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#1
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Decent Excel VBA books and some sites
Thanks to the guys who were so swift in anwering my question.
Can anyone recommend some good beginners and advanced Excel VBA books. Also any recommendations fo online resources would be welcome. I am about to search about.com but would welcome other suggestions. Thanks you. -- Hal |
#2
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Decent Excel VBA books and some sites
Are you ready for this? This is a response given by Norman Harke (he's an
academic, so you'll understand why he is so verbose <vbg) Here's a bit of a summary collation of Excel resources posted originally in response to a question on how to become an Excel Expert. Perhaps the very best resource is yourself! Few experts have gained their in-depth knowledge other than by banging their heads on the keyboard trying to work out solutions to problems. It's sometimes frustrating but even blind alleys teach you things and successes are very rewarding. Don't get too concerned though. The current hard stuff becomes easier as you progress. I use a program called NetCaptor that allows multi-tabbed copies of Explorer and I have "Captor groups" set up in three blocks as follows: Prime Sites Secondary Sites Microsoft Sites PRIME Chip Pearson: http://www.cpearson.com/excel/*topic.htm Ranked number one equal because his index is so crystal clear and content so broad Dave McRitchie http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie*/excel/xlindex.htm Ranked number one for breadth of content but the index is necessarily more difficult. John Walkenbach http://j-walk.com/ss/excel/ind*ex.htm Lots of useful Add-ins and downloadable examples from one of the most popular writers of Excel texts. Then there's a special link that is worth going to immediately: SPECIAL Ron de Bruin www.rondebruin.nl/Google.htm Ron has an Add-In that you can download free of charge. It installs a Google search tool under your Help menu in Excel. If you don't Google search Excel problems now, you will soon do so when you get the hang of it. SECONDARY I've left out many real gems on the web. I plead guilty and ask for the need for selectivity to be taken into account. Plus, even with NetCaptor it does take time to download all the front pages. But just briefly and all with different strengths in different areas: http://www.bmsltd.co.uk/Excel/*Default.htm http://contextures.com/tiptech*.html http://www.erlandsendata.no/en*glish/index.htm http://www.mvps.org/vb/ http://www.decisionmodels.com/*calcsecretsj.htm http://www.vbapro.com/ http://www.rb-ad.dircon.co.uk/*rob/e...tips/index.htm http://www.pcmag.com/category2*/0,4148,29,00.asp http://www.tushar-mehta.com/ http://www.geocities.com/jonpe*ltier...rts/index.html http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel*/index MICROSOFT http://support.microsoft.com/d*efaul...;en-us;kbin*fo http://www.microsoft.com/downl*oads/search.asp? http://www.microsoft.com/ http://support.microsoft.com/d*efaul...Exce*l/Content... NEWSGROUPS But don't forget the newsgroups. It's the number one learning tool on the internet. Post a question and it usually doesn't take more than an hour to get a reply or three. Posters are all volunteers who give their expertise freely and cheerfully. It's not total altruism at work because they know that it is also by far the best way to extend their skills, keep them at their finger-tips and solve the particular problems they have (or might not realize they have!) Most often you'll get a solution and / or a reference to the place to go that covers the problem definitely (well.....) or in depth. You can also gain very valuable expertise by "lurking" and seeing what replies are to various questions that interest you and even more so by attempting answers yourself even if at first you don't send but see if you are right. But don't worry about making bloopers as we all do that and I've not yet known anyone treated other than with respect when they are trying to help or are being helped. The top three newsgroups in terms of usage a microsoft.public.excel.misc microsoft.public.excel.program*ming microsoft.public.excel.workshe*et.functions Post only to one group and select the one you think most likely to be the right one for your query. If in doubt use misc but not to worry because you'll probably get an answer on whatever group you go for. But don't attach files as this is very much frowned on because of download times and costs if it became too prevalent and because of fear of viruses etc. Generally the very act of describing your problem triggers the solution before you finish asking the questions (and sometimes triggers it just as you click "send" <vbg) Make sure that you connect through: msnews.microsoft.com It's faster and quicker to update. Also make sure you read Chip Pearson's and Dave McRitchie's Hints for new posters. They provide a wealth of useful information on getting the most out of newsgroups. BOOKS But there's still no substitute for some good hard copy text for structured and comprehensive coverage of the area. Here, you