"Excel For Scientists and Engineers" Book

[JTMergens]

I use excel a lot in projects and I am always looking to learn more about the program to better automate my repetitive calculations. I came across a book called "Excel for Scientists and Engineers", based on the description, it sounds like this book outlines easy ways to use excel for common tasks applicable to engineering and the sciences. I cannot find any reviews for this book and it is moderately expensive, so I wanted to know if anyone on here has used this book and what they thought, or if there is a similar book that some of you were happy with.

Thank you for your time,

Josh

 

[IDS]

Assuming you are referring to the book by E. Joseph Billo:

It's a good book, but the sub-title really best describes the contents of the book, "Numerical Methods".

Chapter titles are:

1. Introducing VBA
2. Fundamentals of programming with VBA
3. Worksheet functions for working with matrices
4. Number Series
5. Interpolation
6. Differentiation
7. Integration
8. Roots of Equations
9. Systems of simultaneous equations
10, 11 Numerical integration of ODEs
12. Partial differential equations
13. Linear regression and curve fitting
14. Non linear regression using the solver
15. Random numbers and the Monte Carlo Method.

So it covers how to do those things using Excel. There is limited information on things like formatting, using charts, using graphic objects, nothing on pivot tables.

I'd say it covers the mathematical stuff well (although necessarily at a fairly basic level, given the scope), but if you are looking for information on the other stuff, in a science and engineering context, it may not be what you are looking for.

Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[TomBarsh]

I got excited about it, bought it, read it, and was disappointed. There are several threads at eng-tips about the book.

Okay, that was about a different book with almost the same title. But my recommendations for the two books and Doug's blog still stands.

 

[TomBarsh]

Really, just get a Walkenbach book, the Excel VBA book from wrox, and read Doug's blog about Excel. Much better use of your time.

 

[JTMergens]

Thank you everyone, this has been helpful.