Excel 2003 VBA Programmer's Reference

by Stephen Bullen, Paul Kimmel, John Green, et al.

What is this book about? Excel 2003 VBA Programmer's Reference is an updated and expanded version of the two previous editions now with a reference section downloadable from the Web for easy perusal. The book is aimed at Excel users who want to gain more control over their spreadsheets using VBA or who want to develop Excel applications for other users. The book starts with a primer chapter focused on bringing the readers up to speed with Excel and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764556606
• ISBN13: 9780764556609
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Wrox Press
• Length: 1176 Pages
• Weight: 3.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.2" x 7.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Excel 2003 VBA

Could use a bit more on the controls and selecting cells but other than that covers most things I needed to know.

Everything is Here, Organization a bit confusing.

This huge (1176 page) book is intended for Excel users and programmers from beginning to advanced, this book presumes you have a reasonable working knowledge of excel and a full installation of the software. It does not presume that you have a working knowledge of VBA, after all, that's it's subject. In fact, chapter 1 is titled Primer in Excel VBA. Excel VBA is, of course, a specialized version of Microsoft's standard VBA, where those specific points that cater to spread sheet manipulation are differrent from the VBA's associated with other parts of the Microsoft Office package. This book gives a general introduction to VBA, but it is entirely within the context of Excel. This is indeed a Primer. It starts with how you open the Visual Basic Editor and goes on from there. Generally the book grows step by step. But not always. ==On page 83 it says: "OnTime - You can use the OnTime method to schedule a macro to run sometime in the future." OK, I understand this. But only 7 pages later it says: "VBA does support interface polymorphism. Interface polymorphism is orthogonal to class polymorphism." Huh? Does this help me schedule something to run in the future? Is this supposed to mean anything at all to me? Since I have no idea what it's talking about am I supposed to go look up all these new words somewhere? Is this really going to help me? Anyway, you skip a few chapters and you're back into getting some useful information about things like creating user forms. All in all I rate the book quite high. Everything you always wanted to know is there. And it is supposed to be a reference manual, not a tutorial. My only complaint is that I think it could have organized a bit better.

From the author

With many products one never knows who the engineer is. However, with a book one immediately knows the name of the author or authors. More importantly, as an author and student I know how difficult learning can be even with the best prose, analogies, intent, or circumstances. For this reason I clearly indicate my email address (pkimmel@softconcepts.com) in every book I write, and if you still don't "get it" I am happy to actively assist. Even if a difficulty isn't precisely within the framework of this book, I will still assist to the extent possible. Many great authors contributed to Excel VBA 2003 either with content from its predecessor or new content, but several authors elected not to contribute new content to this revised edition. What is important is the support and resources that are available to every one of our readers. Thank you for buying and thank you for reading. Paul.

an advanced reference manual

Please keep in mind that this book is a reference. So don't be deterred by its bulk. Presumably, you have already programmed in Excel, as opposed to just being a user of it. But the first half of the book can be used as a refresher text. It exhaustively covers the span of Excel programming. As might be expected from a reference, the level of discussion can get somewhat involved. For example, consider the chapter on object oriented theory, as applied to VBA. It starts by explaining the differences between a class and an interface, and how both support polymorphism. And how "interface polymorphism is orthogonal to class polymorphism". Whew! The authors don't waste any time. You really need some prior exposure to object oriented ideas to fully appreciate the chapter. If you are an experienced Excel developer, the book may be an ideal reference. Otherwise, you may also need other explanatory texts to accompany this book.

A must book for VBA programming

As a practicing progammer, VBA is one of those languages I knew I had to learn sooner or later. This book was a godsend, it covers everything you will ever want to know about VBA and Excel progamming. The book begin with a primer in Excel and VBA, with every chapter the level of learning increases. There are worked examples, codes and screenshots that facilitate understanding of the theory. The writing style is simple and clear, nonprogrammers will be able to understand every concept. It's a big book(over 1000 pages)but one that I enjoyed reading.