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Microsoft fixes the Excel feature that was wrecking scientific data
(www.theverge.com)
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this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
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Why are scientists using a paid service such as Excel anyway? Shouldn't they be using something like Libre Open Office?
Many scientists are based out of corporations or universities who contract with Microsoft, so Excel would be the default solution for working with spreadsheets.
Also, when it comes to “office” applications, there is no real substitute for Excel. Word processing, presentations, email, notes; there are many open and closed source alternatives that will do the same if not better than MS Office applications. Excel, however, is the exception.
LibreOffice Calc, G-Sheets, Apple’s Numbers, or the myriad of competitor office solutions have never matched Excel for in-depth analyses or overall function. For just basic features, one could limp by with most alternatives, but doing real analytical work within spreadsheets requires Excel.
"Real analytical work" shouldn't be done in spreadsheets at all. You should use a database. Basic spreadsheet features are all you should ever use spreadsheet software to do anyway.
As a user you don't always have access to the database. It's much easier to work out of Excel than to find the right person to ask in the corporate hierarchy just for them to say no.