Discussion: Spreadsheet Layout

One weakness in spreadsheet development isn’t weak formulas or not knowing how to use pivot tables. The weakness is poor layout.

This is one topic that won’t show up in a help menu.

This video discusses spreadsheet layout and formula development. The key points for avoiding “octopus spreadsheets”:

– Don’t think about the results first. Think about organization so that you can get any result that you could ever possibly want.
– Watch the experts and how they lay out their data and organize their spreadsheets. They might not be discussing layout, but take note of where they’re putting their data and formulas.

These are great people to watch because they show how to build tools, in addition to standalone tips:
Debra Dalgleish youtube.com/user/contextures
Mynda Treacy myonlinetraininghub.com
Kevin Lehrbass youtube.com/user/MySpreadsheetLab
Chris Newman thespreadsheetguru.com
Mike Girvin youtube.com/user/ExcelIsFun/

On my website, here’s a list of apps/tools I’ve built in Excel along with tutorials and free downloads:

And here’s where you can purchase Guerrilla Data Analysis 2nd Ed.
http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Analysis-Using-Microsoft-Excel/dp/1615470336/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8