How We Analyze Your Spreadsheets
What we look for and why it matters
A high complexity score doesn't mean your spreadsheet is bad. Some business processes are genuinely complex. Our goal is to help you understand the maintenance burden and potential risks so you can make informed decisions.
VBA Macros
Macros add powerful automation but come with risks. They can contain security vulnerabilities, break when Excel updates, and create dependencies that only the original author understands. Most importantly, they're invisible to casual users, which means errors can go unnoticed.
External Links
Links to other files create fragile dependencies. When source files move, get renamed, or become inaccessible, your spreadsheet breaks. We've seen critical business reports fail because someone reorganized a shared drive.
Power Query & External Data
External data connections add complexity that's hidden from the main spreadsheet view. When these connections fail, debugging can be challenging. They also raise questions about data freshness and reliability.
Formula Organization
Well-organized spreadsheets have formulas that flow logically, inputs clearly separated from calculations, and a structure someone new could follow. We look for signs of the opposite: formulas scattered randomly, calculations jumping across distant cells, and layouts that only make sense to their creator.
Hardcoded Numbers
When numbers are buried inside formulas instead of placed in labeled input cells, they become invisible assumptions. Someone changing the spreadsheet later won't know these values exist, let alone what they represent or whether they need updating.
Hidden Sheets & Errors
Hidden sheets often contain legacy logic or workarounds that everyone's forgotten about. Cell errors (#REF!, #VALUE!, etc.) indicate broken formulas that may be silently corrupting your results.
Visual Inconsistency
Random highlighting and inconsistent formatting often indicate a spreadsheet that's grown organically over time without a clear design. While cosmetic, this usually correlates with structural problems underneath.
Questions?
Every spreadsheet is different. We're happy to discuss what your specific results mean.
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