Appendix A: Excel Resources Online
If I've done my job, the information provided in this book will be very useful to you. The book, however, can't cover every conceivable topic about Excel. Therefore, I've compiled a list of additional resources that you may find helpful.
I classify these resources into four categories: Excel's Help system, Microsoft technical support, Internet newsgroups, and Internet Web sites.
The Excel Help System
Many users forget about an excellent source of information: the Excel Help system. This Help information is available by clicking the question mark icon in the upper-right corner of Excel's window or just by pressing F1. Either of these methods displays Excel Help in a new window. You can then type your search query and click Search.
If you're working in the Visual Basic Editor, you can get help by using either of these methods:
• Type a search query in the box to the right of the menu bar and press Enter.
• Move the blinking cursor within any keyword, object, property, or method, and press F1.
The Excel Help system isn't perfect — it often provides only superficial help and ignores some topics altogether. But if you're stuck, a quick search of the Help system may be worth a try.
Microsoft Technical Support
Technical support is the common term for assistance provided by a software vendor. In this case, I'm talking about assistance that comes directly from Microsoft. Microsoft's technical support is available in several different forms.
Support options
Microsoft's support options are constantly changing. To find out what options are available (both free and fee-based), go to
Microsoft Knowledge Base
Perhaps your best bet for solving a problem may be the Microsoft Knowledge Base, which is the primary Microsoft product information source. It's an extensive, searchable database that consists of tens of thousands of detailed articles containing technical information, bug lists, fix lists, and more.
You have free and unlimited access to the Knowledge Base via the Internet. To access the Knowledge Base, go to the following URL, enter some search terms, and click Search:
http://support.microsoft.com/search
Microsoft Excel home page
The official home page of Excel is at
www.microsoft.com/office/excel
This site contains a variety of material, such as tips, templates, answers to questions, training materials, and links to companion products.
Microsoft Office home page
For information about Office 2010 (including Excel), try this site:
You'll find product updates, add-ins, examples, and lots of other useful information.
As you know, the Internet is a dynamic entity that changes rapidly. Web sites are often reorganized, so a particular URL listed in this appendix may not be available when you try to access it.
Internet Newsgroups
Usenet is an Internet service that provides access to several thousand special interest groups and enables you to communicate with people who share common interests. A newsgroup works like a public bulletin board. You can post a message or questions, and (usually) others reply to your message.
Thousands of newsgroups cover virtually every topic you can think of (and many that you haven't thought of). Typically, questions posed on a newsgroup are answered within 24 hours — assuming, of course, that you ask the questions in a manner that makes others want to reply.
Accessing newsgroups by using a newsreader
You can use newsreader software to access the Usenet newsgroups. Many such programs are available, but you probably already have one installed. Depending on your version of Windows, it's called Outlook Express, Windows Mail, or Windows Live Mail (a separate download).
Microsoft maintains an extensive list of newsgroups, including quite a few devoted to Excel. If your Internet service provider doesn't carry the Microsoft newsgroups, you can access them directly from Microsoft's news server. (In fact, that's the preferred method.) You need to configure your newsreader software (not your Web browser) to access Microsoft's news server at this address:
Accessing newsgroups by using a Web browser
As an alternative to using newsreader software, you can read and post to the Microsoft newsgroups directly from your Web browser. This option is often significantly slower than using standard newsgroup software and is best suited for situations in which newsgroup access is prohibited by network policies.
• Access thousands of newsgroups at Google Groups:
• Access the Microsoft newsgroups (including Excel newsgroups) from this URL:
www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx
Table A-1 lists the most popular English-language Excel newsgroups found on Microsoft's news server (and also available at Google Groups).
Table A-1: The Microsoft.Com Excel-Related Newsgroups
|
Newsgroup |
Topic |
|
microsoft.public.excel |
General Excel topics |
|
microsoft.public.excel.charting |
Building charts with Excel |
|
microsoft.public.excel.interopoledde |
OLE, DDE, and other cross-application issues |
|
microsoft.public.excel.macintosh |
Excel issues on the Macintosh operating system |
|
microsoft.public.excel.misc |
General topics that don't fit one of the other categories |
|
microsoft.public.excel.newusers |
Help for newcomers to Excel |
|
microsoft.public.excel.printing |
Printing with Excel |
|
microsoft.public.excel.programming |
Programming Excel with VBA macros |
|
microsoft.public.excel.templates |
Spreadsheet Solutions templates and other Xlt files |
|
microsoft.public.excel.worksheet.functions |
Worksheet functions |
Searching newsgroups
The fastest way to find a quick answer to a question is to search past newsgroup postings. Often, searching past newsgroup postings is an excellent alternative to posting a question to the newsgroup because you can get the answer immediately. Unless your question is very obscure, there's an excellent chance that your question has already been asked and answered. The best source for searching newsgroup postings is Google Groups:
How does searching work? Suppose that you have a problem identifying unique values in a range of cells. You can perform a search using the following keywords: Excel, Range, and Unique. The Google search engine probably will find dozens of newsgroup postings that deal with these topics.
If the number of results is too large, refine your search by adding search terms. Sifting through the messages may take a while, but you have an excellent chance of finding an answer to your question. In fact, I estimate that at least 90 percent of the questions posted in the Excel newsgroups can be answered by searching Google.
If you're new to online newsgroups, here are some pointers:
1. Conduct a search first to make sure that your question has not already been answered.
2. Make the subject line descriptive.
Postings with a subject line like “Help me!” and “Another Question” are less likely to be answered than postings with a more specific subject, such as “Sizing a Chart's Plot Area.”
3. Specify the Excel version that you use.
In many cases, the answer to your question depends on your version of Excel.
4. For best results, ask only one question per message.
5. Make your question as specific as possible.
6. Keep your question brief and to the point but provide enough information so that someone can answer it adequately.
7. Indicate what you've done to try to answer your own question.
8. Post in the appropriate newsgroup and don't cross-post to other groups unless the question applies to multiple groups.
9. Don't type in all uppercase or all lowercase; check your grammar and spelling.
10. Don't include a file attachment.
11. Avoid posting in HTML format. Plain text is the preferred format.
12. If you request an e-mail reply in addition to a newsgroup reply, don't use an anti-spam e-mail address that requires the responder to modify your address.
Why cause extra work for someone doing you a favor?
Internet Web sites
The World Wide Web has dozens of excellent sites devoted to Excel. I list a few of my favorites here.
The Spreadsheet Page
This is my own Web site, which contains files to download, developer tips, instructions for accessing Excel Easter eggs, spreadsheet jokes, an extensive list of links to other Excel sites, and information about my books.
Daily Dose of Excel
This is a frequently updated Web log created by Dick Kusleika, with about a dozen contributors. It covers a variety of topics, and readers can leave comments.
Jon Peltier's Excel Page
Those who frequent the microsoft.public.excel.charting newsgroup are familiar with Jon Peltier. Jon has an uncanny ability to solve practically any chart-related problem. His Web site contains many Excel tips and an extensive collection of charting examples.
Pearson Software Consulting
This site, maintained by Chip Pearson, contains dozens of useful examples of VBA and clever formula techniques.
Contextures
This site is maintained by Deborah Dalgliesh and covers Excel and Access.
Pointy Haired Dilbert
This is an interesting Excel blog by Chandoo.
David McRitchie's Excel Pages
www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/excel.htm
David's site is jam-packed with useful Excel information and is updated frequently.
Mr. Excel
Mr. Excel, also known as Bill Jelen, maintains an extensive site devoted to Excel. The site also features a message board.