[R] need advice on using excel to check data for import into R

[Greg Snow]

This is really a job for a database, and Excel is not a database (even
though many think it is).  I have some clients that I have convinced
to create an Access database rather than use Excel (still MS product
so it can't be that scary, right?).  They were often a little
reluctant at first because they would be using a new tool, and they
actually had to think about the design of the database up front, but
once they got to serious data entry they were very grateful for me
directing them to Access over Excel.  Databases have tools to validate
data on entry so there will be fewer cases where you need to ask them
for corrections (and it will be easier for them to fix any problems
that do sneak through).

On Sun, Apr 22, 2012 at 12:34 PM, Markus Weisner <r at themarkus.com> wrote:
> I have created an S4 object type for conducting fire department data
> analysis.  The object includes validity check that ensures certain fields
> are present and that duplicate records don't exist for certain combinations
> of columns (e.g. no duplicate incident number / incident data / unit ID
> ensures that the data does not show the same fire engine responding twice
> on the same call).
>
> I am finding that I spend a lot of time taking client data, converting it
> to my S4 object, and then sending it back to the client to correct data
> validity issues.
>
> I am trying to figure out a clever way to have excel (typically the program
> used by my clients) check client data prior to them submitting it to me.  I
> have been working with somebody on trying to develop an excel toolbar
> add-in with limited success.
>
> My question is whether anybody can think of clever alternatives for clients
> to validate their data … for example, is their a R excel plugin (that would
> be easily installed by a client) where I might be able write some lines of
> R to check the data and output messages … or maybe some sort of server
> where they could upload their data and I could have some lines of R code
> that would check the code and send back potential error messages?
>
> I realize this is a fairly open ended question … just looking for some
> general ideas and directions to go. Getting a little frustrated with
> spending most of my work time dealing with data cleaning issues … guessing
> this is a problem shared by many of us that use R!
>
> Thanks,
> Markus
>
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>
>
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-- 
Gregory (Greg) L. Snow Ph.D.
538280 at gmail.com