Excel spreadsheets facilitate the overall bigger picture of the data on hand, all in one familiar sheet, and gives the user "data situational awareness". Therefore it is easier for the user to make data cleaning and standardizing easier because the user can consider all the data in the same context.
1. Data Situational Awareness
Excel spreadsheets facilitate the overall bigger picture of the data on hand, all in one familiar sheet, and gives the user "data situational awareness". Therefore it is easier for the user to make data cleaning and standardizing easier because the user can consider all the data in the same context.
2. Collaborative Data Review
It enables the data project owner to share spreadsheets with other individuals, in different departments, to review and edit the data in familiar Excel within their specific area of focus and data knowledge, without having to be logged into a specific software program.
3. Separation from Software Sessions
Enables separation of data cleanup work from specific software program user login sessions.
4. Eliminates Multiple GUI Steps
The Excel approach eliminates multiple GUI steps to view, edit or add data.
5. Batch Data Validation
Excel makes it easier to do data batch validation before actually posting data back, or inserting new data into database.
6. Simple Archiving and Backup
The use of copies of an Excel file for before and after serves as a simple archiving and backup solution of original data and data revisions. It adds a lot of flexibility.
7. Easy Data Transfer Between Databases
Makes it easy to copy data from source to destination databases.
Bonus: Excel's Versatility
Flexibility and versatility of Excel functions for ad hoc data sort, filter, find and replace, cut or copy and paste, Excel data validation features, the sky is the limit!
Related Reading
- Jon Muller: Excel SQL - Comprehensive guide to connecting Excel with SQL Server for seamless data integration
- Excel SQL Bulk Update - Step-by-step tutorial for bulk updating SQL Server data using Excel
- Export Update SQL Server Table Data with Excel - How to export and update SQL Server tables directly from Excel
- Data Intelligence and Visualization - Why Excel is a powerful data visualization and business intelligence tool
- XLNavigator Benefits and Features - Excel enhancements including advanced SQL Server import capabilities
- Managing Complex Excel Workbooks - Best practices for managing large datasets and multiple sheets in Excel
Official Resources
- Microsoft SQL Server Documentation - Official SQL Server guides, tutorials, and best practices
- Excel Power Query - Microsoft's tool for connecting Excel to external databases and transforming data
- SQL Server Import and Export Wizard - Native SQL Server data transfer tools and documentation
Looking for tools to streamline your Excel and SQL workflow? Check out XLNavigator for powerful Excel enhancements including SQL import features.