---
layout: post
title: #irdevcamp #iRU Kevin McAllister on Failing the Excel Test and Noodling
author: Steven
date: 2010-11-10 02:41:38
categories: 
- Musings
tags: 
- filemaker
- inresonance
featured_image: https://www.stevenjaycohen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/wsi-imageoptim-ktalk2.jpg
---
The Excel Test:

"If you wanted to make up tee-shirts as gifts for people coming to an event at your organization, and you export the data into Excel, add a column called TeeShirt, and... (laughter from the audience) Do you see where this is going? Yeah, if you're going down this path, you've missed the point of having your information in a database."



Noodling:

"We should be providing you with an open environment where you feel comfortable poking around. If you have a question like, 'I wonder if our donations from alumni who live within 100 miles of the school has gone up or down over time?' You should be able to answer it -- on your own. It's your data, you should feel comfortable to 'Noodle around' in your data. And we're here to help you do that."