Learn Excel from Mr. Excel: 277 Excel Mysteries Solved

This is one of those books that don't really contain anything new. What they do instead is present things in a way that as you read it you tend to say 'Of course, that's the way I can do that.' For instance, suppose you want to sort a spreadsheet on only the first three digits of an account number. You turn to page 147. It says, 'Create a new column. Use the LEFT function to populate that column. Sort on the new column.' It actually show you more instruction on how to do this, but that's the idea. 'Of course, you say, how obvious.' Then why didn't you think of it first? To make it easier to find what you're looking for, the book is broken into four sections: The Excel Environment, Calculating with Excel, Wrangling Data, Making Things Look Good. Each section then has a bunch of these 'hints & tips' I guess I'd call them. Alternatively there's a fairly complete index that is organizated alphabetically rather than functionally. I rank this an an excellent intermediate level book. If you don't know what a spreadsheet does, you need a lower level book. If you want to learn about Macros and VBA, you want a higher level. But regardless of your level, you'll find at least a few 'Of course's.'

This really is a book for those who work in the 'trenches'. Keep it beside you at all times no matter what your proficiency with Excel is - expert or novice. It is clear and simple in its explanation and does not suffer verbosity.

The content is very good delivered in a very simple, step by step manner. Even my mom could follow what the author is trying to say and where it is more applicable. Money worth spent!!

The "it" I refer to is the "holy crap, I didn't know Excel could do that!" factor. I'm a fairly advanced Excel user, but am constantly amazed by the number of great tips and tricks that Bill's passed along in this book. Simply Amazing. Whether you're experienced or a complete newb, I'm sure you'll find this book to be a goldmine of information.

I am a PC tech/technical management type who wanted to track metrics for my staff. Because I created a spreadsheet for that purpose, I somehow became the "expert" for my entire department. I created a balanced scorecard spreadsheet template used by most of our IT departments. In the course of learning how to really use Excel, I purchased about fifteen different books on Excel. Some are excellent (particularly those by Mr. Walkenbach); but in the course of my research I encountered Mr. Excel, and his tools and hints have become the ones most useful to me on a daily basis. Sitting beside those Excel books is a binder with printouts of the weekly downloads from the book. I've greatly enjoyed reading the chapters I downloaded each week, and I knew early on I would purchase the book as soon as it was available. I did so as soon as I heard it had been printed. Mr. Jelen, you have made it possible for me, a non-programmer, to actually use Excel for improved management and reporting. My sincere thanks.