How being terrible at Microsoft Excel actually helped me — Excel!

I have a confession: I’m really bad at Excel.

Many years ago, my boss walked over to my desk and asked me to compile a massive data file into a spreadsheet and pivot table. He wanted me to present it to him that afternoon. I agreed and got started.

By “got started” I mean I downloaded the huge data file, chose the format of .csv and populated my sheet. I then began Googling the formulas I needed and slowly added them, dragging them through the spreadsheet cells. This was most definitely not how…