Microsoft Excel 2010 gives the ability to analyze, manage, and share information in a simple manner. Excel uses a grid-like interface allowing the user to enter data in a linear and simple fashion. Excel provides a surplus of functions that allow the user to manipulate and display the entered data. Although Excel is not a dedicated grading tool, it still provides basic functionality as a grading tool for the user.

Overall, Excel provides an acceptable, but not desirable, use as a grading tool. It does not support multi-platform use, since it is a Microsoft-only product.

Good Features:

• Basic, easy to navigate grid interface
• Contains a large variety of math functions
• Generates accurate graphs of data
• Ability to filter and color coordinate cells

Bad Features:

• Abundance of math functions not used for a grading tool
• There is a learning curve to becoming proficient with excel
• Multi-user support provided by an external software component, instead of built-in
• Not primarily a grading tool, so lacks some advanced features desired for the tool proposed in these requirements.
• Row and column labels can be annoying and distracting
• Simple text input and editing can be difficult at times
• Cannot set security access roles for viewing files

Missing Features:

• An open-source data format
• Ability to set curves for Assignments/Overall Grade
• Cannot define assignment point type
• Dialogue boxes for entering data easily (ex: adding students, test categories, ect.)
• Ability to enter some sort of late policy for assignments
• Students cannot view what is needed to get a desired grade