might do some preliminary research on what's available at: http://www.amazon.com Don't forget to use their search tool. Most texts are available through them at a discount and it's well worth reading the Author reviews and the reviews posted by readers. Don't just go for star rating or even Amazon sales ranking but if it sounds good, rates good and ranks good (established texts only) it's probably worth having a good look at it. Amazon are quite cheap and pretty fast; that can be quite important when the good bookshops are hard to find and / or carry limited stock and / or (like Australia) if it takes at least 6 months before the new title is floated across the ocean on a raft. John Walkenbach is regarded as one of the leading writers on Excel and many swear by (and occasionally at) his "trilogy" Excel 2002 Bible, Excel 2002 Power Programming with VBA and Excel 2002 Formulas. Don't worry about your Excel Version number as the earlier Version differences are clearly signposted. But there are other extremely good texts that are worth browsing before buying as it is a matter of taste. For a downloadable recent list of the range of current material available go to: Debra Dalgleish http://contextures.com/tiptech*.html Debra maintains the current list of published texts with classification, titles, prices and ISBNs. FINALLY Don't forget the online Help that comes with Excel. Too many people deride it as being written for geeks by geeks. It does have it's moments but generally it is getting better and better with each succeeding version. That should keep you busy for a while. But remember that one of the main joys of Excel is that it is so broad and so deep that you will never know it all. Also it has so many applications to different disciplines and sub-disciplines that you will never stop finding hidden depths and applications. -- Regards Norman Harker MVP (Excel) Sydney, Australia -- HTH RP (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "Hal Styli" wrote in message ... Thanks to the guys who were so swift in anwering my question. Can anyone recommend some good beginners and advanced Excel VBA books. Also any recommendations fo online resources would be welcome. I am about to search about.com but would welcome other suggestions. Thanks you. -- Hal |
#3
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
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Decent Excel VBA books and some sites
Sorry Norm, missed the final r from your surname.
-- HTH RP (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "Bob Phillips" wrote in message ... Are you ready for this? This is a response given by Norman Harke (he's an academic, so you'll understand why he is so verbose <vbg) Here's a bit of a summary collation of Excel resources posted originally in response to a question on how to become an Excel Expert. Perhaps the very best resource is yourself! Few experts have gained their in-depth knowledge other than by banging their heads on the keyboard trying to work out solutions to problems. It's sometimes frustrating but even blind alleys teach you things and successes are very rewarding. Don't get too concerned though. The current hard stuff becomes easier as you progress. I use a program called NetCaptor that allows multi-tabbed copies of Explorer and I have "Captor groups" set up in three blocks as follows: Prime Sites Secondary Sites Microsoft Sites PRIME Chip Pearson: http://www.cpearson.com/excel/*topic.htm Ranked number one equal because his index is so crystal clear and content so broad Dave McRitchie http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie*/excel/xlindex.htm Ranked number one for breadth of content but the index is necessarily more difficult. John Walkenbach http://j-walk.com/ss/excel/ind*ex.htm Lots of useful Add-ins and downloadable examples from one of the most popular writers of Excel texts. Then there's a special link that is worth going to immediately: SPECIAL Ron de Bruin www.rondebruin.nl/Google.htm Ron has an Add-In that you can download free of charge. It installs a Google search tool under your Help menu in Excel. If you don't Google search Excel problems now, you will soon do so when you get the hang of it. SECONDARY I've left out many real gems on the web. I plead guilty and ask for the need for selectivity to be taken into account. Plus, even with NetCaptor it does take time to download all the front pages. But just briefly and all with different strengths in different areas: http://www.bmsltd.co.uk/Excel/*Default.htm http://contextures.com/tiptech*.html http://www.erlandsendata.no/en*glish/index.htm http://www.mvps.org/vb/ http://www.decisionmodels.com/*calcsecretsj.htm http://www.vbapro.com/ http://www.rb-ad.dircon.co.uk/*rob/e...tips/index.htm http://www.pcmag.com/category2*/0,4148,29,00.asp http://www.tushar-mehta.com/ http://www.geocities.com/jonpe*ltier...rts/index.html http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel*/index MICROSOFT http://support.microsoft.com/d*efaul...;en-us;kbin*fo http://www.microsoft.com/downl*oads/search.asp? http://www.microsoft.com/ http://support.microsoft.com/d*efaul...Exce*l/Content... NEWSGROUPS But