MS Help-search algorithm sucks

#1 I don't want to "Select a Discussion Group" (accordingly, since I MUST,
I will post to a bunch of discussion groups and hope against all hope that
some nice microserf will actually show this to somebody who might actually do
something about their awful product, someday, when the sun is shining and
they have nothing better to do, except that it will get raised as an issue
from only one consumer/end product user, and get killed in a meeting, because
it would involve caring about customers, and actually responding to their
concerns - god forbid they have an effective Help-seatch-algorithm)
#2 I don't want to post a suggestion
#3 I want to contact MS directly and tell them their product is awful
(Excel search specifically), NOT post to a "Discussion Group"
#4 I would like a reply from a person telling me my concerns are valid (and
have them admit their product sucks, and the seach function is as weak as a
sick kitten)

Okay, that said, here is my "suggestion for a Discussion Group": the
algorithm for searching for "Help" in Excel is awful and wretched and
annoying and frequently useless. I can't believe how difficult microsoft
makes it to do the simplest tasks. I find it frustrating to be defeated by
software that claims to be useful. Suggestion: TOTALLY REVAMP YOUR SEARCH
ALGOTITHM - CLONE THE ONE GOOGLE USES. IT WORKS.

BTW, this is called "a complaint", not a rant...

Mark
Boston, MA

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This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
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click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...excel.newusers

Brainless_in_Boston wrote:
MS Help-search algorithm sucks

#1 I don't want to "Select a Discussion Group" (accordingly, since I MUST,
I will post to a bunch of discussion groups and hope against all hope that
some nice microserf will actually show this to somebody who might actually do
something about their awful product, someday, when the sun is shining and
they have nothing better to do, except that it will get raised as an issue
from only one consumer/end product user, and get killed in a meeting, because
it would involve caring about customers, and actually responding to their
concerns - god forbid they have an effective Help-seatch-algorithm)
#2 I don't want to post a suggestion
#3 I want to contact MS directly and tell them their product is awful
(Excel search specifically), NOT post to a "Discussion Group"
#4 I would like a reply from a person telling me my concerns are valid (and
have them admit their product sucks, and the seach function is as weak as a
sick kitten)

Okay, that said, here is my "suggestion for a Discussion Group": the
algorithm for searching for "Help" in Excel is awful and wretched and
annoying and frequently useless. I can't believe how difficult microsoft
makes it to do the simplest tasks. I find it frustrating to be defeated by
software that claims to be useful. Suggestion: TOTALLY REVAMP YOUR SEARCH
ALGOTITHM - CLONE THE ONE GOOGLE USES. IT WORKS.

BTW, this is called "a complaint", not a rant...

Mark
Boston, MA

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...excel.newusers

This is a newsgroup for Excel users. As far as I know there are no
Microsoft employees here. This is a group where users help users.

As far the help search function in Excel I can't help. If you post what you
are trying to accomplish there are many people here that a very
knowledgeable and willing to help. Just post exactly what you would like to
do the more info the better. Good luck.

gls858

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.

"Brainless_in_Boston" wrote:

MS Help-search algorithm sucks

#1 I don't want to "Select a Discussion Group" (accordingly, since I MUST,
I will post to a bunch of discussion groups and hope against all hope that
some nice microserf will actually show this to somebody who might actually do
something about their awful product, someday, when the sun is shining and
they have nothing better to do, except that it will get raised as an issue
from only one consumer/end product user, and get killed in a meeting, because
it would involve caring about customers, and actually responding to their
concerns - god forbid they have an effective Help-seatch-algorithm)
#2 I don't want to post a suggestion
#3 I want to contact MS directly and tell them their product is awful
(Excel search specifically), NOT post to a "Discussion Group"
#4 I would like a reply from a person telling me my concerns are valid (and
have them admit their product sucks, and the seach function is as weak as a
sick kitten)

Okay, that said, here is my "suggestion for a Discussion Group": the
algorithm for searching for "Help" in Excel is awful and wretched and
annoying and frequently useless. I can't believe how difficult microsoft
makes it to do the simplest tasks. I find it frustrating to be defeated by
software that claims to be useful. Suggestion: TOTALLY REVAMP YOUR SEARCH
ALGOTITHM - CLONE THE ONE GOOGLE USES. IT WORKS.

BTW, this is called "a complaint", not a rant...

Mark
Boston, MA

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...excel.newusers

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.

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.