Authors
Barry D. Floyd & Jisurk Pyun
Abstract
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.
Sample
Our subjects made quite a few errors in performing their assigned tasks. Overall, 488 errors were made and 258 unnecessary cursor movements.
The largest class of errors was typographical with 157 errors closely followed by the class labeled "Incorrect format" with 119 errors.
Publication
1987, Working paper, New York University, Graduate School of Business Administration, Paper 167, October
