Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 2

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/excel-vba-for-creative-problem-solving-part-2

Introduction

### Course Review: Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 2 **Course Overview** "Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 2" is a continuation of the foundational skills introduced in Part 1, specifically designed for individuals looking to deepen their understanding of Excel and harness the incredible capabilities that Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) offers. This course not only augments your Excel skills but also equips you with powerful programming solutions that can significantly optimize your data handling and analysis tasks. **Learning Objectives and Syllabus Breakdown** This second installment is strategically structured over four weeks, each dealing with crucial aspects of Excel and VBA that enhance your productivity: - **Week 1: Arrays and Array Functions** The course kicks off with an in-depth exploration of arrays and array functions. You’ll learn how to efficiently iterate through data using nested loops and the For Each...Next statement. The ability to import and export data between Excel and VBA is covered, along with user-defined array functions and resizable arrays using the ReDim Preserve statement. The week concludes with a quiz to reinforce your learning before moving on to the first assignment. - **Week 2: Working with Strings and .txt Files** In the second week, the focus shifts to string manipulations and handling text files. You’ll dive into string functions available in both Excel and VBA, practicing the creation of functions that leverage these string manipulations. One key task will involve extracting various formats from mixed strings—including email addresses. The skills acquired will allow you to seamlessly write data to .txt files and import text files into Excel. This week also features a quiz and an assignment to ensure you can apply your newfound skills. - **Week 3: Iterating Through Worksheets and Workbooks** Week three emphasizes automation by teaching how to iterate through multiple worksheets and workbooks efficiently. You’ll learn techniques to consolidate data from numerous sources smoothly, a skill coveted in the realm of data analysis. The automation principles taught here are invaluable, facilitating streamlined data processes that save time and reduce errors. After this intensive week, you'll take a quiz followed by a challenging assignment to test your understanding. - **Week 4: User Forms and Advanced User Input/Output** The final week introduces sophisticated user interaction techniques through advanced input and message boxes, alongside event handling. You will learn to create professional user forms that not only collect input efficiently but also validate the data to prevent errors. This week culminates in a practical application where you will implement a solving technique—the bisection method—to address a real-world problem using the skills acquired throughout the course. You'll conclude with a quiz and a final assignment that showcases your mastery of the subject. **What Makes This Course Stand Out?** This course stands out in several ways: 1. **Hands-on Learning**: Each week is balanced with theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that learners can apply what they have learned immediately. 2. **Advanced Topics**: Part 2 dives into advanced topics that are often glossed over in other courses, making it ideal for those who wish to truly master Excel and VBA. 3. **Real-World Applications**: The focus on solving real-world problems means that the skills you acquire can be applied directly to your professional tasks, enhancing your efficiency and productivity. 4. **Community and Support**: With a vibrant online community and access to experienced instructors, learners can ask questions and get support as they navigate complex topics. **Recommendation** I highly recommend "Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 2" to anyone who has completed the first part of this series and is looking to further develop their Excel and VBA skills. The structured approach, combined with practical assignments, provides an excellent learning environment. Whether you are a business professional, analyst, or simply looking to enhance your personal skills, this course will empower you to leverage Excel and VBA in ways that can transform your approach to data management and problem-solving. Prepare to embark on a journey that will not only enhance your technical skills but also broaden your perspective on how to creatively tackle complex problems using one of the most powerful tools available in the workplace today!

Syllabus

Arrays and Array Functions

In Week 1, you will learn all about arrays and array functions. You will learn how to iterate through arrays using nested For...Next loops and For Each...Next statements; you will learn how to import data to VBA from Excel and export data to Excel from VBA; you will learn how to create user-defined array functions; and you will learn about the ReDim Preserve statement for resizable arrays. Week 1 is concluded with a quiz, which unlocks Assignment 1.

Week 2 deals with text strings and text (.txt) files. You will learn about the string functions in Excel and VBA. You will gain practice with string functions as you learn how to create functions in VBA that utilize string functions. You will learn how to extract strings, such as email addresses, from a spreadsheet of mixed string formats. You will also learn how to write information from Excel to .txt files and also to import information in .txt files to Excel. The module is concluded with a quiz and Assignment 2.

Week 3 is all about iterating through (automating) worksheets and workbooks. You will learn how to consolidate information from multiple worksheets into a single worksheet and you will learn how to automatically consolidate information found within multiple workbooks into a single worksheet of a single workbook. The automation principles you learn in this module are priceless. Week 3 is concluded with a quiz and a very challenging assignment.

In Week 4, you will learn about advanced input and message boxes and event handlers. You will learn how to interface with the user in a professional manner using user forms that validate input and prevent the "debug" window and VBE from appearing. You will also learn how to place combo boxes on user forms and populate those combo boxes with information on the spreadsheet. Finally, you will learn how to put it all together and implement a solving technique (bisection method) to solve a real world problem in a user form. Week 4 is concluded with a quiz, which unlocks Assignment 4.