Where do you go when you’ve got an Excel question?
Survey: Where to Find Excel Answers
A while ago, I recommended the Excel newsgroups as a great place to ask questions and get one (or several) solutions. Is that what you use, or something different?
Let’s try a quick survey – it’s my first attempt, so fingers crossed that it goes smoothly! If you answer “Other”, you can add details in the comments, if you’d like.
UPDATE: The poll has closed.
Where I Find Answers
For quick questions, I usually use Google, either a general search, or a newsgroup search.
Next, if nothing turns up in Google, the Microsoft Knowledgebase is my next option, in most cases.
Occasionally, if really stumped, I’ll email a colleague for help.
Excel Books
I have a good collection of Excel books that I use too.
Some are excellent reference books, with a good index, and markers on the pages that I turn to frequently.
Others are more for inspiration, and learning new things, than for research.
Your Excel Books
There’s a list of Excel books on my website, divided into categories. If you use any of those, I’d love to know what you think of them.
Are there any Excel books you’d recommend, that are missing from the list?
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“Excel Necronomicon”! That’s fantastic!
I’d say it depends on the issue where I go. I’ve used every reference on that list except family. (They use me.) I’ve switched to Bing as my primary search engine though, and that tends to be my first stop unless I know I have a source on my bookshelf.
Speaking of bookshelves… you may want to brace yours! Wow!
Thanks Ken, I’ve got Bing set as my home page in IE, and Google as my home page in Firefox. I’ll have to make an effort to use Bing more often.
And those poor bookshelves are pretty bowed, but a tall book in the middle of each shelf is almost as good as a brace, eh?
I would think so… or maybe turn the MVP award boxes on end and put them in for bracing. If all else fails you could glue the shelves to the back of the case with maple syrup. (Just wear gloves… I hear it can be dangerous!)
It usually depends on where I am. Oddly enough, I’m more of a book guy (despite the hours I spend on the internet). I learned to program with Walkenbach’s Power Programming with Excel (2007). When I’m at home, near my bookshelf (which is bowed by the weight of my books just like yours is), that’s the book I usually go to. At work, I, like Ken, usually head over to Bing.com…which usually leads me here, Walkenbach’s website, or Daily Dose of Excel. 😀
If the book doesn’t explain it then it is your site, then if all else fails I go to MS, if you out of luck there it onto the forums or some of your links in the past have proven there worth.
Ken, thanks, excellent advice. 😉
MnM and Fred, thanks, it’s interesting to hear how other people search for answers.