Do you learn about Excel online, through blog posts, websites, or video libraries? I’d really appreciate your comments on these two questions:
A. What kind of online Excel tutorials do you like best (explained below)?
(polls)
B. Have you always liked that type of online instruction, or did your preference change at some point in the Excel learning curve?
Written Instructions
When I started the Contextures website, my Excel tutorials had simple written instructions, with key points illustrated with screen shots. Sometimes I’d add a circle or arrow to the screen shot, or a line and label, to make things clearer.
For example, here’s a tutorial for Excel conditional formatting examples. It has lots of words, and a few pictures. You can skim through the page to find a specific topic, or work your way from top to bottom, trying the examples.
There’s also a link to a sample file that readers can download, to follow the tutorials.
Short Video Tutorials
A few years ago I dabbled briefly with Camtasia Studio, and created a short pivot table tutorial. It explained how to change pivot table data fields from vertical to horizontal (warning – the sound comes on immediately). Apparently I was speaking into a tin can while recording it, but it is short, and to the point.
In early 2008, I started recording Excel video tutorials again, using a newer version of Camtasia Studio. The quality was a bit better, and I posted them on my Contextures YouTube channel, and embedded them in my website.
The feedback has been very positive, and the videos have been viewed thousands of times.
Interactive Learning
Recently, I heard about ViewletCam software that lets you create interactive videos. The output can be SWF (Flash) files, so you could put them on the website directly, since they’re much smaller than video files.
I haven’t tried this software, but it might be a good middle ground, where words aren’t enough and a video is too much.
Maybe people remember things better if they try them onscreen, instead of reading or watching.
Webinar
Have you attended any Excel webinars? I’ve signed up for a few non-Excel webinars, of varying quality, but nothing Excel related. In a webinar, you could see an Excel technique demonstrated, and ask any questions that you had.
What Do You Prefer?
So, going back to my original questions, I’d love to hear what you think. It’s not a scientific survey, just gathering opinions, so please vote, and comment on both questions, or just one, or make up your own question and answer that. 😉
A) Do any of these online Excel training tools appeal to you?
B) If so, have you always preferred that type of online Excel training?
Thanks!
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