Excel as an algorithm animation environment
Erkki Rautama, Erkki Sutinen, Jorma Tarhio · ACM SIGCSE Bulletin · 1997
Understanding of fundamental algorithms and designing algorithms for a novel problem are basic skills in Computer Science. Animation is a useful aid in both these areas. We show how to animate algorithms with Microsoft Excel using data visualization and macro programming features of Excel. The user writes an algorithm using the Visual Basic programming language of Excel and defines charts visualizing dynamically the data structures of the algorithm. This approach is suitable especially for small-scale animation, e.g. for course assignments in Computer Science.