Clearly if all I really wanted to do was calculate for myself the RSD of a
few numbers, I wouldn't be going to such great lengths to write a program for
it. I work with some people that aren't quite as adept with Excel or with
statistics or with algebraic manipulation, so to tell them to make a
spreadsheet and calculate the RSD of some numbers typically causes more work
for me than simply doing it myself.

I was hoping to be able to write a "quick" program that I could install as
an add-in on their machines so they could just type =RSD(cells) instead of

=stdev(cells)/average(cells)*100

which leaves lots of room for errors in remembering the function for
standard deviation and for mean. One function, easily titled RSD as it is
generally referred to, is much simpler to remember and enter than a 3-part
equation with two functions, each with names different than what they are
typically referred to.

I realize it didn't turn out to be as quick as I'd hoped once I ran into the
problem of not knowing how to define the arguments.

"Harlan Grove" wrote:

Conrad Carlberg wrote...
....
Of course you're right, it can be difficult to discern the sense, or
sentiments, of a typed reply. That's why it's incumbent on someone as
generally well regarded as Messrs. McGimpsey and Grove to take care with the
tenor of their responses. I regard them (their responses in this thread,
that is) as dismissive, and I think it's particularly important for an Excel
MVP (I think that they both have and deserve that designation) . . .

Wrong in my case, so your rules of conduct don't apply to me (THANK
GOD!).

. . . to adopt an encouraging tone.

You see someone trying to light a barbecue in a healthy wind. Their
matches keep blowing out. You consider using your body as a shield
against the wind. Then you notice the the other person poored gasoline
on the charcoals.

Which of the following is the best course of action?
1. Pray quickly & loudly.
2. Suggest using foot long matches.
3. Walk quickly away.
4. Suggest that there may be a better way to cook on a barbecue?

Certainly the last could be seen as dismissive by anyone not aware that
the charcoals are soaked in gasoline, or anyone who's more concerned
with hurt feelings and bodily injury, but those other persons'
perspective is flawed.

There are times when VBA is necessary. Calculating simple stats isn't
one of those times. There are better ways to do it without VBA when
Excel is handy.

Maybe this doesn't apply to you, but when I respond to OPs I give them
the FULLNESS of my experience, which includes my opinion when their
methodology isn't ideal. If you don't like that, tough.

. . . Before I resigned from the MVP program, I tried hard to do
so. Particularly in an unmoderated newsgroup, I think it's important to take
care with our responses. Perhaps I failed to do so myself.

Be however you want to be in your own responses. And I'll be how I want
in mine, which isn't always going to be to your liking.