Excel systems and consultancy
We don't just train in Excel - we write systems too! Here are a couple of systems which we've built recently in Excel:
- An engine management system for Shell Research and Development
- An invoicing system for GKN
Knowing Excel and Visual Basic inside-out (as we do), we're able to develop Excel models quickly and efficiently, makiing the right choice each time as to which technical solution to adopt.
For those wondering whether to embark on an Excel system, here is some good advice, born out of years of experience:
- Consider first - should you be using Excel or Access?
- Fight any request to make your Excel system foolproof. It takes ten times longer to create a foolproof Excel system than it does a fault-tolerant one. Excel just doesn't lend itself to bullet-proof applications, and getting menus and toolbars to work correctly and under all possibile circumstances is particularly time-consuming.
- Don't apply protection to worksheets (you're bound to run into a situation where you need to unprotect a worksheet to do something).
- Avoid macros where possible (it's amazing how much you can do with data validation, number formatting and good spreadsheet design). If you don't already know these, consider attending our two-day Excel Advanced training course.
- Avoid user forms where at all possible (it's much quicker to use a worksheet for data input).
Best of all, send an outline of what you're trying to do to us and we'll give you some feedback!