What Can’t Microsoft Excel Do That You Wish It Could?

Much like any other tool or software, Microsoft Excel has its limitations. While it is an incredibly powerful tool, there are several functionalities it lacks compared to other tools such as Lotus SmartSuite or Google Sheets. This article will explore a few key features that users often wish Excel could include.

Lessons from Lotus SmartSuite and Google Sheets

Lotus SmartSuite, now owned by IBM, once featured a remarkable database design tool known as Lotus Approach. This tool was unparalleled in terms of ease of use and capabilities, and its influence can still be felt in modern databases. Similarly, Google Sheets, the flagship spreadsheet application of Google, has unique features that make it a valuable alternative to standard spreadsheet tools.

Demystifying IMPORTRANGE in Google Sheets

IMPORTRANGE is a function in Google Sheets that allows users to dynamically import values from one spreadsheet to another. This is a significant advantage over Excel, which relies on cell references for connections between sheets, often leading to less robust links. The dynamic nature of IMPORTRANGE makes it far more efficient for managing and connecting complex data sets.

Query Functionality: A Game Changer in Data Management

Query, found in Google Sheets, is a powerful feature that behaves as a fully fledged SQL query, allowing users to manipulate data using a range in a sheet as a database. This is in stark contrast to Excel's built-in database functions, which are less flexible and powerful. The integration of Google Forms with Query makes it extremely convenient to manage and retrieve data from forms, creating complex database systems with ease.

Additional Desiderata and Future Prospects

The desire for certain functionalities in Microsoft Excel is not uncommon. Some of the features that users wish Excel had include:

Converting Numbers to Words

While Excel can convert numbers to words through VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), this process can be cumbersome. For those needing to send documents in a more human-readable format, the ability to convert numbers to words within the tool would greatly simplify the process.

Run VBA on Portable Devices

The ability to execute VBA scripts on portable devices, such as tablets or smartphones, would be a significant enhancement. Currently, this functionality is limited to computers. This inclusion would make Excel much more portable and accessible, especially for on-the-go professionals or teams collaborating across devices.

Bring AutoForm Functionality to Par with MS Access

The form building capability in MS Access is a key feature that Excel lacks. AutoForm functionality in Excel could revolutionize data collection and manipulation, allowing for more dynamic and interactive forms. Having this feature would make Excel a more comprehensive solution for database management and form design.

Flexible Functionality for Row Data

Many Excel functions and formulas, such as Subtotal, are designed to work with columnar data structures. However, certain operations require row-based data, which Excel does not currently support. If Microsoft were to modify these functions to accommodate row data, it would significantly expand Excel's utility.

Dynamic Arrays: An Ever-Pending Promise

While the concept of dynamic arrays was theoretically implemented in recent Office 365 updates, practical implementation has been limited. This feature, which allows formulas to expand as data is added, would greatly enhance Excel's flexibility and ease of use.

Filter Across Rows: A Time-Saving Feature

Often, transposing data is not an option, especially when dealing with multi-column sets. The ability to filter data across a row, spanning multiple columns, would be a significant time-saver. This feature would make data analysis more efficient and user-friendly.

While Excel is a powerful tool, the addition of these features would make it even more versatile and user-friendly. Stay tuned for further updates from Microsoft, as they are constantly working to enhance Excel's capabilities.