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.
Great Idea… but keep in mind to start from the very basic and gradually moving to advanced level… this will be a great help…
I think it could be a good idea as I am looking for a course in Macros at the moment.
I bought your last book on macros but found it a bit dense for me ( it’s probably me that is dense)
Sometimes I find when I have a problem it helps to see a u tube demonstration .
I think it is a very good idea. It is often easier to learn something new by seeing the process rather than just reading about it.
That was my thought, too, Annie — some people learn better by seeing rather than reading.
Thanks for taking the time to provide some feedback.
-Allen
It is a very good idea.
I am not an expert in Excel, eventhough I use it very much. I use macros also a lot. During my interaction with several people in various fields, I have realised how under exploited Excel is. Most people aren’t aware of macros or consider that macros aren’t meant for them (They think that macros are only for those in the IT industry).
I would therefore support your idea of spreading the awareness of Excel and its macros.
That’s a great idea!
In spite using Excel since 2004 a beginners website would be great.
Allen,
I would be interested in video based instruction for Excel. I think I learn better and faster watching, instead of exclusively reading instructions
This is a great idea.
I find trying to explain Objects, Methods and Properties gets a bit confusing. So I have had some success by explaining it by comparing it to Nouns, Verbs and Adjectives in english.
ActiveCell.Offset(1,1).Value may be a bit intimidating when you first see it but “The boy runs fast” has the same structure and is very simple to grasp. This get people thinking of VBA asa language that can be easily structured and understood.
Also I think that help screen info is really confusing. You can only understand them when you already know what is going on. So really down to earth simple explanations are vital.
Ohhh! Good idea, Adam. I like the comparison to English structure.
-Allen
Video’s are good as a reinforcement to what you think you understand from the written directions. Its a visualization of what should be going on in your head already. For me it would not be productive to watch anything to complicated as a sole teaching aid because of the constant review to really get the information in my head and memorized.
Good points, Kurt. I’m actually thinking of creating short (3 to 12 minute) video “snippets” that make up the overall course. That way people could absorb the material in smaller chunks and go back and easily review items as needed. (That would allow the “constant review” you mention.)
-Allen
Allen,
I think that this is an Excellent idea (if you’ll excuse the pun). Although you will as I am sure you know up against quite a few other people/organisations who do this already.
I think if you followed the format of your book you wouldn’t go to far wrong.
I’ll take that as a compliment for my book, Barry. Thanks!
-Allen
I think that such a course could be a really good idea, especially for people who cannot easily attend your seminars – I live in the UK, for example. You have done such an excellent job over the years with Excel and Word Tips that I feel that a video course on macros from you, Allan, could be a real enhancement to your Microsoft Excel VBA Guidebook. From my point of view, I think that it’s a good idea if it were to be geared towards beginners. I am not a macro’s expert by a long way and don’t necessarily need to become one, but I create and use macros a lot. I find VBA difficult and bought your Guidebook to help me. Sadly, it didn’t so I continue to create them using the Tool/Macros/Record New Macro starting point and then go on to use ‘Step Into’ and use the trial and error approach. to edit them to my needs.
So, a beginners’ video on macros could be real help to me.
Good feedback, Ashley. You hit on one of the benefits that I thought of, which is proximity. I can’t be everywhere, but a video theoretically could be.
-Allen
I think it is definitely worth trying a couple of beginner videos and seeing how they are received. People learn best in various different ways – personally, I like to see a demonstration of something new first, and then have the details available as a refresher when I give it a try. I would certainly check it out, but the cost would be a factor.
As long as it doesn’t cost you a mint, give it a try! You might be the next Julieanne Cost!
Thanks for the feedback, Anna. I have no idea who Julieanne Cost is, so I’ll have to do some research!
You mention cost as a factor, and that is certainly the case. What do you consider “a mint?”
-Allen
Hi,
I fully support the idea of on-line video’s on VBA for excel. Though not an expert, I’m currently and regularly writing macro’s; however, I still miss some fundamentals, among which working with created/user defined objects or collections, as well as implementing/transferring the macros in “customer” systems.
Of course, I’ll wait as well on videos for advanced users.
Reinhold Bongartz
Yes Sir…
I am not too specific…
But, I wish you design a new course and let us know…
Yes I do think its a great idea myself about Macros but more so one of my daughters wants to learn EXCEL a video and possibly downloading work files to go along with the tutorial would be great as well thank you for allowing my input
Mr J Forsyth
I think an online course would be great, especially for macros. It is uninteresting/slow to learn some of the functions in Excel by following step by step, written instruction. I think you will be able to fit in more instruction via some form of e-learning.
That’s an interesting take, Claude. I hadn’t quite thought of it that way, so your comment is helpful.
-Allen
I think that’s a wonderful idea, Allen. And I’ve almost always had no trouble understanding how you present your tips so I wouldn’t worry about that.
I have absolutely no idea about macros or how to even begin to understand them, so a course starting at the beginner level would be perfect! I look forward to it.
I think it would be a great idea. Please do, we macro novices need help!
