I’ve been publishing my ExcelTips newsletter for quite a long time now, approaching 17 years. Every week, without fail, I’ve published tips on how to use almost every aspect of Excel.
During that time, I’ve also conducted various seminars on teaching people how to use Excel. I’ve also developed a good number of e-books and real books about how to use Excel.
One thing that I haven’t done, however, is to create any video-based training materials about Excel. I’ve had people ask about them, but I’ve always shied away from them because of, I guess, being a harsh critic of myself.
Well, I’m thinking of changing that situation and coming up with a new online course about how to create macros. The course would be geared toward beginners—those who haven’t ever created their own macros before. (I may do a more advanced macro course later, but it is generally best to start at the beginning.)
Like I said, I’m still toying with the idea; trying to get my head around what the course would (or should) contain. This is always the toughest part for me—figuring out what to include and what to leave out.
Do you think offering such a course would be a good idea? Do you have thoughts as to what such a course should cover? If so, I’d love to have a bit of feedback. Please, let me know below what you think.
I would love to learn more on macros. I do 4 sets of general ledgers each month and it would save me a huge amount of editing time if I could create a macro to give me a blank (not a template) with dates, etc to add the numbers to.
I think videos would be awesome. Like you I think it is best to start from the beginning. I realize you have a lot of advnaced users and it certainly would be great to offer videos teaching people VBA. But it is important to start with the basics and work from there. You don’t start at the top regardless of what you’re building and you shouldn’t start at the top in this case either.
I don’t use macros, but would be interested in a video course for beginners. I think it sounds like a great idea.
Simply start out with what is macros and what it will and can do.
Thank you.
I think a video or class would be very helpful. I an pretty experienced with Excel and could create macros before the change to only VBA. I am eager to learn, even though retired, I could use macros in my volunteer work. I need the basics. Bob Kaplan had great ideas as far as I’m concerned. I love your ExcelTips newsletter
I think your video training would be a great idea. Accessable, relevent and affordable.. those are the keys
I rather like it when a real world problem is solved in tutorial fashion. Maybe that could be an on-going series of VIDEOS to come from Allen Wyatt and company. It doesn’t even have to be about Macros. Just a thought.
If you do create a Macros series, I would start with the basics, and then make successful steps in between all the way up to advanced VBA. The possibilities are limitless. Godspeed Allen.
Allen,
Many years ago I was tasked with developing an Excel Training Regime for beginner/mid level fellow staff members (Excel 5+ days).
I came up with a set of hands on training sessions starting with basics and moving to more advanced topics over time. These lessons were attended by 2-3 hundred staff overall with a basic group of 8-10 persons. I covered approx 3 doz retail locations along the South Coast of NSW and the ACT (Australia).
This was the days before video and utube and I found that the most effective method was to use an onscreen display using a laptop to wall screen projector. The lessons were built around live mouse and keyboard activities involving both worksheet management and VBA. The most important factor was that I used input from the trainees themselves to project the lessons. (so every lesson was somewhat different).
This approach proved to be highly successful and I ended up presenting training programs right through to senior employees.
You cannot anticipate every problem the user invents and in trying to do so you end up with confusion and an ineffective lesson.
So to cut to the quick I would suggest a similar approach for you to trial, using a small focus group as the basis for your video for given subjects. Let them lead the discussion and just guide them in the right direction. Today’s video platforms are ideal for this purpose as you propose.
Perhaps you could add the video links to the topics in your newsletters as they become available over time?
Regards, Bob.
Thanks, Bob. I appreciate the story and the suggestions.
-Allen
Bob’s response and design, based on his experience feedback, is probably the best approach. Practical application with a varied group for overlapping levels of team progress. The overlap provides interchange of ideas and feedback, thus identifying essential topics and allowing depth of material. A 3 month try-out before video prep.
Personally, i would prefer a powerpoint package with text pane or panel to explain and screen shot to demonstrate.
I think video learning is great. I am in my late 60s and class myself as a “middle class” self taught user. A lot of learning has come from Allen’s notes which I signed up for some years ago. I can copy formulas from the internet but mostly this get my results but sometimes I have no idea why as I have jumped to the result. It would be nice to be talked through some things, explaining as it went.
Gus
I like the idea. I also agree with starting with the basics, but what exactly is meant by “the basics”. Everyone seems to have a different meaning for “the basics.”
I’m just starting to learn VBA. Understanding object based programming language is a little confusing for a non-programmer. Most beginner courses claim to start with the basics, but in my opinion, the experts have been using VBA code for so long, they fail to grasp how difficult it is for the non-programmer to connect the dots at the very basic level.
I realize programming is akin to learning a foreign language. It takes practice and recall. However, more explanation about what a line of code is, what it will do and why it will do it would be very helpful. If I am able to understand the concept, then, in my opinion practice and recall will enhance my ability to use the code and perhaps adapt it for better uses.
Yes Allen, a great idea as I have followed your online tips for years as they are written in a form that I can understand. I use macros a lot, but don’t always understand them as I have just copied something you had previously written.
It has been my experience that the younger generation prefers to “see” and “listen” to instructions rather than read and then perform a task. So, I say it would be a venture worth your time, not mention the value you would provide all of us who teach employees excel on the job.. that said, please do not change/abandon your tried and true forum. I have been following you almost as long as you have had your site 🙂 Mynda’s dashboard class was very good, perhaps consult her for a few tips. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge Allen. Good luck, Denise
Hi Allen,
Yes I think a video course would be great. I find it easier to see what to do rather than read how to do.
Thank you.
I think it sounds like a great idea.
I am retired but still involved in code development, mostly in Excel VBA. I have helped engineers, accountants and small business to solve relatively simple problems. A common factor in the VBA code they ask me to help get working is bad structure (actually very bad). One of the best things to include in any course you present is how to structure the code/macro well. The age old adage … do not use goto’s … is a good place to start, except when using commands that are unavoidable, such as turning error control off with ‘On Error Goto 0’ (why this could not be On Error false … or something similarly meaningful to the error checking status … oops … I must get off the soap box). Just let those who build macros know that their first attempts will undoubtedly need to be changed at some stage, so good structure, meaningful variable names and comments to help understanding when change is needed or when code gets complex.
I have learned a great deal in the short time I have been receiving Excel Tips and appreciate rubbing shoulders with others who are also ‘still learning’.
I love your Excel Tips and Word Tips and have bought some of your e-books. I’m happy with those. I don’t like video tutorials much. I find it easier and more efficient to follow written instructions and not have the repeated pause-rewind-play again routine that video requires. But whatever you do, best of luck to you.
I believe it would be very helpful
Not a bad idea at all. There will always be some new things to learn. Thanks
I’ve never really got to grips with VBA code, the problem is that the experts talk VBA (quite understandably) as if they are explaining an intricacy to an aware macro user.
For beginners, a tip that explains the solution to a problem by using a macro often starts at too advanced a level for macro non-savvy users, so we tend to skip it and stick with the formulas that we understand.
So yes please, count me in to: Macros for beginners
Videos will take you to the next level of modern day instruction (as Mynda has proven), and VBA is a topic that will always be popular. I would stick to practical topics that benefit users performing repetitive tasks such as retrieving data, massaging a monthly or YTD data set, creating pivot tables and charts from said data, etc. The automation of repetitive tasks is a nice benefit of knowing VBA, and watching a video over and over is one of the best ways to learn and understand it. Your effective communication skills will make the effort a great success.
This is about you and your business. It’s not about the topic or content. You have already proven your value and knowledge and dedication to teaching others about the amazing world of Excel. I understand that this is a departure from your comfort zone so here is my suggestion.
Produce a test lesson. Try it out on your friends, your associates and even some clients. Why? Because you need the feedback as to how you come across in a video. I have seen some good, bad and even disastrous attempts at teaching via video. From what I see of your work so far, you have the content down pat. Your dedicated without argument. I have no doubt that these factors alone will take your new venture a long way. Your first task is to decide if you’re the best person to present or produce (or even both). Well produced videos are a rarity on the Internet so it’s a big step to put yourself out there when you have had such a great success till now.
If you can produce the quality, your success is guaranteed. Don’t be put off if your first results are disappointing, Real friends will give you honest feedback so go for it and do your best. I look forward to seeing your final results.
Good luck!
Great idea Allen.
like others, would be great to start with the basics
thank you also for the weekly tips
Although I’m now retired from the accounting/finance profession, I used macros quite a bit during my work life. However, they were ones I recorded and were quite cumbersome to debug. I always regretted not taking a visual basic course. I bought one of your book on macros, so I would be interested in an online course about macros.
Yes!
Please!
Thank You!
I think videos on Macros is a great idea! I would think that, with the knowledge base you have, a set of ‘core’ instructional, along with shorter ‘tips, tricks & hints’, related to macos would be wonderful!