So You Want to Pick a Dataviz Platform, Part I: Microsoft Excel

Note to the reader: please enjoy this modern retelling of the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers. The parts of Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D’Artagnan will be played by employees of a fictional firm named WTR.

Danielle pulled into a parking space on the last free parking deck at the head office of Winter, Treville, & Roche. Even though she arrived before 8 a.m., only the top of the parking garage had free spaces.

“On Monday, new hires should proceed to the landing area on the 8th floor where they will receive their desk or room number and computer account.” The orientation instructor’s words had played on repeat in Danielle’s head all weekend long. Up to the 8th floor she went. A secretary there handed her a welcome folder. The folder, blue with “WTR” in white on the front, had a sticker on the inside pocket. “Danielle Tanner. Marketing Analytics. Desk 703.”

A printed map in the folder pointed her to the stairs. Once on the seventh floor, she strolled past several cubicle groups arranged into double rows of four, each desk with a computer and a table. The open floor plan of the building meant she could see everyone’s desks as she walked. All grey-walled cubicles, walls just barely above eyeline when sitting, with a desk number and name-tag at the top corner.