🟩 Episode 4 (Part 1) | The story of how 'hidden' columns can become a 'cloak' that leads to calculation errors.

Hello from the corner of the accounting department. I'm Keiko📒.
Last time, I talked about 'merging cells'. 😊

Actually, there is one more thing. A way we use it unconsciously. That is the 'Hide' feature that hides columns or rows in an instant.

'It's fine because I'm just hiding parts I don't want to show.' We tend to think that way, but in actual practice, this can sometimes bring about unexpected 'close calls'.

Forgetting where you hid things, leading to calculation mismatches, or being at a loss when unhiding doesn't go as planned...

💡 An important rule, just like with 'merging'

Last time, I touched a little on the 'new data rules' recommended by the government (Digital Agency / formerly Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications).

That etiquette for 'machine-readable data' so that AI and systems can read data correctly.

Actually, the idea of 'data that is transparent and easy to understand for anyone (including machines)' that these rules aim for applies directly to this 'hiding' feature as well🌿

The practice of 'hiding things to make them invisible' might be gradually falling out of step with today's standard data practices.

💡 Between 'invisible' and 'non-existent'

Recently, we've been getting more help from AI with our work, haven't we? 'Since I've hidden it, it shouldn't be visible to the AI either🌿'

...I know that feeling of wanting to believe what's convenient for me all too well (laughs).

But when you hand a file to someone. Or when you quietly consult an AI. The data you think is 'hidden' is actually speaking more eloquently than anyone else there.

Just like with 'merging', instead of making the world your enemy and shouting 'Absolutely not!', take a little extra time to create a 'place' where both you and those around you can feel at ease.

I will introduce the '3 alternatives to hiding' that I arrived at in my own practice in detail in the next part, the conclusion😊

1. 'Lighten the color' (Organizing without erasing existence, keeping it from standing out)

2. 'Leave a little bit of column width' (A little kindness for your future self)

3. 'Grouping' (A reliable charm that can be opened and closed with a click)

🌿 I will talk about how to set this up specifically and the tips for the most recommended 'grouping' in the next article (Episode 4 Conclusion).

🔗 The accounting stories I've written so far are also compiled as the Accounting (Keiko) series from the same perspective🔗