10 thoughts on “Books”

1. Recommended books

   Pivot Table Data Crunching, Excel 2010, Mr Excel series, Bill Jensen and Michael Alexander – first class reference; easy to understand and follow; one of the most useful books I have bought in some time; QUE

   Excel 2010 In depth, Bill Jensen, a more advanced reference book with a different approach to many; very stong on functions; QUE

   I also use Excel Pivot Tables and Charts, Peter Aitken, Excel Dashboards and Reports, Alexander and Walkenbach and Favourite Excel 2007 Tips and Tricks, Walkenbach but I have not updated them to the 2010 versions. The usual problem is, are they sufficiently different from the previous verson?

2. I’ve read Professional Excel Development cover to cover and have to say it is possible the best book on programming I have ever come across. What sets it apart is the fact it is both technically informative and yet easily readable, packed full of examples and explanations which explain why as well as how an approach works or is best practice. I thought I knew VBA, but it has taken me to a different level. Every VBA programmer should have a copy.

3. Guys,

   I am in search of a code that will ask for a username and password before opening the workbook. It should contain multiple usernames and passwords. For each username and password different sheets should be shown after the successful login. The other sheets in the workbook should remain hidden and protected.

   Hope you guys can help! Thanks for any help!

4. Raj – note that protection in Excel is very easy to crack. So if this is going to contain say salary information, then don’t do it. Locks only keep honest people out, as the saying goes.

   That said, you can find some code at this thread:
   http://www.excelguru.ca/forums/showthread.php?1626-Show-hidden-sheet-and-columns-based-on-user&highlight=password

   But again, note that whatever approach you use, someone who knows what they are doing will be able to break your security in 2 minutes flat.

5. Professional Excel Development – at least one of the reviewers said it is based on 2003 (pub. 2005). Is it relevant for 2010 or 2013 users? Or is there a better book? I also note a couple editions, the 2nd pub in 2009 and says it covers .NET. Is it as solid as the first edition which is mentioned in your list here?

6. You should get the 2nd edition (and I should update my list). I don’t know what version of Excel it covers, but it doesn’t matter for two reasons: The principles of the book transcend versions; VBA and the VBE haven’t changed much, only the Excel object model. I believe they brought in Dennis Wallentin for the .NET chapters in the second edition, so you know they’ll be good.

7. Just wondering – how do I maximize the dollars that go to the author of the books I buy? Amazon Prime? Joe’s Bookshop via Amazon?

8. If it’s an independent author, then their website is going to be the best place. If it’s a normal publisher, like Wiley, it doesn’t really matter. I’m sure there are a wide variety of contracts, so I can only speak to the ones I’ve signed. There’s a base rate that will cover most sales (domestic, physical media) and then there are a bunch of other rates for other countries, digital media, and a few other edge cases. But none of those rates are so different that it will move the needle.

9. If the author is an Amazon affiliate, and you buy through a link on their site, they’ll probably make more from the Amazon commission than they get on that book sale’s royalty.

10. Thanks for the feedback. Enjoying my Amazon-purchased Power Programming tome now!

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