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Posted to microsoft.public.excel.newusers
Difficult1
 
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Default MS Help-search algorithm sucks

at times, it is difficult to use.... and doesn't always return the best
answers,.... have you done a google search??? i use visual basic a lot, and
have found a nice website that helps with codes and such.... If I can find
it, I will post it here for you... maybe it has something in it that can
help, even a little bit.....

"Brainless_in_Boston" wrote:

I'm glad for you that you enjoy Excel and find the Help function useful. I
don't.

I admit Excel does some things very well, and many complicated things pretty
well (read: not impossible to accomplish easily), and I have used Excel for
over a decade... In my office I'm considered a pretty savvy Excel user.

But... ever try to write a macro without any instruction? Get my drift? It
sucks. Very VERY hard for a novice to use, in any way shape of form. I think
the software should have effective help resources built in. It does not.

I can also cite personal example after example of using the Help search
function and not finding ANY-thing posted that answers my problem directly. I
think that is unacceptable.

The examples they give with their help response are limited. The examples
also do NOT give you any idea of how to adapt them to your specific need.
Memory is cheap, kids. Adding more help is a minor thing, yet MS fails to do
so, year after year after year.

My argument is that they should (#1) have a better search algorithm. That
(#2) they should have SOMTHING that allows clear (or even fuzzy) questions in
simple 8th grade english that yields workable responses from MS.

So far those two things have not arrived, and have been lacking for the last
10 years.

Pretty annoying (and sad) in my opinion.

Mark
Boston



"Difficult1" wrote:

I have been using Excel since Office 97, and have had no issues with the
help. I also believe that Excel is the best spreadsheet software available,
and the easiest to use. I would have to agree with the other person who
replied, stating that if you would share your exact problem, someone out here
might have an answer for you.