5 Limitations of Excel For BI and Ways to Overcome Them

Excel remains a preferred tool for many users due to its universal appeal, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, despite its significant limitations in handling large data volumes, collaboration, and data integrity. Users appreciate its flexibility and familiarity, with many, including those skilled in SQL, opting for Excel when exploring data. However, as businesses scale, Excel's sluggishness and risk factors become apparent, prompting a need for more robust solutions. Self-service BI tools, such as Sigma, offer a more scalable and efficient alternative, allowing real-time data exploration without the constraints of Excel, while maintaining a spreadsheet interface. Sigma, in particular, facilitates secure data management, unlimited data exploration, and seamless collaboration, enabling users to answer ad hoc questions efficiently without reliance on technical support.