Introduction
Microsoft Excel, which is a commercial spreadsheet, distributed by Microsoft is unarguably one of the most important computer software programs used by many businesses across the globe. The program dominates the spreadsheet product industry with an estimated 90% market share. Since 1987 spreadsheets have become pervasive and an effective tool for comparative data analysis and have continuously been modified; Excel 2007 has the capacity for 1 million rows and 16million columns spreadsheets. It is worth noticing from the past trends that a lot of modifications are underway, and the business community will still have a lot to smile about. (Graves, 2007)
Excel application in a business setting
One of the most important uses of Excel to a businessman is in keeping and managing customers’ data. Millyard (2012) writes that the business owner does not have to plan on how the table should look like because the existing layout allows one to create data with ease, besides being in a position to sort and filter the listing like a database. It is also possible to add fields in the sheet as they come without interfering with the existing data. Excel makes it easier for businesses to create basic employee and resource schedules. According to Simo Tech (2012), business owners can create worksheets showing the time every employee should be at work. Excel even makes it possible for various departments within the organization to work from the same resource sheet.
In (Graves, 2007) article, Excel has simplified various accounting work within the businesses. Excel has inbuilt functions and formulas that can help in managing data and records efficiently. These functions can also help in the analysis of data, and through the creation of comprehensive drop-down boxes, the likelihood of errors during data entries will be reduced. The inbuilt pivot tables also allow for a detailed analysis of stock movement and the inventory level in a business. The sheet which is available in Excel makes it easier to record all the business revenues and expenditures. Excel has a function called goal to seek which makes it easier for the task to be completed. Cooperate budgeting which is also fundamental in business accounting can be done easily when Excel is applied. Most companies have in the recent past insisted on the use of Excel for budgeting despite calls by suppliers of Business Management systems not to use Excel as their budgeting tool. (Microsoft Excel 2010)
Excel makes it easier to track product sales on a weekly and a monthly basis. This makes it easier for the business to compare the progress time and spot the trends which will enhance their ability to make future projections by applying regression analysis. Every business venture is interested in tracking business sales along with other relevant expenses which makes it easier to see the return on investments for each input. Excel has made it easier to track sales and expenses so that one can know the point of break-even and the returns on the investments.
Conclusion
Briefly, Excel has simplified the way companies do business because it can be customized to perform many functions. With the developed data analysis and visualization tools, the business can now analyze and access information easily besides being able to spot business trends.
References
Graves, S. (2007) the Importance of Excel in the Workplace. Web.
Microsoft Excel (2010). Want to do more with Excel. Web.
Microsoft Excel VBA Training and Software design (2012) the uses of Microsoft Excel in Business and Engineering
Millyard, K. B. (2012). How Do Businesses Use Excel? Demand Media. Web.
Simpo Tech: What is Microsoft Excel used for? (2012). Web.