Introduction to Data and Automation

Data is the lifeblood of any business. The more efficiently you can manage and analyze it, the easier it'll be to make informed decisions. Automated reporting has changed how companies collect and analyze their data by turning the tedious and, let's face it, time-consuming task of entering data by hand into an automated process. Even so, you'd be surprised how many quick tricks you're already implementing today. The transition is actually quite simple.

The Benefits of Automated Reporting

Businesses can use automated reporting to get to their data quickly and easily, make complete reports, and find ways to grow and get better. At Wrk, our automated workflows let offices like yours work smarter, not harder. Using Excel automation is another tool you can add to your tech stack.

Let's discuss how you can get the most out of your data with automated reporting using Microsoft Excel and why it matters to businesses like yours.

What is Excel Automation?

Excel automation is a tool that makes it easier to do tasks like entering data, analyzing data, and making reports in Microsoft Excel. Imagine getting to, analyzing, and reporting on our data quickly and easily in a fraction of the time it would take to do it all by hand. What a concept!

Excel automation uses algorithms and scripts in Microsoft Excel that your team can program to run tasks with the click of a button. This gets rid of the need to enter and analyze data by hand, saving businesses time and money (and your sanity when it comes to long data sheets or exporting Excel files!) Again, this may seem more complicated than it is. As you're likely already implementing some of these automated tasks.

Automation Capabilities in Excel

Let's get down to it. What needs a human touch in Microsoft Excel, and which parts can you automate for quicker, error-free results?

You can automate many tasks in Excel, such as data entry, analysis, and reporting, with the help of automation. You can also use Excel automation to automatically manipulate, clean, and validate data.

As for what it can't reliably populate without your fingers on the keyboard? That would include creating and formatting:

• Charts. In Microsoft Excel, you can use charts to make a visual representation of any set of data. There are a whopping 16 types of charts to pick from in Excel!

• Tables. Consider tables as containers for your data; they show Excel that all the data in your marked columns and rows are related.

• Cells. Cells are the boxes you see in the grid of any Excel worksheet. Identify each cell on a worksheet by its reference, the column letter, and the row number intersecting at the given cell's location.

• Formulas. Formulas are equations that can perform calculations, return information, manipulate the contents of other cells, test conditions, and more in Excel.

Excel Automation Benefits

Yes, automation in Microsoft Excel can't do everything—but what it can do makes it a hugely beneficial tool for businesses by saving time, reducing human error, and boosting productivity.

Even though there are many great features. We couldn't name them all. Here are some of Wrk's favorite ways Excel automation helps with reporting. Are you missing any on the list?

Create a User-friendly Experience

Don't get weighed down by the details: whether it's working on data sheets, polishing up that Excel file before sending it to your team members, or exporting it for final publication, rest easy knowing that automation has already handled all the nitty-gritty details on your behalf.

Opportunity for Informed Decision-making

Don't leave it to chance. By automating Excel tasks, you and your team can make sure that your decisions are based on pure, error-free data and not on guesses or estimates. With done-for-you analysis, reporting, data entry, and more, typos and misreads have become a thing of the past. Humans are more prone to error. Therefore, fewer human interactions, means less opportunity for mistakes.

Easy Data Sharing

Breaking down silos should be priority number 1 across all processes. It's not just for communication, but also for sharing data. Quickly, efficiently, and securely share your data sheets and Excel files in various formats—whether in XLS, XLSX, or XLSM—thanks to Excel automation encrypting your data, compressing it, and transferring it to others in your network.

Low-impact Implementation

Microsoft Excel automation has a low impact. This means you can get on with your work with minimal disruption to your existing processes and protocols. Think of it as doing exactly what you did before, just better (faster and easier.) In fact, you've probably already been using some of these features. This will make the transition and adoption so much easier for your team as you're already familiar with it.

Future of Work

With a staggering 1.1 billion people using Microsoft Excel in 2023, hopping on the automation train means many things. It means better productivity, fewer errors, and a more refined workflow. It also means embodying the future of work as we know it.

We at Wrk know that no-code and low-code automation solutions are the future for businesses like yours. And Excel is a necessary tool for your day-to-day. Ready to learn more? Connect with an automation expert today!