Books to learn Excel and VBA - 2003 or 7

[taigovinda]

Hi,

I know there are other threads out on this, and I've looked at a few of them... Forgive me for starting my own.

My impression, based on my particular level of novice - with which some of you may be somewhat familiar - is that I should like to buy one of these two books:

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o>1. John Walkenbach's Excel 200X Power Programming With VBA<o></o>
<o></o>
2. "VBA and Macros for Microsoft Office Excel 200X" by Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad. (or other MrExcel book)

I have a few questions...

a. I mostly use Excel 2003 though I have access to 2007. Should I get the 2007 version? I'm guessing that from where I am it won't make a ton of difference; I won't be missing critical info from the 2003 version.

b. Are these two books similiar? Should I start with one, then do the other? Or just pick one of the two and then move on to something more advanced?

c. I read somewhere that it is a good idea to supplement one of these two books with "the Roman book" as a reference. What book is that, and should I have it? Would it be more a reference, or a next step after #1 or #2?

Also, because I love to read, I think I will check out this one:

Professional Excel Development: The Definitive Guide to Developing Applications Using Microsoft Excel, VBA, and .NET: The Definitive Guide to ... and VBA, by Bovey, Wallentin, Bullen, Green

Thanks to anyone who offers any input.
Tai</o>

 

[taigovinda]

Anyone with any input on above? Particularly on c.) ?

Thanks,
Tai

 

[wigi]

I only read (cover to cover) the 2002 version of Walkenbach's book.

Stick with 2003 to get the basis, changes are not too big.

IMHO, testing, exercising, trying on the PC should complement a book like Walkenbach's, rather than reading yet another book.

Wigi

 

[James_B]

I imagine "The Roman book" is this one, though I haven't heard great things about it. Personally, I'd recommend this. I know it's 02. But I haven't found anything in it that doesn't apply to 03, and from what I've heard, the 03 version was a bit of a botch job update by a third party and wasn't that great.

 

[hiker95]

taigovinda,

Do not let this scare you - try:

Training / Books / Sites

How to Learn to Write Macros
http://articles.excelyogi.com/playin...ba/2008/10/27/

How to use the macro recorder
http://articles.excelyogi.com/

Click here and scroll down to Getting Started with VBA.
http://www.datapigtechnologies.com/ExcelMain.htm

If you are serious about learning VBA try
http://www.add-ins.com/vbhelp.htm

Excel Tutorials and Tips - VBA - macros - training
http://www.mrexcel.com/articles.shtml

See David McRitchie's site if you just started with VBA
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm

Debra Dalgleish has some notes how to implement macros here:
http://www.contextures.com/xlvba01.html

David McRitchie has an intro to macros:
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm

Ron de Bruin's intro to macros:
http://www.rondebruin.nl/code.htm

http://www.excel-vba.com/
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm
http://www.exceltip.com/excel_links.html

(livelessons video)
Excel VBA and Macros with MrExcel
ISBN: 0-7897-3938-0
http://www.amazon.com/Excel-Macros-M...7936479&sr=1-1

Excel 2003 Power Programming with VBA, by John Walkenbach
VBA and Macros for Microsoft Excel, by Bill Jelen "Mr.Excel" and Tracy Syrstad
Excel Hacks 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools, by David & Traina Hawley
VBA and Macros for Microsoft Excel 2007, by Bill Jelen "Mr.Excel" and Tracy Syrstad

Excel 2007 Book: you can try this...there is a try before you buy ebook available at this link…
http://www.mrexcel.com/learnexcel2.shtml

 

[taigovinda]

Thanks for all the input, everybody. I think I'll buy a couple of these books; also thanks hiker95 for all of the online resources.

Tai