Excel as an algorithm animation environment

Abstract

Understanding of fundamental algorithms and designing algorithms for a novel problem are basic skills in Computer Science. Animation is a useful aid in both these areas. We show how to animate algorithms with Microsoft Excel using data visualization and macro programming features of Excel. The user writes an algorithm using the Visual Basic programming language of Excel and defines charts visualizing dynamically the data structures of the algorithm. This approach is suitable especially for small-scale animation, e.g. for course assignments in Computer Science.

The Power of Spreadsheet Computations

“…There was very little previous research on the computational power of spreadsheets. The papers [1], [9] and [10] demonstrate simulations of various algorithms and models o computation using spreadsheets, but without any intent to estimate the full power of this computation paradigm. Paper [12] demonstrates how to implement relational algebra queries in spreadsheets (which turn out to be columnorganized, but not necessarily column-oriented).…”

On animation features of Excel

“…The basic scheme of using charts in animations has been explained by Rautama et al [7]. Excel version 95 contains ten chart types comprising of fifteen different chart options with additional four to ten formats.…”

“…For example, as a spreadsheet, Excel serves mainly financial calculations [6]. Contrary to this approach, we have been exploring the world of Excel in order to show its applicability to various tasks [2,7]. The expressive power of the spreadsheet metaphor has not yet been utilised in full.…”

“…Probably, users have concluded that one can apply a matrix-like structure only for financial calculations. liautama et al [7] present how simple algorithms can be animated with Excel using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), the macro language of Excel: algorithms are written in VBA and the animation is seen as updating charts Penission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. To copy otherwise, to republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee.…”

Proceedings of the Second Program Visualization Workshop, 2002

“…Spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel offer powerful facilities to visualize, illustrate, and describe different phenomena and experiment with these. Rautama et al (1997) present how simple algorithms can be animated with Excel. The expressive power (Dybdahl et al, 1998) and user-friendliness make Excel a fascinating tool for educational visualizations.…”