Learning VBA during the Winter Break

[RussianMike]

Hi,

I was thinking it may be a good idea to have a group of people not familiar with VBA to learn it during the break. I am not familiar with it so I do not know whether this can be learned in 1 month (I realize some learning would take place) etc. Does anyone have book recommendations etc? Is anyone in the program familiar with it and would be willing to run a Master Class (for $?)

[woody]

The easiest way to learn is by recording actions then looking at the code. This is probably how 90% of VBA scripts start out. Then you have to alter the code to make it more flexible. I'd get a big VBA reference and use the Internet to find solutions to various problems.

[RussianMike]

I'd get a big VBA reference

huh. Kind of lost me on that one. First of all, what is VBA is it embedded in EXCEL or a separate thing that needs to be d/l and installed. What big VBA reference? Does anyone have some suggestions?

[woody]

In Excel, you can record 'macros' which are VBA. Look in the menu Tools > Macro >

There are options for 'Macros' and 'VBEditor' and 'record macro.' I could show you how to record and edit a VBA macro in Excel, but it's a little hard to explain in the forum.

[Phat Loc]

I can teach you guys VBA. Just let me know the time and place!

:)

[Yan He]

You are just so cool!!! :smt023 :smt023

[Phat Loc]

If you guys are good for me teaching the course please let me know the following:

1. How many people is going to attend?
2. What is their experience with Excel?
3. Can we have hold it in the Lab?
4. Can we do it before Christmas? I have a trip plan for Hong Kong on the 26th of December.

Thanks,

Phat

[Andy]

1) At least a dozen from what I can see. Maybe more.
2) I know Excel but like to learn more advanced techniques and getting VBA to work with it.
3) Yes and No. It depends on when you plan to teach. If it's weekend, then you should have total access to the lab. If not, any classroom will do. we have projector in every classroom and each student will bring his laptop.
4) The weekend right after the last final should be perfect. The last final should be finished by Dec 22.

Thanks very much, Phat. This means a lot to all of us.

[Phat Loc]

The 23rd is fine with me or some time earlier. Is the school open on that day? I should be ready by Sunday of this week. I will just write up some notes and an example spreadsheet. I will post up my notes and you can guys can look it over. How long should I plan my material for? 2 hours? Or more?

[alain]

Any day of that week is good for me except Thursday Dec 21st.

[RussianMike]

Phat u da man. thank you very much. I'll attend anytime that is convenient for u.

[Bridgett]

The 23rd is fine with me or some time earlier. Is the school open on that day? I should be ready by Sunday of this week. I will just write up some notes and an example spreadsheet. I will post up my notes and you can guys can look it over. How long should I plan my material for? 2 hours? Or more?

2 hours would be optimal. This way, if there is more demand after the 2 hours, feedback can made available for optimizing the next session.

[Yan He]

23rd is fine for me. The only concern is whether school open or not. Phat, what kind of material we need to go through first before the workshop ?

[jimmycc]

The campus is closed on 12/24 - 12/25. It does not say anything about 12/23. Double check with Cathy to see if it is open or not.


Two years ago, Phat did a presentation on Excel VBA. It was wonderful. From that presentation, I grasped the essence of Excel VBA, and was able to code a great # of programs. In particular, I was able to do Professor Raynes' program. I was thinking of doing one such event for QuantNetwork for the Fall 2006 term, but we had so many events that I decided not to do it.



Jimmy

[Phat Loc]

I will write up some notes and post it up hopefully this week end. Should be fairly simple. I don't think you need to prepare beforehand.

[Andy]

I will write up some notes and post it up hopefully this week end.
Thanks for your time, Phat.

The last final for us is Tue, Dec 19 for 9831 class so if you can only do weekend then it's gonna be Sat 23. If you can do evening (say 6-8pm) after work then you can pick any date between 19-23 at your convinience. We will reschedule ours around yours, Phat.

Just to make this official, we should sign up here for the VBA workshop so Phat can have an exact headcount. Add the next number in front of your name. Thanks.

1) Andy

[RussianMike]

2)Mike

[Yan He]

3) Maggie (Yan) :)

[alain]

I'm in but I can't do the 21st (Work related stuff).

[Eddie]

I thought I was gonna miss out on this since I'm leaving for winter break;
turned out Phat and I have the same departure date. So guess I'm in too.
5) Eddie

[RussianMike]

Just a suggestion. Friday Dec 22 is right b4 Christmas so the people working will probably be able to leave earlier (3-4pm). This might be ideal?

[woody]

Just a suggestion. Friday Dec 22 is right b4 Christmas so the people working will probably be able to leave earlier (3-4pm). This might be ideal?

It is also the day some of us will be leaving to visit family out of town.

If it's Tues, Wed, or Thurs I'd like to join. I know enough VBA to get done what I need, but would probably benefit from learning some more.

[Phat Loc]

I am going to write up some material this weekend. Most probably it will be on a week night. I will talk to Dan regarding when.

[PatM]

www.vbnumericalmethods.com is a good site to get started for ideas -- just wanted to throw that out there.

[RussianMike]

Pat, thank you very much!

[Phat Loc]

January is looking to me to be a better time to do this VBA workshop. It will probably be around 4 hours for it to be useful. I want to cover the basics to the more advanced topic of writing an addin in C++ or .Net. What is your schedules for next semester? I want to do it before the classes start. Please let me know if this works for you all. I will be back from Hong Kong on the 8th.

[RussianMike]

We have a refresher the last week of January I believe. Some people may be away on vacations etc. For me it works, actually

[Yan He]

Phat, is Dec. 23 the final time for the VBA workshop? Can you list your other possible time ? I think many of us really want to take it..but may not follow the schedule.

[Phat Loc]

Hi All,

Lets do it on the 23rd of Dec. I want to do it early in the day. Please let me know what time works for everyone. If you can't make it on the 23rd that won't be a problem. Part of making an infrastructure that can be extended and reused by students will require me to see more of you guys. Therefore I will be giving workshops in January when I come back. So if you can't make the 23rd it is no big deal since what you miss I will cover more in depth in January. I also plan to audit Dan's PDE course next semester.

Can some one arrange for the room and time on the 23rd? Thank you!

Best Regards,

Phat

[Phat Loc]

Attached are the notes and codes for the workshop. I will be available the weekend of 16th and 17th and all day Friday the 22 (got this one off) and 23rd the Saturday.

Please let me know where and what day you would like to do this workshop.

[RussianMike]

Some of us may have the 9821 exam over that weekend. I'm not sure if I will be able to make it but I hope I will be able to. I'm not sure about other people

[Phat Loc]

If it works better for this to be done in January that can be done too. Please decide amongst your classmates as to when the best time is. I am flexible. :)

[alain]

I rather do it in January since I will be taking the 9821 final that weekend. Thanks Phat!!!

[AmericanBilly]

Alain, I'm with you on the 23rd... :toimonster: taking the 9821 final

[Andy]

The workshop is now scheduled for Sun 21th at 10am. Please RSVP here http://www.quantnet.org/forum/showthread.php?t=777

[Andy]

Just want to say thanks to Phat again. I downloaded his guide and it's been very helpful for my work.

[dstefan]

Just want to say thanks to Phat again. I downloaded his guide and it's been very helpful for my work.

email him to let him know about it. he does not read QuantNet that much anymore :)