The Excel Page

There is no such thing as an Excel-VBA Programmer.

There are as many types of Programmers as there are Programming Languages (C++, Java, Pearl, C, Cobol, Visual Basic (VB) and other specialized languages).

Whatever the language, there are three categories of Programmers:
- The first category of Programmers develop procedures that talk to other procedures within the MACHINE. They work in a closed environment where the USER factor is not a real concern to them and it is normal. In this category, you need someone would masters the computer language and who understands machines better than humans. If you can handle attitudes, nerds or geniuses even with an attitude are good prospects.

- The second category of Programmers have to create modules that collect information from USERS and organize this input so that the MACHINE understands it. They are called GUI Designers (Graphic User Interface). These Programmers work for the MACHINE and the MACHINE is the top priority but the interfaces (forms) that they develop have to be designed to minimize USER errors. Still, remembering that the MACHINE exists to serve the USER, the interfaces must make the human part of the transaction as friendly as possible because unhappy USERS make more mistakes involuntarily or voluntarily. Unhappy USERS will even refuse to work with the interface and the MACHINE that feeds from these interfaces will starve and your system will die. To do this job, the Programmer must be a good listener and must be service oriented.

- The third category of Programmers have to create modules that extract information from the MACHINE and organize this output so that the USER understands it. They are also called GUI Designers (Graphic User Interface). These Programmer work for the USERS and the USERS must be their top priority. In the database's and ERP system's environments, these Programmers design REPORTS and/or make the data available for USERS who design their own REPORTS. To do this job, the Programmer must not be a good listener but a GREAT listener. He must be USER oriented and must possess a good understanding of the data and of the intuitive patterns of the USERS. No nerds or geniuses with an attitude are welcome.

To develop and maintain databases (warehouses and datamarts) and specialized applications (financial, ERP and others) you need all three categories of Programmers.

Databases (warehouses and datamarts) and specialized applications (financial, ERP and others) are essential in today's enterprises and computer specialists like programmers will always remain the most suited to insure the efficiency of these systems.

But there is a no man's land between database specialists and data USERS. That is where Excel-VBA development can play an essential role because all database and ERP systems creators have tried to develop reporting applications downstream from their otherwise very good system and this effort has met with very limited success.

Excel in itself is very powerful and it also includes a real programming language called Visual Basic for application (VBA). VBA for Excel is different from VB and different from VBA for Word or VBA for ASP or VBA for Access. They are all based on VB but they differ a LOT from each other. As a comparison, imagine a table around which sit five English speaking persons, an engineer, a physician, a lawyer, a farmer and a musician. Imagine them trying to talk to each other about their trade. That is how different are one VBA from the other or from VB.

Why use Excel-VBA rather than the reporting application of your database or your ERP system? Because it is a lot easier and a lot cheaper to train your people in Excel and VBA than to get a Programmer to master your trade or to learn about your business.

There is no such thing as an Excel-VBA Programmer. To use VBA for Excel, a candidate MUST master Excel specially SUMPRODUCT formulas and INDEX/MATCH formulas. Ideally, your Excel VBA Developer should know your trade and even your business.

You will probably need an outside consultant to build in-house expertise. Find an experienced accountant, production planner, engineer, scientist who has the expertise to develop applications and reports in Excel-VBA. And remember that an Excel-VBA Developer has to accomplish the tasks of all the three categories of Programmers and has to be very user oriented, so no nerds and no geniuses with an attitude.

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