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A Visual Code Inspection Approach to Reduce Spreadsheet Linking Errors

A Visual Code Inspection Approach to Reduce Spreadsheet Linking Errors

Mike Morrison, Joline Morrison, John Melrose, E. Vance Wilson
Copyright: © 2002 |Volume: 14 |Issue: 3 |Pages: 13
ISSN: 1546-2234|EISSN: 1546-5012|ISSN: 1546-2234|EISBN13: 9781615201037|EISSN: 1546-5012|DOI: 10.4018/joeuc.2002070104
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MLA

Morrison, Mike, et al. "A Visual Code Inspection Approach to Reduce Spreadsheet Linking Errors." JOEUC vol.14, no.3 2002: pp.51-63. http://doi.org/10.4018/joeuc.2002070104

APA

Morrison, M., Morrison, J., Melrose, J., & Wilson, E. V. (2002). A Visual Code Inspection Approach to Reduce Spreadsheet Linking Errors. Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (JOEUC), 14(3), 51-63. http://doi.org/10.4018/joeuc.2002070104

Chicago

Morrison, Mike, et al. "A Visual Code Inspection Approach to Reduce Spreadsheet Linking Errors," Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (JOEUC) 14, no.3: 51-63. http://doi.org/10.4018/joeuc.2002070104

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Abstract

Spreadsheet programs are deceptively simple tools that are widely used by end-user developers in organizations. However, recent studies have shown that spreadsheets often contain significant, decision-affecting errors. One study that addressed “linking errors,” i.e., incorrect references to spreadsheet cell values on separate work areas, found these errors to be a major error source in complex spreadsheets that use distinct work areas spread across multiple worksheets. This paper describes a code inspection approach that visually represents the structure of a linked spreadsheet and graphically identifies linked cells and their sources. We tested this approach in an experimental study where subjects created a complex spreadsheet. Results indicate that subjects who used the approach made significantly fewer errors and experienced no decrease in speed of spreadsheet production or satisfaction with the production process.

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