Is there any inherent advantage in designing an App in Excel with custom
menus, toolbars, worksheet data validation, taking control of the UI from
the user etc etc? To me, it appears to be a wasted effort with more time
spent keeping the user away from the UI of Excel than developing program
logic. However, I am aware that this has/is being done. The Apps I have
seen with this setup seem to lack a 'professional' look and feel. What is
the logic behind selecting this setup?

Just my opinion, but it would appear:
Some people feel like they need to control the user (assumption is the user
is dumb, malicious, or a screw up - can't follow instructions). Another
factor might be that the process designed into the APP is very sequential
and rigid.

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Regards,
Tom Ogilvy



"George" wrote in message
...
Is there any inherent advantage in designing an App in Excel with custom
menus, toolbars, worksheet data validation, taking control of the UI from
the user etc etc? To me, it appears to be a wasted effort with more time
spent keeping the user away from the UI of Excel than developing program
logic. However, I am aware that this has/is being done. The Apps I have
seen with this setup seem to lack a 'professional' look and feel. What is
the logic behind selecting this setup?

Hi George,

Is there any inherent advantage in designing an App in Excel with custom
menus, toolbars, worksheet data validation, taking control of the UI from
the user etc etc? To me, it appears to be a wasted effort with more time
spent keeping the user away from the UI of Excel than developing program
logic. However, I am aware that this has/is being done. The Apps I have
seen with this setup seem to lack a 'professional' look and feel. What is
the logic behind selecting this setup?

These are commonly known as 'Dictator' applications and are most applicable
when you want to create an application that looks and behaves like any other
Windows application, but which utilises the powerful features built in to
Excel for data entry, analysis and reporting. Most of that analysis is done
behind-the-scenes and the intention is to provide the users with a menuing
system and user interface that will allow (force?) them to concentrate on
the tasks required by the application itself instead of being distracted by
trying to remember where and how you want them to enter data.

Regards

Stephen Bullen
Microsoft MVP - Excel
www.BMSLtd.co.uk