Fig. 13.1.3 The spreadsheet.There are great advantages to the spreadsheet. The largest advantage is the autonomy the
spreadsheet provides the individual analyst. The analyst can do anything he/she wants
with the spreadsheet. The analyst can enter any formula, can enter any data, and can
change any data that he/she wishes to. There is no one telling the analyst what to do or
how to do it.
A second advantage of the spreadsheet is that the spreadsheet is immediate. The analyst
needs no special preparation time in order to start using the tool. The analyst just sits
down and starts to use the spreadsheet. The analyst can use the spreadsheet to help
formulate and structure what needs to be analyzed.
A third advantage of the spreadsheet is its ability to be flexible. The spreadsheet can be
changed to suit almost any kind of analysis.
Another advantage of the spreadsheet is its cost. Oftentimes, the cost of the spreadsheet
is born when the personal computer is purchased and there is no further charge for the
usage of the spreadsheet.
For these reasons and many more, the spreadsheet has found its way into many different
environments.
Fig. 13.1.4 shows the advantages of the spreadsheet.
Chapter 13.1: Personal Analytics