In a spreadsheet, data that should only be entered in one place includes:
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Constants: Any data that does not change (e.g., tax rates, interest rates) should be entered once and referenced elsewhere to avoid errors and ensure consistency.
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Unique Identifiers: Items like employee IDs, customer IDs, product SKUs, or any unique keys should be entered only once to maintain data integrity.
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Reference Tables: Information such as lookup values (e.g., product names and their respective prices, country codes, etc.) should be consolidated in a single location and used through lookup functions to reduce redundancy.
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Configuration Settings: Parameters such as thresholds or limits (e.g., budget limits, discount rates) that are used across different calculations or analyses.
By entering such data in a single location, you can easily manage updates, reduce the risk of inconsistencies, and enhance the overall organization of your spreadsheet.