Maybe you can help. I got an email this week from an Excel 2007 user who wants book recommendations:
“I have a question about Excel Visual Basic. My purpose is to write my own Excel formula. Where or what book do you think I could learn from? I have no prior knowledge of programming.”
Step By Step Books
I like the Step by Step books for a good intro to a topic, although I haven’t read the Excel 2007 version.
Power Programming
John’s Power Programming book covers all the basics, and well beyond. It might be overwhelming for someone with absolutely no programming experience though.
Advanced Programming Books
The following books are excellent resources, but for intermediate to advanced programmers, not beginners.
- Professional Excel Development; Stephen Bullen, Rob Bovey, John Green; Addison-Wesley Professional; ISBN:0321262506
- Excel 2007 VBA Programmer’s Reference; John Green, Stephen Bullen, Rob Bovey, Michael Alexander; 1176 pages; Wrox Press Inc; 2007; ISBN 978-0470046432
What Would You Recommend?
If there are other books you’d recommend for a beginner, please add them in the comments.
Thanks!
Anything by Bill Jelen… For example:
VBA and Macros for Microsoft Office Excel 2007 (Business Solutions) by Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad
When I knew nothing about VBA I picked up the previous version of the book (my company has not upgraded to 2007) and read it cover to cover. It was actually enjoyable and easy to read. It taught me VBA and I still use it as a reference today. This book, google, and some of the better VBA forums are all you need!
I’ve heard that the VBA programmer’s reference is good from some reliable sources, but I haven’t actually read it myself.
My #1 recommended book for VBA is definitely John’s Excel 2xxx Power Programming with VBA. His writing style is clear, and the book has virtually everything in it. As far as overwhelming… maybe. For a complete beginner, I think tht the book would probably best be consumed with a forum or newsgroup to back it up. 🙂
I’ve never bought a book on Excel. Everything I learned was through experimentation, hanging around the MS Excel newsgroup (a lot), and reading the gurus’ websites (like Debra’s!). Sometimes I’ll query the newsgroup archives via Google if I’m looking for ideas to solve an Excel problem.
Debra,
The list you provide is right on the money. In fact, I have referred to the 2003 versions of each of these books in the last week alone. (No 2007 for me yet)
The BIG win, in addition to the books, is of course the web community. There are many references to the “rouge’s gallery” of web sites, but I will say that Contextures is clearly one of the most valuable for its pivot table (and other) content. I’m also really a fan of PTS Blog for charts
My personal favorite (though it might be a bit advanced for your querant) is Microsoft Excel: Data Analysis and Business Modeling by Wayne L. Winston.
I like it for talking you through simple, but increasingly harder, examples using the Excel sheets it provides. A bonus if you’re an applied learner.
Excel VBA for Dummies is a good start one too. It’s also hyper-accurate. 🙂
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions — they should really help the person who asked for recommendations.
Now I have to find a copy of Excel VBA for Dummies, and see if that technical editor missed anything. 😉
Pro Excel 2007 VBA is a good second source for intermediate VBA.