Excel Remains a Workplace Staple as Organizations Seek Data Centralization

Many organizations continue to rely on Microsoft Excel for daily operations, while some companies are shifting toward centralized data management to address challenges linked to decentralized spreadsheets.

Since its release in 1985, Excel has become a widely used tool for data analysis, modeling, and reporting in various industries. Research indicates that a large proportion of office staff interact with Excel frequently throughout the workday.

Spreadsheets can lead to the creation of so-called “spreadmarts,” where individuals maintain separate files with inconsistent data definitions and metrics. This decentralization can complicate efforts to secure, transfer, or analyze information across an entire organization.

Professor Mark Whitehorn stated that heavy reliance on Excel may result in a lack of centralized data control, which can make organization-wide data management more difficult. Such fragmentation often arises when teams or individuals use their own spreadsheets rather than shared systems.

What the numbers show

• Excel was first released in September 1985
• Two-thirds of office workers use Excel at least once per hour
• Telus projected C$42 million in annual savings from reducing Excel use

Telus, a Canadian telecommunications company, implemented a transition from Excel to a custom planning platform for hundreds of employees. The company aimed to enhance data integration, automation, and readiness for artificial intelligence by moving away from decentralized spreadsheets.

Moutie Wali, director of digital transformation at Telus, oversaw the transition and stated that some users attempted to continue using Excel by exporting data from the new system. However, Wali said the company did not allow the use of spreadsheets alongside the new applications to prevent parallel workflows.

According to a Microsoft spokesperson, Excel remains widely used across industries, with consistent growth in monthly usage over the past six years. The spokesperson stated that Excel continues to serve as the default tool for many data-related tasks in the workplace.

Industry reaction

Microsoft stated that Excel’s monthly usage has grown steadily over the last six years, and the application remains the standard for data analysis, modeling, and reporting in many organizations.

Telus reported that moving away from decentralized Excel use is expected to save the company C$42 million per year by eliminating misaligned capital.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.