Best Practices

[pmm19518]

Does anyone know where I can get information or a book or article on best practices for using Excel?
In various business situations, I'm finding it's not that people don't know *how* to use the software, they often just don't know the best way. And I'm one of them.

Thanks for any help,
Patricia

 

[starl]

Patricia - not really sure what you mean. As pm for MrExcel, I've seen people use Excel for normal Accounting and Stocks, to tracking patient health, drawing stuff... it has a wide number of uses.
Have you looked in our store? http://www.mrexcel.com/sunshop/index.php
There are some somewhat specific materials in there: Excel for Scientiests, Guerilla Data Analaysis (aimed at accounts, but actually great for anyone dealing with lots of numerical data)

 

[Smitty]

Welcome to the Board, Patricia!

I think you'll find that many people "use" Excel, but not efficiently (where I work people complain when they turn the monitor on and the PC doesn't start... ), and many people (especially here) use Excel almost to the point of its limitations.

Mr. Excel (aka Bill Jelen) has written some (a bunch) of Excel books (Tracy, the lady who first responded to you, helped a lot). You'll find his stuff on the site. (Fortunately for us, that's part of how he funds the site )

He's got some excellent primers (and beyond) for Excel, as well as methods for analysis and putting Excel to work for you.

What you want to do with it is another proposition altogether though, as Excel is only as complicated as you make it.

Take a look at http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html for some good Excel ideas to start (in a non-forum context).

Just note that if you ever have a question, this is the place to be, so don't be afraid to ask it! We're all here to help out!

Hope that helps,

Smitty

 

[pmm19518]

Thanks

Thanks for your responses. I went to Barnes and Noble in Rockville and saw Bill's book. I also found out that we have Excel for Scientists at work. yeah

I did find a book titled "Best Practices for Excel" in the book store also. I'm going to buy it AND start reading "Excel for Scientists," since we consult with scientists here at work and help them with Excel.

I'm recommending this message board to the other MS Office trainers.

Thanks so much!
Patricia
P.S. I really like the contextures site.