Ask HN: At work, do you you use Git for your Excel workbooks?

2 pointsbjoerns7y ago7 comments

7 comments

A few years ago, when I was in an Excel-heavy role we used Sharepoint, which was ok. It was a big improvement over "pro forma $user v4 final final.xslx", but it left a lot to be desired.

samstave7y ago

I'm having a hard time understanding what you mean. Can you describe how you use git for excel?

bjoernsOP7y ago

Commit your Excel workbook to a Git repository. I know it's a binary file so you can't diff or merge out of the box, but at least you get the commit history. Does that make more sense?

samstave7y ago

Sure, I was just trying to understand why...

If you want version control, then sure use that. Or stor in dropbox/drive which have version control...

I am sure many people use many different tools for this. Most large enterprise companies, such as biotechs and legal, use document management platforms for this purpose.

1 more reply

LiamPa7y ago

The issue we find is that if a user is using excel (a lot) there is a very slim chance that they know what git is and/or how to use it correctly.

bjoernsOP7y ago

In general, yes. However, from my own experience, there is a (small and industry-specific) subset of "Excel developers", especially in investment banks, hedge funds etc that know both.

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7 comments

fludlight7y ago

A few years ago, when I was in an Excel-heavy role we used Sharepoint, which was ok. It was a big improvement over "pro forma $user v4 final final.xslx", but it left a lot to be desired.

samstave7y ago

I'm having a hard time understanding what you mean. Can you describe how you use git for excel?

bjoernsOP7y ago

Commit your Excel workbook to a Git repository. I know it's a binary file so you can't diff or merge out of the box, but at least you get the commit history. Does that make more sense?

samstave7y ago

Sure, I was just trying to understand why...

If you want version control, then sure use that. Or stor in dropbox/drive which have version control...

I am sure many people use many different tools for this. Most large enterprise companies, such as biotechs and legal, use document management platforms for this purpose.

1 more reply

LiamPa7y ago

The issue we find is that if a user is using excel (a lot) there is a very slim chance that they know what git is and/or how to use it correctly.

bjoernsOP7y ago

In general, yes. However, from my own experience, there is a (small and industry-specific) subset of "Excel developers", especially in investment banks, hedge funds etc that know both.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse