A podcast by Hiran de Silva. Read by Bill.
Imagine walking into a cinema 20 minutes before the movie ends. You grab your popcorn, settle into your seat, and enjoy the action-packed finale. But despite the excitement, you can’t help but wonder: why is one group chasing another? Why is someone so upset? You can see what’s happening, but you’ve missed the bigger picture. You don’t understand the plot, the characters’ motivations, or the deeper meaning of the story.
This is what happens when people dive into Excel without understanding its full history or purpose. Many learn flashy techniques from social media–shortcuts that seem exciting, but they’re like watching only the last 20 minutes of a movie. Sure, it works, but do you really understand it? Do you know *why* you’re doing it that way? More importantly, are you aware of the missed opportunities or potential problems that lie beneath the surface?
The Why Behind This Series.
I’ve been working with spreadsheets since before Excel existed. I was there when the first commercial spreadsheets appeared, and I’ve seen how things have evolved. But here’s the thing–what I’ve noticed on social media is that the stories we hear about Excel often focus on what’s trendy or what will get the most likes and shares. The truth is often sacrificed in favor of what’s more exciting or what takes longer to explain, simply because a 30-second solution isn’t ‘sexy’ enough for social media.
What I aim to do with this series is dig deeper. I want to offer you an understanding that goes beyond the trending tips and tricks. This is a journey to uncover *why* Excel works the way it does, how you can use it effectively, and how to avoid the pitfalls of misunderstanding its true power.
Popular vs. Professional Knowledge.
Take, for example, one common piece of trivia you’ll see online: “What was Excel’s original name?” The answer sought is “MultiPlan.” But if you were there from the beginning, you’d know that MultiPlan was a completely different product from Microsoft, made for the earlier CP/M operating system, not for Windows. The truth is that Excel was always called Excel. But saying that doesn’t get people excited, does it?
The same applies to techniques people show online. Sometimes, there’s a quicker, simpler way to do something in Excel, but it’s not exciting enough for a long tutorial. So, what do influencers do? They show you the longer, more complicated method, which feels more impressive but isn’t necessarily better. Indeed, often not necessary at all!
The Cost of Misunderstanding.
This is where the importance of understanding Excel truly lies. It’s not just about getting things done; it’s about seeing the opportunities for value creation or the risks of using the wrong methods. When you know *why* something works in Excel, you can make more informed decisions and build more efficient systems. This is particularly true when we get into topics like macros, which are often misunderstood and underutilized.
A Warning and an Invitation.
Be prepared: some of what I’m going to share in this series may be controversial. You might find yourself saying, “I didn’t know that!” or even “I don’t agree with that!” And that’s okay–because understanding starts with conversation. Through these explainers, I hope to challenge the popular narratives and give you a clearer view of what Excel can really do.
We’ll start with macros–one of the most powerful yet misunderstood tools in Excel–and go from there. So, buckle up, and let’s start from the beginning of the movie.
Enjoy the series!
This was a podcast by Hiran de Silva. Read by Bill
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