynamic arrays through VBA, allowing arrays of variables to exist in memory, unbounded by worksheet limitations. This misunderstanding has created confusion and has led to the loss of a valuable skill set: utilizing arrays in memory for enterprise-level solutions.
The Issue: Misdirection by Social Media.
In recent years, social media platforms have become a dominant force in shaping how people learn Excel. Trainers and influencers have poured their energy into popularizing the new *Dynamic Arrays* formulas, emphasizing their ease of use in everyday tasks. While these formulas are undoubtedly useful, this focus has overshadowed the deeper, more powerful use of arrays in VBA–arrays that can transform how Excel operates in an enterprise environment. Powerfully.
Unfortunately, many influencers lack a foundational understanding of Excel’s underlying architecture and its full potential. As a result, newer Excel users are often led to believe that Dynamic Arrays only exist in the context of cell formulas. This is a missed opportunity, particularly in business environments where memory-resident arrays, such as recordsets, can offer scalable and dynamic solutions to data processing challenges.
The Bigger Picture: Misdirection of Excel Learning.
This dynamic array misunderstanding is part of a broader issue: the misdirection of Excel learning driven by social media. Popular content is often designed for maximum engagement, not for deep, sustainable learning. Many influencers, driven by likes, views, and subscribes, focus on bite-sized tricks that are easy to consume but fail to address Excel’s true potential, particularly in enterprise contexts where scalability, collaboration, and complex data management are key. Where the real value lies. That means, money.
The widespread focus on cell-based dynamic arrays may seem like progress, but it inadvertently steers learners away from more robust solutions that have existed for decades. For enterprise Excel users, this can mean missing out on advanced techniques, such as using VBA to create and manage dynamic arrays in memory, a crucial skill for large-scale, dynamic projects that go beyond the worksheet.
Addressing the Challenge.
How can we correct this misdirection, especially given social media’s pervasive influence on how Excel is taught and learned? The first step is to raise awareness that arrays in Excel have existed far beyond what’s currently popularized. Trainers and thought leaders need to emphasize the distinction between arrays in memory (managed through VBA) and cell-based formulas, showing that both have their place, and the context in which they work.
Next, it’s critical to encourage learners to dig deeper into Excel’s capabilities beyond what social media influencers highlight. Business solutions often demand more than trendy techniques–they require scalable, flexible, and maintainable methods that can adapt as the organization grows. This is where understanding dynamic arrays in memory, VBA, and advanced data manipulation becomes invaluable.
Ultimately, Excel users need to move beyond the surface-level education offered by social media and seek out the deeper knowledge that enables true mastery. While *Dynamic Arrays* formulas are a powerful tool, they are just one piece of the much larger puzzle that is Excel’s potential in solving real-world business challenges.
This is a podcast by Hiran de Silva. Narrated by Bill.
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