Queries. Excel isn't a database but a lot of people use it like one anyways.
> Excel isn't a database but a lot of people use it like one anyways.
Then why not build database-like functionality into the system?
Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
61–70 of 201 posts
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
Doesn't help. The point is Excel doesn't know what range I want when I extend my table, not whether I can give the range a name or not.
Am I missing something, or wouldn't =sum(C:C) work?
Would that sum the entire column in the spreadsheet? But what if I wanted to have a couple tables on a page (which I often do), or my sum below the numbers?
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#63Hmm, I've seen some pretty hair-raising stuff done with Excel already... I don't think we need to increase its capabilities any further. It's an extremely powerful piece of software already.
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#64Oh my goodness, you're going to get my spreadsheet rant. This is what frustrates me every single time I use Excel (or the Google Docs spreadsheet, for that matter). I may not be answering your question since I'm talking about usability instead of more powerful features, but I can't but imagine that there'd be a market for simple and easy to use, even if it turns out it's not going to be addressed by your particular s…
You can do most of that (pretty simply) in excel.
For your data C2:C10 - Do a field: sum(C2:C11) Then when you want to add more data - right-click on the row (11) and "insert" That will update your sum calculation.
Also - you can do named fields - so that if you select the fields C2:C11 - then you can name them as "invoices" (in excel 2003 it's in the top left corner - there's a selection box you can type in. Just select and type a name in there). The lets you do the command sum(invoices)
Also - don't forget you can do something like sum(C:C) which will just give you everything in C column..
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#65The fundamental problem is that Excel forces a novice (and actually everyone) to work at a level of detail such that key elements of the plan or analysis are lost in a forest of low level code. I would focus on the novice because it will be hard to get power users to switch. Letting a user pick a range or distribution for an input instead of a specific value will help to avoid anchoring around the "one right answer."
Compare two spreadsheet highlighting changes more intelligently than Excel's. For example, allow for a more intentional representation of
decisions/numbers/inputs: control variable
relationships/rules: system representation
outputs/results: state variable
Allow for a set of input variables (and optionally some rules) to be defined as a scenario to compare differences between scenarios. Also, let an input variable be a distribution or an interval and the scenario specify any covariances.
Scenario planning and decision trees: a graphical view that can switch to a traditional spreadsheet view and vice versa.
EDIT http://www.google.com/search?q="next+generation+spreadsheet" turns up some interesting ideas as well.
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#66Oh my goodness, you're going to get my spreadsheet rant. This is what frustrates me every single time I use Excel (or the Google Docs spreadsheet, for that matter). I may not be answering your question since I'm talking about usability instead of more powerful features, but I can't but imagine that there'd be a market for simple and easy to use, even if it turns out it's not going to be addressed by your particular s…
Numbers, from the iWork suite, does this. You can name your rows and columns and just them in your formulas: http://www.apple.com/iwork/numbers/ Of course, it's not perfect if you look at the proprietary format, at the smaller number of formulas than Excel, and so on. But it's a nice piece of software as far as I'm concerned.
I don't have a Mac so I don't have a way to tell if iWork does what I want or not, but note that simply being able to name a range doesn't do it.
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#67Oh my goodness, you're going to get my spreadsheet rant. This is what frustrates me every single time I use Excel (or the Google Docs spreadsheet, for that matter). I may not be answering your question since I'm talking about usability instead of more powerful features, but I can't but imagine that there'd be a market for simple and easy to use, even if it turns out it's not going to be addressed by your particular s…
You can do most of that (pretty simply) in excel. For your data C2:C10 - Do a field: sum(C2:C11) Then when you want to add more data - right-click on the row (11) and "insert" That will update your sum calculation. Also - you can do named fields - so that if you select the fields C2:C11 - then you can name them as "invoices" (in excel 2003 it's in the top left corner - there's a selection box you can type in. Just se…
Do a field: sum(C2:C11)
I.e. leave a blank row at the bottom of my table, and have the sum include that blank row? I actually know about that trick (thanks :)... what I want is a spreadsheet that does what I want without my tricking it.
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
Am I missing something, or wouldn't =sum(C:C) work?
Would that sum the entire column in the spreadsheet? But what if I wanted to have a couple tables on a page (which I often do), or my sum below the numbers?
see my post above.
if you use insert row - then formulas respond and will go from C2:C10 to C2:C11 (tested in excel2003 at least)
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#69In no particular order, here are some desirable features:
1) Version control. 2) Access restrictions and permissions. BONUS: Responsibilities, a la Siebel and other CRMs. 3) Simple drag and drop manipulation of data, such as concatenation. 4) Wufoo-like ease with building data entry forms. 5) Dummy data mode, so you can get help with customizing a complicated spreadsheet without revealing sensitive data. 6) Example use cases for sophisticated features, with well-written instructions, INOW a good, non-linear tutorial.
Re: Ask HN: What can't you do in Excel?
#70Quantrix is already a better excel and look how well they're doing for themselves (or not).
But seriously: take a gander at quantrix, rip off its features, slap yourself on the back for innovating, and go home.
Edit: the above is perhaps a bit too snarky to be helpful.
As a "power spreadsheet user" I moved on from excel to quantrix; this is something I can get away with b/c I'm not stifled with a closet full of legacy, mission-critical excel spreadsheets.
Quantrix is pretty much at the sweet spot of spreadsheet functionality: it's possible to imagine a more-powerful and more-general-purpose tool, but taking it even a little further would turn it into something not really a spreadsheet any more...you'd wind up back at R.
You'll find in Quantrix a mature, well-thought, and all-around "better excel".