but i will be able to create stand-alone programs
that others can use w/out excel.

No, you can not create stand-alone programs that others can use w/out excel.

Not sure why others are implying that you can. If you want worksheets, the
user will either need to own a copy of Excel or you will have to buy a third
party control that provides functionality similar to excel.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy
"mike allen" wrote in message
...
this is my interpretation so far:
a full (not an upgrade), used version of Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 from
ebay for $150-200 will allow me to essentially use the same code i am used
to using in excel/vba, but i will be able to create stand-alone programs
that others can use w/out excel. it will have matix's/spreadsheets for
input and output, i assume.
you mentioned "Excel-specific functions." what are those? vlookup,
match,
isnumeric, len, trim, count, counta are some of the functions i use often
in code. are these "Excel-specific functions?" thanks, mike allen

"Auric__" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 9 Aug 2004 13:58:46 -0500, "mike allen"
wrote:

what is "visual basic.net 2003 standard edition?" i see it on
microsoft
website, but is only $100, so that must not be what i am looking for.
thanks, mike allen

It's not the same as what you see in Excel/VBA. VB.Net is a completely
different language than what you're used to.