Knowledge of command usage in a spreadsheet program

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of how software is actually used by people can assist software developers and internal MIS application development personnel to improve the user-interface of existing software, in creating new user interface styles for existing software packages, and to improve the training for personnel using software packages. This article reports results from a study that examined the use of a popular spreadsheet software by 40 experienced users in their work environment. Of the 505 commands that could be used, 18 (3.6%) accounted for over 80% of the usage. More than 50% of the available commands were never used. Most of the command usage was related to creating, maintaining, and printing spreadsheets.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.8 PERSONAL COMPUTING
      K.8.1 Application Packages
          Subjects: Spreadsheets

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors