In Search of Excel-ence!

I’m trying something new at work.

Microsoft Excel and I kind of have a love/hate relationship. I get that it’s a powerful tool and I can see its usefulness. But I’m the sort of bloke that likes to have a rack at something, then ask for help later. I generally find that I learn best by either a) trying different things until I get a solution; or b) getting someone to show me how. Excel doesn’t respond too well to either approaches. I think it assumes that you have some programming skill, combined with a degree in higher maths. I have a degree in Theology. No prizes for guessing how helpful that is!

My reasons for putting myself through this torure? Firstly there is a purpose behind this. My role involves in sending out forms and getting them back. I’ve noticed increasingly that my clients are filling them in, scanning them and then trying to email them back. The result is not always that great, information gets missed and sometimes confused, and the process can get time-consuming. Secondly I want to make it clear and easy. My aim is to design a form that can be easily completed, gives both the client and myself all the information they need, and can be either printed in hard copy, or sent wirelessly. Thirdly I could do this in a PDF format, but the software costs are pretty much out of reach for me, and my work isn’t prepared to fork out for it, so Excel it is.

It’s a frustrating process, but in an odd way I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying trying to nut things out for myself, I have learned a bit already, and I think that in the end I’ll end up with a better product for the College and the client. Plus, it will hopefully add a skill I can use elsewhere.