Another thing you can do to keep big data sets from bogging your calculations down is to change the functions you use to do the calculations.

If you’re working with data sets that are big enough to make your computer slow down or risk locking up when processing them, one of the things you can do to help ameliorate the problem is streamlining your formulas.

Most people have access to a spreadsheet program.  Microsoft bundles Excel into its Office suite, OpenOffice has Calc, Google Docs has “spreadsheets”, and so on.  For a great many people, however, the spreadsheet program is one they never open.  Many… Read moreWelcome to Swiss Army Spreadsheets!