25 Years of MrExcel on November 21, 2023

November 21, 2023 - by Suat M. Ozgur

Can you believe it's been a quarter century since the MrExcel Message Board kicked off? Time really does fly when you're having Excel fun! As we take a stroll down memory lane, let's celebrate this incredible journey we've all been on together.

A big shout-out to our main man, Bill Jelen, for dreaming up this space where Excel enthusiasts could come together. Thanks to Bill's vision and dedication, the MrExcel Message Board is not just a place to crack Excel problems—it's become a thriving community of learning, collaboration, and some pretty awesome friendships.

Speaking of Excel learning, did you know that Bill Jelen has authored more than 60 books (67 to be exact)  about Excel, Power Query, and VBA? That's right, more than 60 books! His expertise has not only fueled this incredible community but has also provided invaluable resources for Excel enthusiasts around the globe. What's even more inspiring is that Bill encouraged most of us to share our expertise by writing our own books in various areas, and he published those books through Holy Macro Books! Bill's support has not only built a platform for collaborative learning but has also empowered individuals to become authors in their respective fields.

For many of us the MrExcel Message Board was more than just a troubleshooting pit stop. It became a launchpad into the vast world of programming and computing, albeit with a focus on our beloved Excel. What started as seeking answers to Excel puzzles turned into a quarter-century of exploring the ins and outs of all things tech related to our favorite spreadsheet software. And let's not forget the magic of collaboration—many of us went from asking questions to sharing our own knowledge with the community.

This 25th anniversary isn't just about the numbers—it's about the countless aha moments, the lightbulb flickers, and the bonds we've formed here. Every question asked and every solution shared has played a role in shaping the MrExcel Message Board into the buzzing hub it is today.

Here's to a quarter century of Excel excellence and to many more to come! As we throw confetti in the virtual air, let's raise a virtual toast to Bill Jelen for being the brains behind this operation and to each one of you who has made this community what it is.

Thanks for being part of this incredible journey!

Now, let's hear from the heartbeat of our community—the incredible members whose stories and experiences have woven the rich tapestry of the MrExcel Message Board. Their words are a testament to the lasting impact this forum has had on individuals who share a common love for Excel and a passion for problem-solving. Here's a glimpse into the sentiments of our fellow community members as we celebrate 25 years of Excel excellence.

Matt from Winfield, IN writes...

Thank you, Bill, for 25 years of hosting such a great message board! So many of us are forever indebted to you for the stepping stones (or catapults!) this platform has given us in our careers and for the friendships cultivated along the way.

I met Bill for a drink when he came to Chicago back in 2008... I think we're long, long overdue for round #2!

Joe4 says from somewhere in New York State...

It all started back in 2002, when I started to use VBA for my job, and had a simple question about printing named ranges. I had lots more questions as I delved deeper into VBA and MrExcel quickly became my “go-to” place for answers. I enjoyed it so much, that I decided to stick around, and found myself starting to answer questions, instead of just asking them. And then I started to use Microsoft Access and started asking and answering questions in that forum too! I must have had been spending a lot of time here, because they eventually asked me to be an MVP, and then a Moderator!

It is hard to believe I have been here over 20 years already! Where has the time gone? I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, helping people, and engaging in some classic banter, especially in the early days with users like starl, NateO, Greg Truby, Richard Schollar, Von Pookie, Jon von der Heyden, fluff, and many, many more!

It is nice to see with all the passing fads on the internet, that after 25 years MrExcel is still going as strong as ever! Congrats on 25 years, Bill, and here's to another 25 more!

From Peter_SSs in Australia

I joined MrExcel in 2005 to get help for a work project that I was involved in at the time. Over the years I transformed from asking for help in the forums to giving it. Now, in retirement, I continue here as a hobby - enjoying helping others as well as always learning new things about Excel. I also enjoy giving a small amount back to MrExcel by helping a little with forum administration.

Unfortunately I have not met MrExcel (Bill) himself but I have had great experiences meeting & developing friendships with other forum members here in Australia as well as in Italy, Malta and England.

Congratulations to MrExcel on thriving for 25 years!

MARK858 from the Board

I joined this forum (probably like most) looking for a solution to a particular problem. In my case I hadn’t used Excel properly since my college days, but now we had a program at work which wasn’t giving the layout that we wanted but did have the option to send to a text document.

As we needed to use a program everyone had access to and Excel was the obvious answer and so I turned to a couple of forums for help and MrExcel was one of them. After a while I felt comfortable answering some questions and eventually found that the feel of this forum and the number of posts it received meant that I felt most at ease posting on this forum and so here I am.

The relaxed feel of the forum I put down to the way Bill has set up MrExcel and his Philosophy about passing on knowledge. I thank Bill for setting up and providing the resources to keep the forum going as the benefits to others can be seen every day.

I hope to see the forum continuing for many years to come.

Tracy says...

Life has many forks, most of which we aren’t aware of. Meeting Bill led me down a road that has shaped the last 20+ years of my life. When I met Bill, he offered me a job as the project manager for the consulting side of MrExcel and a chance to be his co-author. So, I left corporate and stepped into the life as a consultant and author. Eventually I became a full-time programmer and author of 10 Excel books, 7 of then on VBA, 3 of them on using Excel (of which 2 I solo-wrote). I love what I do. I work with a variety clients and am never bored. The forum has brought other Excel enthusiasts into my life where I’ve learned different methods of doing the same thing and even had discussions on the inner-workings in Excel.

Congratulations, Bill, on 25 years of helping people!

Suat M. Ozgur says...

As we celebrate the great milestone of MrExcel's 25th anniversary, I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey we've shared. For me, it all began more than two decades ago with a simple request to tweak something on the MrExcel Message Board (the "Zero Replies" feature on the board to be exact!), a challenge that eventually led me to delve into the world of Linux and Web Development. Little did I know that this seemingly small task would turn into a great passion and eventually become my primary profession. MrExcel.com not only marks its own success today but personally, also serves as an important trigger for a significant chapter in my life.

Cheers to your accomplishments, Bill! As we celebrate this milestone, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Thank you for the opportunities, the lessons, and the journey. On this special occasion, wishing you and the MrExcel Message Board continued success.

Happy 25th anniversary!