ExcelTips FAQ

What Versions of Excel Are Covered?

ExcelTips is designed for users of Excel 97 (version 8), Excel 2000 (version 9), Excel 2002 (version 10), Excel 2003 (version 11), and Excel 2007 (version 12). When there are differences in how a certain tip is done on a particular version of Excel, those differences are clearly explained in each tip.

What About Excel for the Mac?

Many ExcelTips are equally applicable to versions of Excel for the Mac. In fact, there are many newsletter subscribers who use only Excel for the Mac. The differences in implementation for the Mac are not pointed out in ExcelTips, however.

Is There Any Charge for ExcelTips?

No. ExcelTips is provided free of charge, both the Web site and the newsletter. We do, however, have a subscription-based version called ExcelTips Premium. It provides many benefits over regular ExcelTips, and is available for a nominal annual charge.

When Is ExcelTips Published?

ExcelTips is published each Saturday, before the end of the day. For many readers, this means that ExcelTips is waiting for them when they arrive at work on Monday morning.

What Do You Do With My E-Mail Address?

We add it to our list of subscribers, and that is it. We don't make the list of subscribers available to the public, and we don't sell our mailing list to anyone else. (Thus, if you receive any spam, it did not originate at our site.) For our complete privacy policy, check this Web page.

Are Past ExcelTips Available On-Line?

Past issues are not available on-line, but are available on convenient ExcelTips archive CD-ROMs. Individual tips from each of the past issues are available at the ExcelTips Web site.

Who Writes ExcelTips?

ExcelTips is written and edited by Allen L. Wyatt.

Why Do You Do ExcelTips?

For two reason, primarily. First, I use Excel quite often, and I really enjoy the program. That being said, there are still many things that are frustrating, and I have had to search for how to accomplish them. I think many other people are in the same boat. The second reason is that I love to write. I have written about 50 computer books, and you have to love writing to do that.

What Do You Get Out of Writing ExcelTips?

Other than the satisfaction of helping other people, not much. There is no charge for ExcelTips, so there is no remuneration attached to it. I don't work for an employer that subsidizes ExcelTips, nor do I have a rich uncle. I do, however, get a small amount from advertising and from the sale of ExcelTips archives.

Does ExcelTips Cover Macros?

ExcelTips is not a tutorial in how to write macros, but many of the tips included in ExcelTips rely on macros to accomplish tasks.

How Can I Get Help With a Problem?

Each issue of ExcelTips includes a Help Wanted section. The section is dedicated to those readers having problems making Excel behave the way they expect. It contains restated problems that were forwarded to ExcelTips. If you have a problem, visit this page to send it in. We can't guarantee you will get a prompt answer (or even an answer at all), but you may be able to finally get that nagging problem off your chest. If your question is included in the Help Wanted section, readers may respond with solutions. These solutions are then formatted into tips which appear in future issues of ExcelTips.

How Do You Choose Items in the Help Wanted Section?

As you can imagine, I receive lots of mail each week from people needing help. If I know the answer right off the top of my head, I fire back an e-mail. If I need to do research, I collect all the requests and then look at them once a week. I only choose one or two requests for each issue of ExcelTips, so I look for those that are unique or of perhaps the widest interest. Thus, not all requests make it into the newsletter. I don't delete the questions, however. I still hold on to them, just in case another reader later has a similar question. (Multiple readers with questions on the same topic results in a greater chance of being in the Help Wanted section.)

Some people get worried (or worse, angry) when their query is not answered. To be honest, I don't have time to respond to every query. (See the question about what I get out of doing ExcelTips.) Believe it or not, it takes quite a bit of time to put this newsletter together, and (unreasonable as it may seem) my wife and kids insist I do something to bring in a living. Rest assured that I will do what I can to help, within the time and resources at my disposal.

Can I Pass ExcelTips on To My Friends?

Yes, you can—to a point. We want people to hear about and use ExcelTips. ExcelTips may be circulated via MANUAL forwarding by e-mail to others, providing that 1) the file is transmitted in its entirety, and 2) NO FEE is charged. We would ask that you only do this to the same person up to three times. At that point, your friend should have decided whether to subscribe on their own. (After all, ExcelTips is free and anyone can get it.)

If you subscribe to ExcelTips Premium, weekly issues of that newsletter may not be passed on to others or shared with them.

Please, invite your friends to visit the ExcelTips Web site. Thousands of people search through the answers there and get the help they need. It is a great place for people to get a feel for the quality of the newsletter's content and to make their own decisions.

Can I Post ExcelTips Newsletters on My Network?

Yes, as long as each issue is included with no alterations. People on the network must be able to subscribe on their own, as well. Note that this posting must not be accessible to anyone outside of your organization. This means you cannot post ExcelTips on your Web site, your FTP site, or your BBS. You cannot copy information from the ExcelTips Web site and post it to your network, although we encourage links to the Web site itself.

How Do I Subscribe to ExcelTips?

Simple—just click here.

How Do I Unsubscribe from ExcelTips?

Again, the easiest way is to simply click here.

How Do I Change My Subscription Address?

You should unsubscribe under you the old address and then subscribe using the new address.

Can I Advertise in ExcelTips?

ExcelTips allows some advertising in the newsletter. If you would like to help support ExcelTips and promote your products or services, we have prepared another Web page with more information.