Hello Allen,
i’VE followed your excel tips for many years, don’t think I can claim all 17, though!
I started with Visicalc, (16 columns, 64 rows max), moved on to Supercalc and then to Excel (very unwillingly at the time). The beauty of Supercalc was that macros consisted of exactly the key strokes one would use if working on the sheet directly. I used to run a huge consolidation of financial data into a sheet that filled the office wall completely if printed out in total. In Excel I have only dabbled briefly in very simple macros, largely because I have not needed to do more. Rarely do I need more than multiple VLU exercises and conditional formatting (using open office to accommodate 300,000+ rows of the US Civil Aircraft Register which won’t fit into Excel97).
Producing video based training is an excellent idea – I have used such material to assist me in various technical scenarios in setting up software, changing a CMOS battery in a small laptop, tasks on my car etc. The issue as I see it for you is that you are looking to earn a living – or at least earn the luxuries on top of a living! All of the things I have used are freely available for the sake of a little searching, and are from people sharing their skills for the benefit of others generally. Whilst still working I produced simple on-line training materials for my employers financial systems so I have some basis and knowledge of what is involved.
Clearly you know the level of following you have for your tips and books; it may be that you need to test the water on training videos, invest time in producing the macro training as a proof-of-concept and if it proves financially worthwhile then survey users on what other topics might be of interest.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck with the venture!
Pete
Thanks, Pete. I, too, remember the days of Visicalc. (Used it on my Apple ][e.)
There are a lot of “freebie” videos out there, and many of them are hit-and-miss on quality. I’m hoping that my track record, my approach, and my insistence on quality would help set me apart from the run-of-the-mill free stuff.
Good feedback. Thanks!
-Allen
Would you be competing with the online video classes such as on Lynda.com?
I don’t know if they offer Excel classes, but you might check.
Otherwise, I think it is a great idea,.
I’m not sure I would see myself as competing with them, but I will definitely check them out.
-Allen
Hi Allen
Firstly I’ve always enjoyed your Excel tips. For me the biggest thing I struggle with is formulae, and how to create them to do what I want.
I don’t use much in the way of macros, so that’s not so important to me,
but would certainly be interested in a video course as you’ve suggested to learn more about them. Every bit of extra know how can only be good for us all
Thanks
Mike
Thank, Mike. Your words are very encouraging!
-Allen
My own personal preference, especially with macros, is a book with some examples that would require me to step through things myself, rather than show them on a video. The video training can work well with specific task-oriented instructions, but macro writing is a different skill set. It is not so much task oriented (click here, click there, etc), but coding. As to what things would be required for a beginner level, I think the biggest is the object model itself and how to program with it (the macro recorder is a great tool for learning about this and how to use it would a great tip early in any course). Variables, constants, and then the use of loopings and conditional branches, followed by events and triggers and loops would also be important.
All good points, Steve.
The Object Model is the biggest hurdle to most folks. If you have any specific ideas on how to successfully teach that, I’m all ears. (Please share, either here or via e-mail.)
-Allen
Great idea. There is a real need.
I can create basic Macros using the Recorder but have no idea how to edit/debug. I feel like I’m only using a small percentage of the capabilities because almost all of the other Macro related training take you right to VBA and that just makes my brain shut down – kind of like going shoe shopping with my wife.
The book that I’ve found most helpful is “Excel 2007 Macros – Made Easy” by Gail Perry.
Really enjoy getting your daily tips in my email, good luck with this new offering.
Thanks – Greg Hill
LOL — I’ll definitely keep the “shoe shopping with the wife” metaphor in mind!
-Allen
A video for beginners on how to create macros is a good idea. But only for beginners. For some, macros are daunting and the use of a video to show where things are would help relieve confusion or frustration.
For average or advanced users, I would opine that a video would not be popular. As an average user, I would shy away from a video unless it was very short, such as under 2 minutes. And even then, I would prefer to see a written explanation that I could quickly read and re-read.
PS: I look forward to reading your emails every Saturday. And I enjoy the brief personal items that you add.
Good ideas, Peter. I’m definitely leaning toward short snippets (2 to 12 minutes) to help people focus on what needs to be learned and done.
-Allen
As someone who has limited experience with macros I think it would be very helpful!
I have followed your Excel & Word tips for years & learned so much! I even bought your Pivot tables CD but ashamed to say that I never found or took the time to view it (I still have it, by the way!) I might be interested in an online course as long as I don’t have to commit to a specific time for class. Download the course & view when I can. For me, to keep me honest, it would be helpful to require something at the end of each section before I can proceed to the next – a quiz/evaluation, something! I am a procrastinator 1st class! I consider myself a kindergartner in Excel. I use it at work, but only what I have been shown & do over & over. Macros require knowledge & I am a very timid user – afraid I will mess something up or lose it completely. I can’t tell you how many of your tips I have printed off & taken to work to use & use at home, but never macros! The tips are always very clear & easy to follow. I suspect your online would be the same!
Thanks…Caryn
These are very good points and ideas, Caryn. I never thought of a small quiz or self evaluation; that’s gold!
Thanks!
-Allen