The Risks Of Using Spreadsheets For Statistical Analysis

The Risks of Using Spreadsheets for Statistical Analysis provides a clear warning for organizations and analysts who rely heavily on spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel for complex statistical work. While spreadsheets remain a go-to tool for many due to their availability and perceived ease of use, the paper argues that they are often pushed beyond their design limits—leading to costly errors, inefficiencies, and flawed decision-making.

The report highlights the structural risks of spreadsheets, such as their lack of scalability, error-prone logic, poor data governance, and minimal testing rigor. It cites examples of high-profile mistakes caused by spreadsheet errors—from multi-million dollar losses to national security mishaps and academic credibility issues.

As an alternative, the paper recommends IBM SPSS Statistics, a purpose-built platform for robust statistical analysis that provides greater accuracy, reliability, and efficiency. It also addresses concerns about learning curves and licensing, making the case that specialized tools not only mitigate risk but also improve data insights at scale.