Automated Spreadsheet Development

TL;DR

This paper addresses the challenge of creating spreadsheets that are more transparent, less error-prone, and easier to document and control, aiming to improve safety and efficiency in spreadsheet development.

Contribution

It proposes a method for automated spreadsheet development that enhances transparency, error detection, documentation, and quality control during creation.

Findings

Improved detection of spreadsheet errors.

Enhanced documentation and version control.

Faster spreadsheet creation process.

Abstract

Few major commercial or economic decisions are made today which are not underpinned by analysis using spreadsheets. It is virtually impossible to avoid making mistakes during their drafting and some of these errors remain, unseen and uncorrected, until something turns the spotlight on them. By then it may be too late. The challenge is to find a way of creating spreadsheets which will preserve the benefit of their power and flexibility while making their creation more transparent and safer. Full documentation and documented version and quality control, section by section, of the eventual spreadsheet would be a bonus. And if the whole process could be made quicker, too, that would be a further bonus.