Limitations of Using Microsoft Excel Version 2016 (MS Excel 2016) for Statistical Analysis for Medical Research. Issue 5 (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanavalee, Chotetawan; Luksanapruksa, Panya; Singhatanadgige, Weerasak
• Is Part Of: Clinical spine surgery. Volume 29:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 203
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Microsoft Excel -- statistical analysis -- limitation -- biomedical research; Spinal cord -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Spinal cord -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.56059
• DOI: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000000382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2380-0186

Abstract

Abstract : Microsoft Excel (MS Excel) is a commonly used program for data collection and statistical analysis in biomedical research. However, this program has many limitations, including fewer functions that can be used for analysis and a limited number of total cells compared with dedicated statistical programs. MS Excel cannot complete analyses with blank cells, and cells must be selected manually for analysis. In addition, it requires multiple steps of data transformation and formulas to plot survival analysis graphs, among others. The Megastat add-on program, which will be supported by MS Excel 2016 soon, would eliminate some limitations of using statistic formulas within MS Excel.