Why do we use R rather than Excel?

Re:Why do we use R rather than Excel? by dendriti on Sunday July 11, 2021 @10:11AM (#27800955)

the only way to prevent Excel from converting date-like number values into 'real dates' is to format the number values as text. or escape each and every number value so this doesn't occur.

this is not just a workaround - it's recommended by Microsoft. because you literally cannot turn this functionality off.

how is that not an "Excel issue"?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why do we use R rather than Excel? by tssva on Sunday July 11, 2021 @01:50PM (#27803022)

That is how spreadsheets work. Try Libreoffice or Google Sheets. You will find they operate the same. Spreadsheets format all cells as a generic type where the value entered to it is gets assigned a more specific type by the spreadsheet application. If you want to insure that the value you entered is interpreted as a specific type you need to identify that to the spreadsheet application prior to entering the value.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why do we use R rather than Excel? by dendriti on Monday July 12, 2021 @03:49AM (#27808051)

I was responding to the claim that Excel "doesn't alter data without being asked either." I guess it does, and it should?

[ Parent | on HN ]