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Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1

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Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1

University of Colorado Boulder

About this course: "Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1" is aimed at learners who are seeking to augment, expand, optimize, and increase the efficiency of their Excel spreadsheet skills by tapping into the powerful programming, automation, and customization capabilities available with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). This course is the first part of a three-part series and Specialization that focuses on the application of computing techniques in Excel/VBA to solve problems. In this course (Part 1), you will: 1) create macros to automate procedures in Excel; 2) define your own user-defined functions; 3) create basic subroutines to interface with the user; 4) learn the basic programming structures in VBA; and 5) automate Excel’s Goal Seek and Solver tools and use numerical techniques to create “live solutions” to solve targeting and optimization problems. New to computer programming? The extremely intuitive and visual nature of VBA lends itself nicely to teaching and learning - what a fun way to learn to code! No prior knowledge in programming nor advanced math skills are necessary yet seasoned programmers will pick up new and creative spreadsheet problem solving strategies. After you have learned the basics of VBA, each module will introduce foundational and broad problems inspired by situations that you might encounter in the real world. To pass each module, you'll need to pass a mastery quiz and complete a problem solving assignment. This course is unique in that the weekly assignments are completed in-application (i.e., on your own computer in Excel), providing you with valuable hands-on training.

Who is this class for: This course is aimed at science/engineering/business students and professionals wishing to unlock the vast potential of Visual Basic for Applications to help you automate and customize the Excel spreadsheet environment.


