Question

Which type of data should only be entered in one place on your spreadsheet?

Answers

GPT-4o mini
In a spreadsheet, data that should only be entered in one place includes:

1. **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.

2. **Unique Identifiers**: Items like employee IDs, customer IDs, product SKUs, or any unique keys should be entered only once to maintain data integrity.

3. **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.

4. **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.

Related Questions