Spreadsheet Design

dmoniquesmith 

If you're summarizing data from multiple spreadsheets where each spreadsheet contains data for a different month within the same year, and you want to create a separate spreadsheet summarizing the data by year for visualization purposes, there are a few approaches you could consider:

1. Use a "Year" Column: Although it may seem redundant to have a "Year" column where every entry is the same year, it can still be a useful way to organize your data, especially if you're planning to use this summarized data in visualization software. Having a "Year" column allows you to maintain consistency in your dataset structure and makes it clear to others who may view or analyze the data later on.
2. Use a Pivot Table: Another option is to use a pivot table to summarize the data by year. You can create a pivot table from the individual monthly datasets and group the data by year. This way, you don't necessarily need a separate "Year" column in your original datasets. The pivot table can dynamically summarize the data based on the date information present in each dataset.
3. Combine Data Before Summarizing: Instead of creating separate spreadsheets for each month and then summarizing by year, you could combine all the monthly data into one dataset first. Then, you can use formulas, pivot tables, or other methods to summarize the combined dataset by year. This approach may simplify the process and eliminate the need for a "Year" column in the individual spreadsheets.

Ultimately, the best approach depends on the specific requirements of your analysis and how you plan to use the summarized data. Consider factors such as data organization, ease of analysis, and compatibility with your visualization software when deciding on the most appropriate method for summarizing your data by year.