Created by:  University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder

  • Charlie Nuttelman

    Taught by:  Charlie Nuttelman, Instructor

    Chemical and Biological Engineering
Basic Info
Course 1 of 3 in the Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving Specialization
LevelBeginner
Commitment5 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/week
Language
English
Hardware ReqThe Windows version of Microsoft Excel OR running Windows Excel on Mac with Boot Camp or Parallels.
How To PassPass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings
4.8 stars
Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Macro recording, VBA procedures, and debugging
Week 1 will introduce you to visual basic for applications (VBA) and teach you the foundational tools required to create basic procedures in VBA. You'll learn about different data types and the scope of variables, how to troubleshoot your code when it's not working, and how to record basic macros using both absolute and relative referencing modes.
14 videos, 8 readings
  1. Video: Welcome!
  2. Video: What can you do with Excel/VBA?
  3. Reading: For Mac users
  4. Video: Is this course for you?
  5. Reading: The power of Excel/VBA
  6. Video: How the course works
  7. Reading: The importance of a Course Certificate and the future of higher education
  8. Reading: For business and finance folks
  9. Reading: Course improvement and my philosophy on learning
  10. Discussion Prompt: What about you?!
  11. Reading: Review of Excel (if you need it!)
  12. Video: Week 1 preview
  13. Video: Getting your feet wet
  14. Video: Saving your files as macro-enabled workbooks
  15. Video: Recording basic macros
  16. Video: Absolute vs. relative referencing during macro recording
  17. Video: Overview of procedures in VBA
  18. Video: Why use Option Explicit?
  19. Video: Declaration of variables, data types, and scope of variables
  20. Video: How to troubleshoot when your code is not working properly
  21. Reading: "Debugging.xlsm" file
  22. Discussion Prompt: (OPTIONAL) Week 1 reflection
  23. Reading: Assignment 1
  24. Video: Assignment 1 preview and instructions
  25. Discussion Prompt: Assignment 1 Discussion
Graded: Week 1 Quiz
Graded: Assignment 1 Submission
WEEK 2
User-Defined VBA Functions
In Week 2, you will learn basic VBA expression entry, how to create user-defined functions, how to convert functions to Add-Ins in Excel, how to borrow Excel's built-in functions, how to troubleshoot your VBA functions when they aren't working, and you'll learn about how to design your procedures in a modular fashion.
11 videos, 1 reading
  1. Video: Week 2 preview
  2. Video: How to write basic VBA expressions and use built-in functions
  3. Video: How to make your own user-defined function
  4. Video: Example of a user-defined function
  5. Video: How to convert a user-defined function to an Excel Add-In
  6. Video: Borrowing Excel functions
  7. Video: How to troubleshoot your user defined functions
  8. Video: Why you don't use input and message boxes in functions
  9. Video: An introduction to modular programming
  10. Video: Running a subroutine that resides in another file
  11. Discussion Prompt: (OPTIONAL) Week 2 reflection
  12. Reading: Assignment 2
  13. Video: Assignment 2 preview and instructions
  14. Discussion Prompt: Assignment 2 Discussion
Graded: Week 2 Quiz
Graded: Assignment 2 submission
WEEK 3
Exchanging Information Between Excel and VBA
Week 3 teaches you all about how to reference and move information to VBA from Excel and vice versa. You'll learn about the various objects, properties, methods, and events in VBA. Some of the most important properties and methods will be learned in this module that will make future problem solving in the course possible. You will also learn how to deal with errors that arise in your subroutines.
8 videos, 1 reading
  1. Video: Week 3 preview
  2. Video: Introduction to objects, properties, methods, and events
  3. Video: Common objects, properties, and methods
  4. Video: Examples, Part 1: Basic input and output in subroutines
  5. Video: Examples, Part 2: Basic input and output in subroutines
  6. Video: Examples, Part 3: Basic input and output in subroutines
  7. Video: How to handle basic user error in your subroutines
  8. Discussion Prompt: (OPTIONAL) Week 3 reflection
  9. Reading: Assignment 3
  10. Video: Assignment 3 preview and instructions
  11. Discussion Prompt: Assignment 3 Discussion
Graded: Week 3 Quiz
Graded: Assignment 3 submission
WEEK 4
Programming structures in VBA
Week 4 begins the "meat" of programming in VBA, and we are finally moving into some exciting problem solving. You will learn about the common programming structures in VBA (sequence, selection, and repetition) that form the foundation for advanced programming procedures. Several examples will highlight the utility of these programming structures.
15 videos, 2 readings
  1. Video: Week 4 preview
  2. Video: How to implement One-Way If...Then selection structures
  3. Video: How to implement Two-Way If...Then selection structures
  4. Video: All about the Multi-Alternative If...Then
  5. Video: Variable iteration loops (Do...Loops)
  6. Video: Validating user input using a Do...Loop
  7. Video: Creating a guessing game using a Do...Loop
  8. Video: All about fixed iteration (For...Next) loops
  9. Video: Putting it all together: Example 1
  10. Video: Putting it all together: Example 2
  11. Video: Using the For Each... Next statement
  12. Video: Worked mini-project: Searching through high and low temperatures in an Excel workbook
  13. Reading: "Boulder High and Low Temperatures 2016 - STARTER.xlsm" file
  14. Video: (OPTIONAL) Advanced input validation and error handling: Part 1
  15. Video: (OPTIONAL) Advanced input validation and error handling: Part 2
  16. Discussion Prompt: (OPTIONAL) Week 4 reflection
  17. Reading: Assignment 4
  18. Video: Assignment 4 preview and instructions
  19. Discussion Prompt: Assignment 4 Discussion
Graded: Week 4 Quiz
Graded: Assignment 4 submission
WEEK 5
(OPTIONAL) Numerical techniques and live solution strategies
Week 5 is OPTIONAL! Those who complete the Week 5 assessments (Quiz 5 and Assignment 5) will earn an Honors designation on their Course Certificate (see the first reading "WEEK 5 IS OPTIONAL" below). Week 5 delves into some important numerical techniques that can be used in Excel without the use of VBA. You will also explore ways in which the targeting tools in Excel (Goal Seek and Solver tools) can be automated in VBA. Finally, you'll explore some exciting "live solution" methods that have distinct advantages, especially for case studies where you have multiple scenarios that must be solved. Week 5 represents the most math-heavy module of either part of "Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving" but will provide you with some extremely useful tools that you can implement in solving a variety of real world problems. Even if you choose to skip/forego Week 5, you can always use this material as reference in the future!
15 videos, 5 readings
  1. Reading: Week 5 is optional, but you can earn Honors designation
  2. Video: Week 5 preview
  3. Video: How to use the Goal Seek and Solver tools to solve targeting problems
  4. Video: How to solve optimization problems using the Solver tool
  5. Video: Fuel tank example and limitations of the Goal Seek and Solver Tools
  6. Reading: "Fuel Tank - STARTER.xlsx" file
  7. Video: Automating the Goal Seek and Solver Tools
  8. Video: Circular Calculations in Excel
  9. Video: Implementing the bisection method in Excel
  10. Video: Implementing a live solution of the bisection method to solve a case study
  11. Video: Using the Golden Section search technique for optimization problems in Excel
  12. Video: Live solution of the Golden Search technique for solving an optimization problem
  13. Video: Solving a case study for friction factor using a circular calculation
  14. Video: Implementing targeting and optimization algorithms in VBA subroutines
  15. Video: Bisection method in a VBA function
  16. Reading: Course wrap-up and I'd love to see what you are doing with VBA!
  17. Reading: Consider rating the course
  18. Discussion Prompt: (OPTIONAL) Week 5 reflection
  19. Video: Preview of Part 2 of the course
  20. Reading: Assignment 5
  21. Video: Assignment 5 preview and instructions
  22. Discussion Prompt: Assignment 5 Discussion
Graded: Week 5 Quiz
Graded: Assignment 5 submission

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University of Colorado Boulder
CU-Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
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Ratings and Reviews
Rated 4.8 out of 5 of 112 ratings

A

Great course! It was really fun to do all the challenging tasks it offers!

KR

Clear and direct teaching, many applications and examples during learning

NR

Well-constructed.

MK

The best part is I can apply the skills learner here right away! Will definitely take part 2.



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