TIPS / SUGESSIONS TO MASTERS

[vipulgos]

Hi all masters, i'm not sure how far it is right to post this matter, but looking to lot of questions fired and replies i've come to conclusion that most of the new excel users (like me) got confused with the short answers, no doubt the answers are the fastest, clearest, and perfact, but what needed is when there is new user, all masters should specify:
1. where the code is actually to be used?
e.g. in module, in general part or in worksheet part?
2. some of the functions may not be in office suite it may be downloaded from addins available, so please give the url too.
3. If there is possibility to solve the problem without use of VB then it may be the better idea to use funtios of excel, in place of VB functions..--
Thanks, hoping for all possitive
--Vipul Gosalia

 

[stevebausch]

Nice ideas, I agree with you, in theory. However, some requesters are clueless as to what they are doing. I for one am not inclined to spend thirty minutes on a reply, then find out that further explanation is needed.

I am not interested in creating chapters for a book.


Oh, how about the requesters coming back to the thread and posting a "Thank You" ??

 

[Von Pookie]

There is no problem that I am aware of with bring up any concerns you may have.

This topic has actually been brought up before: (please see this thread from the "Questions About This Board" forum).

As for your points: they are all quite valid. The main problem, however, is due to the fact that the original poster usually does not include all of the facts, such as actually mentioning that they are beginners and would need to be told all of that.

I know that when I answer a question, I sometimes have started out typing out every single click of the mouse needed, but then think that if I post that, and they are a somewhat "regular" user, they may think that I am being arrogant and simply assuming they don't know what they are doing.

For the most part, if I end up posting one of those quick, short answers, I try to remember to add something along the lines of "if you need more help with this, please let me/us know."

I hope this has answered some of the questions you have.

 

[NateO]

On 2002-11-21 14:17, vipulgos wrote:
Hi all masters, i'm not sure how far it is right to post this matter

Howdy vipulgos, oh it's perfectly alright. I think this is a more pertinent forum. I'm no master, so this isn't directed at me...

new excel users (like me) got confused with the short answers, no doubt the answers are the fastest, clearest, and perfact, but what needed is when there is new user, all masters should specify:
1. where the code is actually to be used?
e.g. in module, in general part or in worksheet part?
2. some of the functions may not be in office suite it may be downloaded from addins available, so please give the url too.
3. If there is possibility to solve the problem without use of VB then it may be the better idea to use funtios of excel, in place of VB functions..--
Thanks, hoping for all possitive
--Vipul Gosalia

But I'll take a shot anyways... It is unfortunate when a beginner gets confused, no doubt, but not catastrophic. The beauty of the board is the ability to respond.

The issue for me that arises, much like I was telling my ex-girlfriend:

I have a degree in Finance, not esp, telepathy, astrology, tarrot card reading, etc...

So, I typically have no idea how comfortable the op is with a response. Sometimes it goes the other way, if you over explain you trample their dignity. It does become tedious as well, if for every event procedure I post, I say to right-click on a worksheet, etc... Simply post back,Thanks, incidentally, what's a worksheet event procedure? Where does it go?

Similarily if you need a link, usually those get posted in my experience...

With respect to #3, perhaps.... Sometimes people can't/don't think of multiple ways to skin a cat and worksheet function solutions/manual procedures, while possible, aren't as intuitive, and perhaps not as efficient... Sometimes, vice-versa.

In any case, food for thought. Have a good one.

_________________
Cheers,<font size=+2><font color="red"> Nate<font color="blue"> Oliver</font></font></font>
This message was edited by NateO on 2002-11-21 15:05

 

[vipulgos]

All the views, ideas, suggestions are highly welcome, in short all the author who sents their topics should specifically identify themselves as "NEW TO EXCEL", "SOMEWHAT EXPERIENCED" AND HIGHLY EXPERIENCED"
--VIPUL

 

[Juan Pablo González]

On 2002-11-21 15:05, vipulgos wrote:
All the views, ideas, suggestions are highly welcome, in short all the author who sents their topics should specifically identify themselves as "NEW TO EXCEL", "SOMEWHAT EXPERIENCED" AND HIGHLY EXPERIENCED"
--VIPUL

Hey, just my two cents here. This categories that you define, well, its the same problem as saying that a "Topic is solved". Who sets the rule ? I, for one, thought I was a highly experienced Excel user 1 year ago, but I found this board and learned 4 or 5 times the things that I already knew...

