The equation solver guys/gals were probably using arrays. BTW I just wanted to share one thing with you. At one time I was heading a new division which had a lot of newbies who were not sufficiently excel savvy as far I was I was concerned.

These guys were number crunching using ways & means which was long winded when it need not have been. I did not have the time, energy or inclination to handhold & teach. I also wanted improved financial reporting. I did the next best thing. I asked them to buy this excellent book, read it & use it.

I really don't buy computer books because they either become obsolescent fast or are unnecessary simply because one can learn things even from savvy bloggers & savvy websites.

Since excel is great & of lifelong value (useful even in climbing the ladder or holding very senior positions) I'd like to share the name of this book which is timeless & also wow!

It is - "Favourite Excel Tips & Tricks" by John Walkenbach.  BTW John is so good & writes so simply that he is known as Mr.Spreadsheet®

This benefited me. Just wanted to share it with you.

Ramesh

I tried to click on quote and reply in order to quote Karen. It kept taking me to Sean's comment instead - the one about how only 3 guys in his physics class knew how to do equations in excel.

In any case I wish to understand

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Ramesh

"I think it is mostly a generational thing. I don't think I've met anybody under about 40 that doesn't get spreadsheets. Then again, geeks usually only hang out with fellow geeks".

True - it also is due to lack of computerization in certain parts of the world (not in my example btw). I ran into this wonderful quotation which kind of sums up the spirit of what I am trying to say - not just for spreadsheets but even for other things. It goes like this -

I had the blues because I had no shoes;

Till I met a man who had no feet!

Ramesh

Nuance PDF Reader (a competitor to Adobe and Foxit, etc.) has a new release out that has an option to upload a PDF to their website and they convert it for you and return it. CNET gives it good reviews although I haven't tried it myself.

Download page: http://download.cnet.com/Nuance-PDF-Reader/3000-18497_4-11281436.html?tag=mncol;txt

Review on Download blog: http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10455335-12.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody

sean said:

Karen, it was terribly sad in my physics class yesterday. We did a mass V volume experement, and we had to use excel to graph the changes, and fid the density. And apart from 3 people, no-one knew how to put equations in excel. I was appaled. But the, most of theme were jocks.........

I think saying they were jocks says it all. What were they doing in a physics class anyway? It can't be a graduation requirement them.

Ozzie said:

Locutus said:Haven't we all?

I think it is mostly a generational thing. I don't think I've met anybody under about 40 that doesn't get spreadsheets. Then again, geeks usually only hang out with fellow geeks.

Locutus said:Haven't we all?

LOL! Yep, big family that one! And apparently from the shallow end of the gene pool ...

Ramesh Kumar said: That owner did not stop with that idiocy but went a step further.He could relate only to a printout. He could not even relate to a matter if it was "only" on a computer screen!

How do I know this. I've seen it happen. All the subordinates (including the directors), junior to that proprietor, kept quiet simply because how do you ever tell an owner that he does not know something - including or should I say especially - excel spread sheets

That owner did not stop with that idiocy but went a step further.He could relate only to a printout. He could not even relate to a matter if it was "only" on a computer screen!

That day, among other things, I learnt that it is a "culture" & "level of comfort" & "style of working" thing. The world obviously is diverse even along these parameters apart from so many other parameters.

Ramesh

Ashraf said:Wait, what? Why would anyone need a specialized Excel to PDF converter? I am lost.

Actually, it's a good idea. I have to do a lot of spreadsheet work for budgets, data, etc. Being able to put them into PDF format afterwards is really, really handy. It's particularly handy for reporting purposes. Whack them into a PDF and send them off. If you work with a lot of different spreads and need to put them all together, you'll get how nifty it is.