Tools and Resources

I thought it would be helpful to create a resource page that you can always come to for all of your Excel spreadsheet needs. I’ll add to it as I learn more, but you’ll notice that in the future I will reference this page quite often. I recommend bookmarking it for your reference and convenience. Enjoy!

Disclosure: A majority of the resources I've listed are one hundred percent free but I want you to be aware that some of the links are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. Please understand that I have experience with all of these companies, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.

Where to Get Your Excel Questions Answered

• Mr. Excel Forum: The place to go to get your Excel questions answered by Excel gurus and experts. Other users have probably asked the same questions as you have.
• Eng Tips Forum: If you have an Excel question related to the field of engineering you can post your question in this excellent forum.
• Stackoverflow: Use this site to ask questions when you get stuck with your macros and there are tons of knowledgeable programmers willing to help you out.
• Contact Me: I’ll do my best to respond to you in a timely matter but due to the number of emails I get daily it may take some time, please be patient. Nick at excel spreadsheets help dot c.o.m.

Online Excel Viewers

Tip: Avoid vertically oriented text in your spreadsheets as vertical text is not compatible with Google Docs or Excel Web App.

• Google Docs - Easily upload all kinds of docs
• Zoho Excel Viewer - Easy to use online viewer
• EditGrid Viewer -  Another online viewer option
• View Docs Online - Supports all the popular Microsoft platforms including Excel

Tools to Increase Your Excel Knowledge and Skills

There are several methods to help improve your Excel proficiency including books, websites, and training classes. Below are the ones I recommend and have experience with.

Excel Books

• Microsoft Excel 2013 In Depth by Bill Jelen: Known as Mr. Excel, Bill Jelen is a Microsoft Excel MVP whom we interviewed earlier. This book literally covers everything you’d want to know about Excel 2013.
• 101 Secrets Of AMicrosoft Excel Addict: Discover little-known Excel secrets that have been hiding right under your nose that will help boost your Excel skills and productivity far ahead of everyone around you.
• Excel 2010 Bible by John Walkenbach: This is by far the best Excel book I have ever found for anyone who uses Microsoft Excel spreadsheets on a daily basis.
• 76 Excel Tips to Increase Your Productivity and Efficiency: If you've ever thought there has to be a better way to do this then this book is for you. Don't have time to read a 1,000 manual on Excel? No fluff, just Excel tips you can put to use right away.

Excel VBA Macro Programming Links

• Error Trapping with Visual Basic for Applications: Complete list of error codes when using the Err function.
• Microsoft Excel Object Model: Microsoft’s MSDN online library is the best place for finding out information about the Microsoft Office object model for VBA.
• Microsoft Visual Basic 2010 Step by Step by Michael Halvorson: A lot of hands-on work-by-examples will further the development of your Visual Basic programming skills.
• VBScript Functions: A comprehensive list and description of VBScript functions you can use in your Excel macros.
• http://www.automateexcel.com/learn-vba-tutorial/

Excel Online Training

• 11 Best YouTube Channels to Learn Excel: There's some great Excel tutorials on YouTube. Don't waste time sorting through all the bad ones, I've listed the best channels here.

Program Management Resources

• Project management spreadsheet templates: I've created and used numerous Excel spreadsheets on various projects over the years. Recently, I assembled all of my most useful spreadsheets into one giant master file that you can download for free (after joining my email list).
• Excel Nexus Gantt Chart: One of the best Excel Gantt charts I’ve used is the Gantt Chart Template Pro from Vertex42. This easy to use tool will make your project planning more efficient. Helpful instructions and an FAQ section are included within the spreadsheet.You can test drive the free version of the Gantt Chart but you will need the Pro version to unlock all of the features, such as grouping rows.

Other Useful Excel Related Sites

• When the Whistle Blows: David Tyler’s site is home to what I regard as the best NCAA March Madness downloadable pool manager and brackets.
• AJP Excel Information: Andy Pope’s site offers alternative solutions and custom add-ons to user limitation problems in Microsoft Excel, like the lack of hatching in Excel 2007.
• MG Helmets: Home of the football helmets used on my NCAA and NFL Helmet schedules.
• Apartment Search Spreadsheet: Find your perfect apartment by using this tool to compare and contrast rental properties by weighing the monetary cost along with the comfort, practical, and environmental factors at the same time.
• http://www.automateexcel.com/most-useful-excel-functions

Excel Mobile, Tablet, and Apps Resources

• Microsoft Surface 2: Hands down the best tablet for Excel and other Microsoft Office products. In fact, it comes with fully functional versions of Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint, and Onenote for free. As far as I know, no other tablet has anything comparable.
• Simple Spreadsheet: A free simple spreadsheet Android application.

Website Tools

In addition to Microsoft Excel, I rely on a number of products and services to help keep my work, blogs, websites, and email newsletters rolling, as well as making me a little residual income on the side. Below is a list of all the tools I use, a description of each, and where I employ them at so you can see for yourself how they work. If you’re thinking about starting your own blog, website, newsletter, or business I highly recommend using these services (and I recommend you do make a website for many reasons).

• Namecheap: Very affordable site to quickly and easily register your perfect domain name. I registered http://www.observationwheeldirectory.com through Namecheap.
• HostGator: Website host with easy to use, 1-click automatic WordPress installation, and excellent customer service. Highly recommended for your first site. Use coupon“EXCEL_HELP” for 25% off!
• Aweber: The internet’s most powerful email opt-in service and email marketing/broadcasting tool. This is what I use to build my Excel tips email newsletters.
• Wordpress Website Creation Checklist: Free downloadable checklist with all the tools you need to setup your own website in minutes.

Miscenallous 

A few other things that interest me personally that I recommend:

• The Martian by Andy Weir: One of the best books I’ve read in a long time! It’s about an astronaut (with a great sense of humor) who gets left behind on a mission to Mars and has to figure out how to survive. If you’re interested in space exploration, problem solving, engineering, chemistry, botany, or disco + 70s TV shows, I highly recommend you read The Martian

Did I miss any resources that you think are essential that you’d like to share with the community? Feel free to share in the comment section below!

Thank you so much for your support!
-Nick