Five easy steps to systematic data handling

Without data, you are just another person with an opinion. However, handling or presenting your data poorly can be worse than having no data at all. Collecting and presenting solid data about a problem is one of the most effective ways to convince an audience. Yet it is surprising how often people do not take the time to present their data for maximum effect. Many mistakes can be traced to the widespread use of spreadsheets for data presentation and analysis. Not only does the default spreadsheet formatting make the data hard to read, but by automating the setup and calculation tasks, spreadsheets also can eliminate careful thought about how those tasks should be done. The author considers seven of the most common mistakes he has seen in presentations and in print. He presents five simple steps to follow every time you prepare data for presentation