Anyway, it's just a matter or little details :wink:

 

[Jack in the UK]

Hi

I feel i have been here before and have championed this many times, thus to me detriment even as of late.

Im with you buddy, as a general rule as i see it, im my opinion not that im saying its final, i dont care about the question and how its asked, the poster is saying one work HELP. so as they dont know what they are talking about thus the request or they are confused / lost / or just cant solve it they ask, thats the point of the board to get assistance guidance and help. Im far from even having a basic knowledge of Excel, and I can even spell [must to my down full I add] but the reply needs to explain as much as possible. But I agree with Steve here I too do answer as may as I can, some feel no worth the effort and I am not really helping more supportive rather than provide a solution I disagree, help even negative is a success and encouragement is a success and it makes the OP work the problem, and seek the solution, as we know there is always many solutions, and the detail listed means what good for one might with some guidance note be easier for another and un workable to another this is why Excel is interesting to me OPTIONS.


I have always maintained and continue to say i have grave concerns over the reply’s, not so the questions, see tome the answer post is saying i know how to help or try this is might help... that’s the point.

Again i repeat myself, but here is hoping any rate,

Not treating on toes, just my opinion.

Hope this aids you OP some way

Kindest possible regards

JITUK

 

[Jack in the UK]

Hi Juan

Topic is solved". Who sets the rule ?


No one as far as I know I feel the idea was to say thanks if you have a workable solution and marking SOLVED was a flag to say yes the OP was happy and has a solution, not that the op is closed, just a flag to say HAPPY, a solution found. But remember anyone can still add or revive the post.

I will add older posts have been locked if they are posted to?? Even if a solution has been added in the passed.

Well that’s as I understand it, no rule just a local practice ny some, a flag

Kindest possible regards Juan

Jack

 

[Anne Troy]

I agree with Jack, I think.

I like the idea of marking posts solved. It lets a searcher know which posts were solved and which may not have been. So, if I search for something like VLOOKUP (sorry--a common question, so not such a great example) and see 3 marked solved and 30 NOT marked solved, then I'd certainly search those 3 first.

However, having moderated at another busy tech site for the past 5 years, I can tell you it's VERY difficult to keep up with posts that are solved or not. It would take a lot more moderators here at MrExcel to follow them, I think.

But I STILL like the idea a lot.

I will say that in that other forum, some took it to the extreme and wanted to mark Advice Offered and stuff like that...YUK!! And the Solved thing worked until we just became overwhelmed with posts...

 

[XL-Dennis]

vipulgos,

In addition to all the good answers You´ve already got

From my point of view there are some aspects that need to be lifted up:

- The directhelp via F1-button is often overlooked by the XL-beginners.

Yes, it might be difficult to fully understand it in the beginning but it´s well worth the time to spend. The best thing with it, it´s always available

- Trial & Error, which is perhaps the best way to learn. If You got an answer from the Board then You have an solution but not always the road to use it.

- Printed books
Although we expect to find almost everything on the Internet I still claim that books are very good investments and still one of the best sources. Like the F1-button, a book is always available.

- HelpBoards & Communities
It´s part of the way this channels of help works that the replies don´t include all the details to implement solutions.

The Archieves seems to be forgotten or disregarded from many XL-beginners. The best advice - Use them!

Finally,
It´s the combination of different available source for learning XL that is the best way to learn XL.

If someone would be require to get solutions fully implemented, i e up & running and complete then the best source is consultancy, which costs.

Kind regards,
Dennis