Microsoft Excel VBA Programming for the Absolute Beginner

Good product

I give this book 5 stars because it dives into basic VBA programming exercises from the start. The problems are simple, interactive, and provide the user with useful syntax to build on. The problems aren't necessarily laid out "step-by-step", but there's enough commentary to help the user gain a broad understanding of the various exercises. I chose this book over others like it because of its concise and interactive nature.Compared to other programming languages, VBA is fairly intuitive, but it does require some basic programming knowledge. Thus, the target audience "absolute beginner" that is specified in the title could be slightly misleading if one expects to be spoon-fed instructions on learning VBA. Serious users should consider supplementing this book with a more detailed VBA reference manual

A couple of quotes might set the scene for you here;Everybody who is incapable of learning has taken to teaching. - Oscar Wilde, The Decay of LyingAn old sentiment I know, but in order to properly teach one has to get into the mind of the student who is looking with awe (and hopefully enthusiasm at the mountain that they have chosen (or been told to - don't yer luv yer boss eh?) climb. The art is to go from the known to the unknown and from the simple to the complex with as little uncertainty along the way; and help with that as well when it arises.This book fails significantly by this one criterion alone and does not start low enough for a complete beginner.In chapter one it talks about a procedure but then doesn't explain it until chapter two; but, and this is a huge but for a beginner, there is NO mention of that fact in chapter one.I personally don't have time to waste second-guessing an author and I think the main issue with this material is that the author has fallen into the fatal assumption that the reader knows more than they do.I am a very experienced Excel user but a complete novice with VBA. I have written some macros over the years but only for my own use and only to do very simple actions and with no documentation. Once I had realized the significance of absolute versus relative cell referencing they would also work 99% of the time - raa raa!Back to the book; once I found the missing reference for chapter one in chapter two (after doubting myself and wondering if there was a page missing!) I decided to investigate other material (lots of it!) and if it helps you (that is the purpose of this review isn't it - not to massage the author's ego?) this is what I found.Material by John Walkenbach is very thorough (amusing) and well written but it is just that; "written". There is a large amount of material to learn in VBA and it can be frustrating to think that you are studying, absorbing (hopefully!) and retaining material but not yet able to do anything with it.I personally learn best by watching and doing rather than reading and as a result found the video material presented by Bill Jelen in the Live Lessons series suited my needs beyond my expectations. The material is split into small logical steps with excellent on screen video material and Jelen has a good speaking voice and engaging style and he seems to understand the frustrations that one may have been through in previous tinkerings with VBA.However, the main point is that one can very quickly "do" something with VBA even from the first lesson and so a sense of achievement and confidence builds quickly and reinforces enthusiasm. "I can see that (literally!) and I can DO that" soon become the hallmarks of the process.If you are like me (i.e. not ambidextrous and with an IQ under 50) then the words of that bloke from the Chinese Takeaway (a number 9 with sweet and sour if you're going for me please) will resonate well with you.What I hear, I forget.What I see, I remember.What I do, I understand. '- Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius)Walkenbach is good, but slow and heavy going, Jelen is good but more fun and much, much faster. Also, I have transferred each small video lesson onto my iPad so can reinforce my knowledge when time presents, which it does a lot in my job as I hang around a lot in remote places with no internet (no I am not wanted by the FBI or the IRS so there will be no reward for turning me in!).I am not related to Jelen or Walkenbach, I am not even American, and I have not been paid to promote their names or products. I am like you, looking to find the most effective way to learn what, at the moment, seems to be an incredibly complicated subject.I don't normally write reviews but having done so much research and having bought so much material (I have so many books that I was hoping to just "own" them and learn surreptitiously by osmosis - naaw, it don't work!) and almost reaching the point of analysis paralysis that I found the Jelen video series a godsend and so I decided to wave my electronic quill in the ether to perhaps save my fellow man and woman some time and frustration. Good luck. GG. BB 5/19/2011

I LIKE!

I thought that Microsoft Excel VBA Programming is well-written in an easy-to-use fashion, although, by the same token, it would have been better had sample programs discussed in the book did not rely on the CD as much. For the price-tag, it was definitely a good buy and I am encouraged to studying more about VBA through this book.

I am happy with this book

He knows more than I do, but I'm not trying to make money on my knowledge of VBA. He tells you what happens not why it happens and this can lead to serious problems with your code as a solution becomes more and more sophisticated.

It helps me a lot, and I can follow the instructions in a very simple way. But, the book is for beginners.

The website doesn't load up. All the web-downloads featuring additional resources and the code featured in the book is therefore inaccessible. If the SELLER can't help with this, i'll have to return since there's no point in just reading the textbook without being able to follow along

I am not sure about this book it's not for the beginner may be I made a mistake by buying this book

It was in excellent conditions.

got me heading in the right direction quickly. Well written and I have enjoyed using it. Not much more to be said...

QUALITY PRODUCT