Validation of Imported Data by Recursive Matrix Function

Abstract

Purpose of the article: MS Office includes, among other things, MS Excel spreadsheet, a data processing tool in the form of tables. Importing data from other sources (data transfer between public administration workplaces) is done directly in this environment, often from a file with a different data format. It is very common in practice that such data import can arise a problem that may have fatal consequences from the perspective of the rele-vance of the processed data results. This article aims to point out these shortcomings in data processing technol-ogy and outline the way to eliminate unwanted consequences by recursive matrix function.
Methodology/methods: The method by which the input data will be validated during the data transformation (import) into MS Excel is based on the call of a customized recursive matrix function. This feature will have user-configurable input data control methods, depending on the nature and character of the imported file. Also the output of this function is variable, it offers the user a whole range of outputs depending on the selected pa-rameters - methods.
Scientific aim: The aim of this article is to compare the individual methods offered by MS Excel and VBA de-pending on the nature of the input data, to make conclusions on the basis of which a recursive matrix function will be created for the appropriate data validation when imported into the MS Excel environment.
Findings: This recursive matrix function validates input data when imported to MS Excel from an external envi-ronment. Own validation eliminates human factor errors, that is, incorrectly inserted input data. The feature alerts this fact and offers the user automatic correction option of input data types.
Conclusions: As a result of deploying this user function in the context of a previous analysis of data types testing by the system, mass data processing errors are eliminated and thus the fatal consequences of these errors are eliminated.