All posts by Jordan Goldmeier
Enlarging Form Control Option Buttons
In a previous tip, I had complained about form control option buttons. I had argued they suffer because you can’t change the font size nor the “punch circle.” But then an idea dawned on me that builds off of that previous tip. We could use the same dynamic described in that earlier article and combine […]
Continue readingAuto highlighting Excel charts
On your dashboards, reports, and charts it’s a good idea to alert the user to certain types of values. In a recent post, we discussed how to alert users to certain records on tables using custom formats. We’ll build upon that here but transition to how we might achieve a similar effect on a chart. Take […]
Continue readingBetter Option Button Controls
So let’s take a look at your standard form control option buttons. In the image below, I have three buttons linked to cell F3. Cell F3 shows a three since the third option button has been selected. But I’m not in love with option buttons mostly because I can’t really do a whole lot of […]
Continue reading“Everyday” Random Shuffling with Formulas
In this article, we’ll talk about how to complete random shuffling with only formulas. Shuffling methods via VBA or a dime a dozen. But it’s much harder to perform a formula-based random shuffle since formulas don’t really allow for iteration. Non-VBA methods therefore require we think about these problems differently (what I describe in Dashboards […]
Continue readingCustom Formats for Dashboards and Spreadsheet Applications
Conditional formats are volatile. If you have too many, you see the effects of this volatility in serious calculations slowdown. As the function guru Charles Williams puts it, “…conditional formats seem to be super-volatile: they are evaluated each time the cell that contains them is repainted on the screen, even in Manual calculation mode….” But […]
Continue readingDude, where's my book?
Yes, it’s delayed, but hopefully not for long. Apress has decided to use their new cover design for the book. That means the new cover needs to get approved by the higher-ups, which has taken some time. But once approved, the book goes to print. Here’s that new cover design, by the way. Pretty snazzy, […]
Continue readingGet a free bonus video when you purchase Dashboards
Until the end of September, Chandoo and I will be offering a free, one-hour bonus video with all purchases of Dashboards for Excel. Here’s how to qualify for this offer: Purchase a copy of the book form Amazon (you can also buy it from a bookstore, but I’m not sure if they’ll be on shelves […]
Continue readingDashboards for Excel… it's finally finished!
It’s finally done! That’s right: the entire manuscript is done and in production. It’s going to the printers soon. My publisher hasn’t yet updated the Amazon page, but the planned release date is September 15th! Now, as you might recall, we spun out eight chapters from Dashboards to become Advanced Excel Essentials. So if you already […]
Continue readingLong time no see
It’s been a long time since you last heard from me. Several things have happened in my life. Well, first, I had to get a job. My consulting business was doing well, and I was actually pretty good at it (at least, I thought so). But circumstances unforeseen changed what I had to do next; […]
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Making Better Spreadsheet Models
At the PASS Business Analytics Conferences, I spoke about building better Excel models. Some of this was technical, but a good portion of my advice had to do with thinking about problems differently. Indeed, I suggest we must think differently about development specifically. There were three objectives I discussed: Development Memory Model Transparency Model Efficacy […]
Continue readingAdvanced Excel for Business – less than two weeks left to sign up!
If you’re in the Ohio Miami Valley, then don’t miss my Advanced Excel for Business workshop! There are still spots available, so don’t miss out. Remember, aside from the awesome skills you’ll learn, you’ll also get a free copy of Advanced Excel Essentials and a catered lunch. What could be better? Click here to sign up […]
Continue readingPASS Business Analytics & Free Preview Session Webinar
So there’s been a lot of anticipation about this year’s PASS Business Analytics conference in Santa Clara, California. There will be a veritable Excel “dream team” (there words, not mine) presenting at this years conferences including yours truly, Rick, Oz, Rob Collie, Chandoo and more. Ahead of this year’s presentation, I’ve provided a preview webinar called […]
Continue readingColors and Excel
The theme colors for Excel 2013 are probably the best scheme to date. However, sometimes I’m looking for another palette for my work. For instance, the colors used in this picture of a decisions support system developed in Advanced Excel Essentials are from another palette. For these colors, I use a terrific tool colored Color […]
Continue readingWhy I don’t like RUN buttons
When I first started this blog, I thought to myself: VBA is wonderful and amazing—there’s nothing you can’t do with it. I still love VBA, don’t get me wrong, but my relationship with the scripting language has changed considerably over the last several years. On a recent Excel.TV episode, Rick rightly pointed out the irony […]
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What To Look For In An Excel Developer?
I’m often asked this question, so I’ve decided to give my thoughts on the matter. Previous articles I’ve read on this question often deal with typical contracting stuff; for instance, who owns the final work? Such questions really scrape the surface of what you should look for. At a minimum, you own the client work; […]
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