General · 11 January 2026
Companies struggle to wean staff off Excel software
Companies worldwide are attempting to move their employees away from Excel spreadsheets to centralize data control, despite Excel's persistent dominance in business operations. Research shows two-thirds of office workers use Excel hourly, with Microsoft reporting 500 million paying users globally. Organizations face challenges transitioning to modern systems due to employee resistance and embedded workflows. High-profile failures, such as major financial scandals, highlight Excel's vulnerabilities, yet firms find it difficult to abandon due to its versatility and educational integration across technology programs.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs