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.
Good idea. I sugest short videos, every one covering a tip. And a strong index to find easily the needed topic.
I like the idea as I have always wanted to learn more about this mysterious feature of Excel…a novice macro user!
Good idea. Consider Snagit and their other products (TechSmith is the Co) . I’d like to see a online payment system whereby I could pay $0.75 to $2.00 for hints that match my search for help….
I’d pay $5.00 for a good video training module.
A macro training course would be great! I think it needs to cover some of the basics (e.g. understanding the macro ‘language’, various ways to save macros, auto-run when workbook is opened, etc.) Most of the macros I use are either from the Recorder or copied from some other source (forums, etc.). The ability to create a macro from scratch has always eluded me because I don’t fully understand the syntax.
I could not agree more. The macro teaching I run into is usually .”Click on the Record Macro button, perform a task, click the Stop Recording button. Ok, our next subject will be …”.
Good idea, make sure to have a good, self-explanatory index. Make each video economically accessible.
Good luck in this endeavor.
I learn more from a short video than from reading a whole book. Keep it short and concise. Thank you for all your time and effort.
I think it would be a good idea since many people now just search for videos to answer their questions rather than looking it up in a book. The videos available run the gammunt from awful to great. I would study some of them and note what works and what does not. I think the short videos are okay, but I think of those as one-time problem solvers as opposed to giving someone actual working knowlege. The best I have seen is a longer course where the section content was bookmarked on the video – so people who just wanted to see one particular section could do so. People who wanted a full course, could also do so. My pet peeves for video courses are when the video has a bad pace (too fast or slow) or when the steps shown do not coinside with what happens when I try to follow on my machine. I like it when they dicuss possible errors you might get and how to fix them.
This is something that would interest me.
Personally I think the email format is more easily accessible for international subscribers. Low bandwidth is still an issue in remote areas, also costly.
Language can be a second barrier, especially if English is not the primary. So translation slows down the understanding of complex points.
I find the main barrier to learning for newbies is the lack of plain, simple examples. Maybe more of these could be of better use of time as opposed to video production.
I think this would be great ! As one of the previous posts states, my macros have come from the Recorder or have been copied from other places and tweaked/modified for my uses. I haven’t ever written a macro from scratch. I have learned a few things from modifying existing macros. I would be very interested in short tips. I am a programmer, so I get the basics, but I could always use some helpful tips.
I would absolutely be interested in a video-based macro training session/series. So many Excel instructional series do not include anything macro, or they jump right in to intermediate or advanced levels of discussion and do not consider the neophyte or the one who has less opportunity to utilize and sharpen macro skills. Put me on the watch list!
Love the idea, Allen, and believe it would be a success. There is a great need for this. I teach Excel (and other Office applications) at a couple of local colleges, Continuing Ed, and can tell you there are people who have been using Excel for years but do not know the basics, shortcuts and tips and tricks, so it is not just the newbie that has the need.
Has my vote, and thanks for all the great content that you have provided over the years!
Gayle
Good Idea. I often use macro’s and like how they make repetitive tasks easy to do. However, I often find that I have to go back and tweak them. Such a course would be a big help.
Great idea! Your Exceltips are very clearly understood and extremely helpful. Adding video would be a bonus!
Good idea,try to cover from basics of macro which will encourage for many freshers.
All the best.
Short videos would be so helpful. Keep it short and concise.
I’d love some online training for macros! My suggestion is a longer video for people like me who have never used them, followed by shorter videos with specific tips.
Great idea! Videos about creating macros would be great. I actually dont know anything about writing macros but would appreciate it. Thank you.
I like the idea of a macro training course.
Some videos are already shown on YouTube.
Maybe you can refer it to YouTube?
Also I would like to see a VBA training later.
Good Luck with your project.
Go Excel Go!
Great idea Allen.
Generally, macros are not well understood and hence underutilized despite being a very powerful tool and time saver. With limited experience one can be very motivated by the possibilities so I look forward your output
Tim
Go for it.
Make it simple, not flashy. For heaven’s sale, make it HD. There’s a guy in San Francisco who does great ones. Google “Easy Excel with Igor” to see how to do it well. Look at pretty much anything else to see how not to do it.
While having programmed in the past, I have never used macros. Perhaps it’s time for me to take it on. So, yes, I think it a great idea.
Myself and colleagues woul d be interested.
Many know of, but don’t make full use of, macros – largely due to a reluctance where lack of knowledge and application from what I have found.
Would get more invovled and create a community who could help each other through your platform.
Well worth the effort it would take and agree with other suggestions made already – shortish videos as part of a package that allows you to take macro learning from introduction to basics to application to improvements to advance use eventually.
It’s great Idea .personally. When I was learning VBA. I downloade Many videos And read Books.But I found videos more effective And helpful
Great idea, bunch of thanks.
just think to make it simpler and smarter..
An online videobased training to assist with using macros will be appreciated