In an era dominated by social media and self-promotion, it’s increasingly challenging to separate hype from practical value. The Good Spreadsheet Project was created to address this challenge, particularly within the realm of Excel and spreadsheet-based data management. With social media awash in content–videos, webinars, articles, and posts–that make bold claims about spreadsheet techniques, this project aims to bring an empirical, objective evaluation to the forefront. The ultimate goal of the Good Spreadsheet Project is to establish a foundation of research and evidence-based analysis to identify the best approaches in spreadsheet management, grounded in real-world applicability.
The Hype Cycle of Social Media and Excel Techniques.
Today’s social media platforms, with their algorithms geared toward engagement, push content creators to present techniques and tools as groundbreaking and essential, often without sufficient context or a genuine critical analysis of their limitations. Consider the structure of a typical YouTube tutorial: usually five to ten minutes long, it focuses on eye-catching aspects of Excel with thumbnails that promise “game-changing” techniques. It’s no surprise that Power Query, Dynamic Arrays, XLOOKUP, and Lambda functions dominate these trending titles. But while these videos are designed to get clicks, they rarely cover the contexts in which these techniques excel–or fail.
This focus on brevity and simplicity has a downside. It limits meaningful discussion and understanding of the scenarios where these techniques might actually apply or where they could lead to inefficiencies. Without this level of insight, viewers are left with a superficial understanding that can lead to significant issues when applied in real-world settings. For instance, a five-minute video on Power Query might spark hours of in-depth conversation about its pros, cons, and applicability in complex environments–conversations that social media, with its emphasis on simplicity, tends to overlook.
The Need for Contextual and Comparative Analysis.
The Good Spreadsheet Project steps into this void, not to garner likes or subscribes, but to provide a platform where spreadsheet techniques can be objectively evaluated. By empirically measuring and contrasting various approaches, the project encourages discussion about real-life implications and outcomes, moving beyond simple tutorials to explore deeper questions: When does a certain technique work well? In what circumstances might it fail? What are the alternative methods, and how do they stack up?
For example, if a popular tutorial demonstrates an “efficient” way to accomplish a task in Power Query, the Good Spreadsheet Project aims to examine this claim. Could that same task be performed just as efficiently–or more so–using VBA, a method dismissed by some as outdated? We ask these questions to bring clarity and a balanced perspective, rather than allowing trending techniques to create inefficiencies and misunderstandings in workplaces.
Real-World Application: The Power Query Challenge.
One practical example highlights the mission of the Good Spreadsheet Project. Recently, Alistair Harris, a Power Query advocate, claimed that a forecast report–featuring monthly updates and consolidations–would be simplified with M Code, in contrast to VBA, which he dismissed as complex. However, this claim lacks empirical backing, and we see an opportunity for the Good Spreadsheet Project to test this assertion.
To illustrate, consider a typical financial reporting setup where monthly CSV files containing trial balances need to be consolidated into a report that includes both actuals and forecasts. The requirements for this project include carrying forward forecasts to the next month, automatically updating with each new CSV file, and performing group and subgroup consolidations across hundreds of units.
The Good Spreadsheet Project’s approach would involve giving these requirements to various experts in Power Query, VBA, and other Excel functions, and assessing their solutions in real time. This process would allow us to determine which techniques are not only feasible but efficient and scalable.
Objective Assessment in the Good Spreadsheet Project.
The Good Spreadsheet Project serves as a forum for bringing transparency to the claims made on social media by Excel influencers. For example, if a method promoted by an influencer simplifies a task, we aim to validate that claim. If another method, perhaps dismissed as “outdated,” proves to be equally or more effective, this project will highlight that finding as well. This unbiased evaluation provides a foundation for people in the industry to make informed choices, rather than relying on what’s merely trending.
Ultimately, the Good Spreadsheet Project aspires to help the industry by establishing a practical framework to evaluate and adopt Excel techniques that truly add value. In this way, we’re not swayed by the hype or by popular opinion but guided by real data and results. This project doesn’t aim to disrupt the social media cycle but to complement it by offering a well-rounded, critical perspective.
With this approach, we believe that the Good Spreadsheet Project will eventually help people avoid common pitfalls, enabling them to use Excel techniques with confidence and precision. Whether it’s through Power Query, VBA, or other methods, our goal is to make social media content not only engaging but genuinely valuable in real-world applications.
This is a podcast by Hiran de Silva. Narrated by Bill.
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