ERRORS IN SPREADSHEET USE

Fourteen experienced users of two commercial spreadsheet packages, Lotus 123 and Multiplan, performed four tasks - two of entering spreadsheets and two of modifying those same spreadsheets. Their actions were videotaped and analyzed for incidents of errors. Over 450 errors were made, the majority of them centered around the visual properties of the spreadsheet packages. A classification of the errors is presented with an analysis of the causes governing the production of the errors. A discussion of the choices in the design of the interface which facilitated the production of these errors is also presented.Information Systems Working Papers Serie