Using Excel Visual Basic for Applications [Paperback]

Jeff Webb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1996

Written by a former Senior Writer at Microsoft, this book shows the reader how to do everything from simple macro creation to powerful application development. Readers will be able to speed up the development process and avoid "reinventing the wheel" for common processes.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Written by a former Senior Writer at Microsoft, this book shows the reader how to do everything from simple macro creation to powerful application development. Readers will be able to speed up the development process and avoid "reinventing the wheel" for common processes. - Leads the reader through the process of recording and modifying macros

- Explains how to create stand-alone Windows applications

- Perfect companion to the Visual Basic Application documentation

About the Author

Jeff Webb was a senior member of the BASIC documentation team at Microsoft. He worked on BASIC PDS, QBASIC, OLE Automation and all versions of Visual Basic. He has contributed to several computer books and help systems on topics such as Visual Basic, OLE, and programming integrated applications with Microsoft Office. Currently he runs Wombat Technology in Seattle, WA. A(c) Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Paperback: 868 pages
• Publisher: Que; 2 Sub edition (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078970269X
• ISBN-13: 978-0789702692
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,558,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Spreadsheets

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Written Book I own for Visual Basic/Studio/App, March 30, 2005

By 

Joe Bruin "GO BRUINS!" (Home of the Bruins!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Using Excel Visual Basic for Applications (Paperback)

I own nearly a dozen books on Visual Studio(VS), Visual Basic(VB), and Visual Basic for Applications(VBA). For the past 3 years, I have architected personal / workplace solutions, and have been mostly self-taught through books and online learning opportunities.

After finding "Using Excel Visual Basic For Applications," by Jeff Webb, it has become hands-down my primary resource. "The Excel Bible," by John Walkenbach used to be my book of choice, but where Walkenbach concentrates more on explaining Excel, Jeff Webb has developed his effort to elaborate on VBA, and is focused on object-oriented programming.

For instance, Chapter 5 of 21 includes a section on the 'Application Object.' Starting with an explanation of what is an Application Object, a chart spanning three pages, consisting of 'Properties and Methods' applicable to an Object follows. It is analogous to VB's Object Browser, since both provide the Developer a directory listing. Then Jeff Webb steps into each entry and provides explanations of what happens to the object, like VB Help, and a code snippit. For example:

[Application.]ActiveCell

Bracketed items being optional, this example would mean the snippit is merely 'ActiveCell', and can be inserted into the code of a function or subroutine ie.

Sub Subname()
ActiveCell
Exit Sub

This procedure will return the range of where the Excel cursor is, also known as the "Input Focus."

If what you have just read makes sense to you but don't understand, you could benefit from owning "Using Excel Visual Basic for Applications." If there is no comprehension, I suggest reading, 'Microsoft Office Excel 2003 Bible' by John Walkenbach from WILEY Publishing.

PS. I am not affiliated with QUE, Jeff Webb, WILEY, or John Walkenbach, and did not receive any compensation for this commentary about either book, just in case the thought occurred...

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very clear, well organized, and comprehensive, January 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Using Excel Visual Basic for Applications (Paperback)

An excellent reference book for programmers who have some basic familiarity with VBA. Webb does not drown his reader in pages of useless listings or chimpanzee instructions (Go to the Menu Bar, click File, click Open, click OK, duh) that have seemed to overtake so many other training books. Instead, he provides an intelligent tour of VBA. Might be outdated, but still worth it!

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not so Special, December 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Using Excel Visual Basic for Applications (Paperback)

First of all the examples are not put on a CD, nor can you download them from the publishers website. That makes it a little frustrating. Secondly, it is not very indepth. So if you just want basic explanations on VBA "stuff" then go for it, else find another book. I suppose my first tip off to not buy the book was that the author works for microsoft. Another persons comment was quite appropriate - it is a rehash of the help (and just as helpful (not)). No hard feelings Mr. Webb.