Step 5 - Automation

Image representing automation — Automating repetitive data tasks can reduce errors.

Can you automate any repetitive tasks?

Often, computer tasks that need to be done over and over again by a human can be opportunities for error to sneak in. Setting up an automated way of running repetitive (and boring) tasks can eliminate this issue. Anything from a MS Excel formula or macro to coding in a data science frameword can help.

First steps

Let’s think about the repetitive tasks that you could automate - do you always rename files the same way? Do you manually copy files across?

Ways you can automate things:

Spreadsheet Macros and formulas - Using macros in microsoft excel to facilitate cleaning of research data has instructions on how.
MacOS - Automator find out how to automate 10 useful things
Win 10 - Task scheduler learn how with this blog post
Microsoft Power Automate or Google Apps Script

Advanced

Could you code up your work so its completely automated?

Learn to code in Python or R - Talk to your local hacky hour or Software Carpentry people.

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