As versatilidades do Microsoft Excel e sua utilização na engenharia.

Abstract

Microsoft Excel is a program with many application possibilities, which go far beyond simple workbooks and trivial calculations. Microsoft software can be used to develop simple spreadsheets to complex panels, known as dashboards, making use of the most diverse functions belonging to the program, or programmed through macros through its own language, Visual Basic for Application (VBA). It is believed that, within the academic community, the use of software is sometimes underrated and its range of functionalities little known. Therefore, it is understood that knowledge of its application possibilities should be disseminated in the academy. Given the above, sought to carry out a literature review on Microsoft Excel and present some among many applications of the software in the field of engineering, especially chemical engineering, for use in companies or in academia. In the literature it is possible to find a large amount of documents showing the use of Excel, therefore, an extensive literature search was carried out, selecting and presenting some relevant and updated applications of the program. Excel applications in different areas of knowledge were presented: in the design of mechanical pumping with rods; in evaluating fault trees; viewing actograms; in the resolution of flat trusses; in reducing errors in systematic research; in solving Michaelis-Menten theory equations; in multistage column analysis; in optimization in distillation sequences; in the optimization of heat exchanger network systems. Based on the applications presented, it is clear that Excel is a potential tool to be used in engineering. Through Excel, engineers and students in the field are able to develop practical, easy-to-handle and cost-effective spreadsheets to solve problems ranging from simple to more complex processes. With this, it is concluded that Excel deserves prominence in the academia, providing the formation of professionals capable of solving problems through the development and handling of electronic spreadsheets.