Re: [CODE4LIB] Excel vs Word - Columns or Tables
On Apr 15, 2023, at 10:57 AM, charles meyer wrote: > I'm curious what factors influence you in choosing to create a Word file > versus an Excel spreadsheet or vice versa? If I have to derive values from other values, then I use a spreadsheet, as I can set up formulas. If I need to do formatting for portions within a cell, rather than the cell as a whole, I might use a table within a word processing document. And if it’s relatively small, simple data within a larger document, then I’ll probably just stick with the word processor. Especially if it’s not likely to change much. If there are times when I need to track values that won’t be given to the end user (because they’re the basis of calculated values), then I’ll use a spreadsheet with hidden values or a database. If I need to graph the data, then I’ll use a spreadsheet. If I need to do dynamic formatting (eg, automatically color negative values in red), I’ll use a spreadsheet or a database depending on how large/complex the data is. If I’m going to need to run aggregate functions against the data (averages, counts, min/max), so will only be reporting on some concept other than the rows of the table, then I’ll use a database. Honestly, for what you’re doing, I might even use neither. I’d set up contacts in an address keeping program, and export vCard so most people with a cell phone could just suck it in use it rather than have to type the numbers in themselves. I do like the idea of putting it on Google sheets or similar hosted service, too, though. -Joe
Re: [CODE4LIB] Excel vs Word - Columns or Tables
On Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:03, Charles Meyer eloquently inscribed: > We have a number of homeless and others on Social Security and Soc Sec > disability who need free checking accounts. $15/mo is a lot ofr them to pay. Does Florida not have Credit Unions? I've been a member of a half dozen CUs across multiple states over the last 40 years, and all of them have free checking and low/no minimum accounts and often have perks like no-cost public notaries and college scholarships. My current one requires $1 (refundable) to join. If you want to be price gouged and treated as property open a bank account. If you want to share in ownership and have a say in the policies and be respected, join a Credit Union. Erich
Re: [CODE4LIB] Excel vs Word - Columns or Tables
Your decision criteria could focus on how you want to manipulate the data
and how you want to publish it.
Excel is better for manipulating the data, as it is easier to sort by
column, filter by content, and perform arithmetic on numerical values than
Word. Word is better for typographical formatting (eg fonts), but it gets
difficult if your table is bigger than Word's idea of a page. Excel allows
for many rows and many columns. In most cases, and in almost all cases
where any of the values are numerical, your better choice is Excel.
However, both fail if you want to easily publish the document for people to
consume on the internet (either to use it or to contribute to it). For
that, I would recommend (free) Google Sheets, which has most of the
strengths of Excel but also allows you to publish ("share") the document.
You can share it either with specific other people with Google Accounts for
collaboration, or you can open up the restrictions on any document so that
you can send the link to the document to anybody who can then see it.
Another advantage of the online publishing model is that people retrieving
the document always get the latest version - handy if you find a mistake or
want to add more information after your initial publication.
Stay safe and dry.
Regards,
David.
On Sat, Apr 15, 2023 at 3:57 PM charles meyer
wrote:
> My esteemed listmates,
>
> Life and work have been so crazy in the aftermath of the hurricane we are
> still recovering from.
>
> I searched my Gmail messages for the past 2 weeks but did not see this post
> so I apologize it has been posted.
>
> I'm curious what factors influence you in choosing to create a Word file
> versus an Excel spreadsheet or vice versa?
>
> Ex. I'm creating a spreadsheet with the names of banks and credit unions -
> contact names and phone #s and a list of 9 questions to ask each financial
> institution before opening a checking account with any of them.
>
> We have a number of homeless and others on Social Security and Soc Sec
> disability who need free checking accounts. $15/mo is a lot ofr them to
> pay.
>
> But, would it be better to create this as a Word document with columns?
>
> Or still better to create as a Word document with tables?
>
> How does one decide?
>
> Thank you so much.
>
> Charles.
>
> Charlotte County Public Library
>
