-Includes a thorough introduction to the VBA language and Excel object libraries - Addresses the problems and pitfalls of Excel VBA--especially those not covered in Microsoft's online documentation--which advanced programmers face -Covers advanced topics that are often overlooked, such as automating graphs, pivot-tables, and data analysis; accesing external data using ADO; and using the file scripting object - Explains how to automate repetitive tasks and build easy-to-use Excel applications -Shows how to extend Excel - Focuses on real-world applications Microsoft's Excel is not only a powerful spreadsheet and graphics tool--it contains a programming language called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). VBA allows you to automate simple tasks, but also enables you to create full-featured applications that make excel users more productive. In this book, Michael Kofler provides the definitive coverage of VBA for Excel by showing how it can be used to implement real-world business solutions. Designed to be useful for programmers who have never used VBA before, it nevertheless covers the advanced topics needed for users already familiar with VBA. First, Kofler introduces VBA and shows examples of the kind of tasks that can be performed. He then introduces the Excel object model, focusing on the unique characteristics of programming and debugging code that are associated with a spreadsheet. The next few chapters cover munues, toolbars, forms and templates--the tools for creating customized user interfaces and full-featured applications. Kofler then moves onto a broad range of advanced topics, including automating graphs and diagrams, accessing external databases from excel and analyzing data using grouping and pivot-tables. He even covers Excel-related features of Office Developer such as the development of COM Add-Ins. Throughout the book, the author never loses sight of the real-world problems faced by Excel programmers. The author also shows how to avaid undocumented or poorly documented problems that arise when programming Excel using VBA--the kind of practical knowledge that is gained through hard experience. About the Author Michael Kofler earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science at Graz Technical University. He has written a number of successful computer books on topics such as Visual Basic, VBA programming for Excel, Linux, Mathematica, and Maple.