# The Mistakes in Structure and Data Thinking That Break Models with Mark Proctor

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/financial-modeler-s-corner-6436942/the-mistakes-in-structure-and-data-thinking-that-break-models-with-mark-proctor.md
Podcast: [Financial Modeler's Corner](https://stenobird.com/podcast/financial-modeler-s-corner-6436942)
Published: 2026-05-26T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.thefpandaguy.com/blog-3-1
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/fafc6e30-16c7-4c57-bac4-d87df18ca8e3.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3000

## Resource

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy ) is joined by guest Mark Proctor. Together, they discuss the intricacies of financial modeling and data analysis, with a focus on building efficient models and leveraging automation in Excel. Mark shares his deep expertise on why structure is key, how to automate tedious tasks, and how Excel continues to evolve to meet the demands of modern financial professionals. Mark Proctor is a seasoned financial professional with a background in accounting and finance, an Excel MVP, and the founder of Excel Off The Grid, a platform dedicated to improving efficiency and effectiveness in Excel. With decades of experience, Mark's insights are invaluable for anyone looking to optimize their use of Excel for financial modeling and beyond. He has helped countless professionals streamline their work through better data structure and automation techniques. Expect to Learn Financial modeling vs. data analysis Automation in Excel with Power Query & Pivot Why VLOOKUP is outdated and modern alternatives Building flexible, stakeholder-friendly models Reducing manual and repetitive Excel tasks Here are a few quotes from Mark Proctor: "Hard-coding is the enemy of a flexible financial model. Once you start hard-coding, you lose the ability to see what's really driving the model." - Mark Proctor "One of the key takeaways from bad models is that manual adjustments should always be documented and trackable." - Mark Proctor As Excel continues to evolve with powerful features like dynamic arrays and advanced automation, the tools discussed in this episode are essential for anyone looking to keep pace with the future of financial modeling. Mark’s emphasis on mastering the basics and thinking structurally will…

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