Customer Reviews

Microsoft Excel 2000/Visual Basic for Applications Fundamentals

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am using this book as the textbook for a class that I'm teaching on VBA in Excel. This book is good for use in a class because I'm there to clarify a lot of issues. I don't think the book is very good for a non-programmer who is trying to learn VBA. The author assumes that the reader has a decent understanding of programming in general, and in specific an understanding of objects. The students who have looked through the book like it and are ordering their own copies (one copy was provided to each for in-class use). The book has real applications, which is extremely useful for helping students remember what they did. The author uses a different programming technique than I, so I am learning new ways of writing code. To improve the book, I would explain the concept of a variable and object in the first chapter.

This was my first book I used to learn the VB intricacies of Excel. Showed me step-by-step what is possible as far as developing a user application, with a VB fueled spreadsheet. One thing that I liked was code that removed all the users toolbars (makes the visual screen area maximized) and the upon closing, puts them all back. Had results in just about a week with some help from the Microsoft news groups (Excel related). Recommended as a starter for those unfamiliar with VB or Excel.

The book does not do a good job with the fundamentals of VBA. Very brief in its explanation of objects, properties, and methods. Gives plenty of examples but often refers you to Excel help to find out more info about a particular item. If I wanted to do that I would not have bought the book. Very disappointed.

Very bad book to learn Excel Visual Basic
Cons
1) For beginners this book is terrible. The author has not explained the concepts in a methodical way.
2) Estimated Time: At the start of each chapter the author gives "Estimated Time" to finish the chapter. No way anyone can finish the chapter in the said time. Grossly Wrong. How in the world anyone can do this?
3)Very brief in its explanation of objects, properties, and methods. Simple concepts were complicated

Pros
1) Nice approach - step by step
Sounds good but the book is terrible.
2) Project - Answers and CD provided.
Someone with excel experience can learn from this, but not beginners.

Conclusion: Bought this book with the hope that I will be able to master some good excel knowledge, but I was really disappointed with the way this book is written. Wasted so much time trying to grasp the subject. Hate it. Don't ever buy such a piece of junk.

Those with no programming experience should not buy this book. It is helpful in the very detailed examples of what Excel VBA can do for you. The last chapter on Pivot Tables seems a little out of step with the rest of the book. Also, the theory behind what you are doing is not explored so it is a bit superficial. But, as far as getting your feet wet, this is a great place to start.

J'ai commencé avec le livre de John Walkenbach et ensuite j'ai terminé avec le livre de Reed Jacobson; j'aurais dû faire le contraire! Le livre de Reed donne un bien meilleur départ pour visual basic, explique mieux ce que sont les objets et méthodes, les contrôles active-X, etc. Par contre, il est beaucoup axé sur les excel (pivot tables, pivotcharts, etc) et il faut bien comprendre Excel avant de comprendre les macro. John est plus axé sur le langage des macro. Les deux livres sont complémentaires; il faut les deux!

Its a very good book and I wish all users of Excel will get this book