don't forget the newsgroups. It's the number one learning tool on the internet. Post a question and it usually doesn't take more than an hour to get a reply or three. Posters are all volunteers who give their expertise freely and cheerfully. It's not total altruism at work because they know that it is also by far the best way to extend their skills, keep them at their finger-tips and solve the particular problems they have (or might not realize they have!) Most often you'll get a solution and / or a reference to the place to go that covers the problem definitely (well.....) or in depth. You can also gain very valuable expertise by "lurking" and seeing what replies are to various questions that interest you and even more so by attempting answers yourself even if at first you don't send but see if you are right. But don't worry about making bloopers as we all do that and I've not yet known anyone treated other than with respect when they are trying to help or are being helped. The top three newsgroups in terms of usage a microsoft.public.excel.misc microsoft.public.excel.program*ming microsoft.public.excel.workshe*et.functions Post only to one group and select the one you think most likely to be the right one for your query. If in doubt use misc but not to worry because you'll probably get an answer on whatever group you go for. But don't attach files as this is very much frowned on because of download times and costs if it became too prevalent and because of fear of viruses etc. Generally the very act of describing your problem triggers the solution before you finish asking the questions (and sometimes triggers it just as you click "send" <vbg) Make sure that you connect through: msnews.microsoft.com It's faster and quicker to update. Also make sure you read Chip Pearson's and Dave McRitchie's Hints for new posters. They provide a wealth of useful information on getting the most out of newsgroups. BOOKS But there's still no substitute for some good hard copy text for structured and comprehensive coverage of the area. Here, you might do some preliminary research on what's available at: http://www.amazon.com Don't forget to use their search tool. Most texts are available through them at a discount and it's well worth reading the Author reviews and the reviews posted by readers. Don't just go for star rating or even Amazon sales ranking but if it sounds good, rates good and ranks good (established texts only) it's probably worth having a good look at it. Amazon are quite cheap and pretty fast; that can be quite important when the good bookshops are hard to find and / or carry limited stock and / or (like Australia) if it takes at least 6 months before the new title is floated across the ocean on a raft. John Walkenbach is regarded as one of the leading writers on Excel and many swear by (and occasionally at) his "trilogy" Excel 2002 Bible, Excel 2002 Power Programming with VBA and Excel 2002 Formulas. Don't worry about your Excel Version number as the earlier Version differences are clearly signposted. But there are other extremely good texts that are worth browsing before buying as it is a matter of taste. For a downloadable recent list of the range of current material available go to: Debra Dalgleish http://contextures.com/tiptech*.html Debra maintains the current list of published texts with classification, titles, prices and ISBNs. FINALLY Don't forget the online Help that comes with Excel. Too many people deride it as being written for geeks by geeks. It does have it's moments but generally it is getting better and better with each succeeding version. That should keep you busy for a while. But remember that one of the main joys of Excel is that it is so broad and so deep that you will never know it all. Also it has so many applications to different disciplines and sub-disciplines that you will never stop finding hidden depths and applications. -- Regards Norman Harker MVP (Excel) Sydney, Australia -- HTH RP (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "Hal Styli" wrote in message ... Thanks to the guys who were so swift in anwering my question. Can anyone recommend some good beginners and advanced Excel VBA books. Also any recommendations fo online resources would be welcome. I am about to search about.com but would welcome other suggestions. Thanks you. -- Hal |
#4
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
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Decent Excel VBA books and some sites
Hi Hal,
Thanks to the guys who were so swift in anwering my question. Can anyone recommend some good beginners and advanced Excel VBA books. Also any recommendations fo online resources would be welcome. I am about to search about.com but would welcome other suggestions. Bob's given you a great list of sites. As for books, John Walkenbach has a number of VBA books targetted at different skill levels, while I've helped write a few targetted at intermediate and advanced users. Regards Stephen Bullen Microsoft MVP - Excel Professional Excel Development The most advanced Excel VBA book available www.oaltd.co.uk/ProExcelDev |
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