Microsoft Excel's bloopers reel: 40 years of spreadsheet errors

As Microsoft Excel marks its 40th anniversary, it is important to reflect on the significant errors that have occurred due to its widespread use. The software, while beneficial for many, has also been the source of notable mistakes. One prominent example is the 2010 austerity argument by economists Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff, which was later undermined by an Excel error that miscalculated economic growth. Similarly, Fannie Mae reported over $1 billion in accounting errors in 2003 due to incorrect formulas in Excel, raising concerns about its internal controls. In 2010, MI5 mistakenly tapped 134 wrong phone numbers because of a formatting error in a spreadsheet. The COVID-19 pandemic also saw nearly 16,000 cases unreported in England due to an Excel file exceeding its row limit, leading to missed test results. Additionally, a $6 billion trading loss at JP Morgan was partly attributed to flaws in Excel spreadsheets used for risk calculations. These incidents highlight the dual nature of Excel's accessibility, which allows for both ease of use and the potential for significant errors, as noted by scholar James Kwak.

- Microsoft Excel has been associated with several high-profile errors over its 40-year history.

- Notable mistakes include miscalculations in economic studies and significant financial reporting errors.

- The software's accessibility can lead to both beneficial and detrimental outcomes.

- Errors during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in thousands of unreported cases in England.

- The reliance on Excel for critical financial calculations has led to substantial losses in major institutions.