I ordered Microsoft Excel 2000: Step by Step to aid myslef in becoming more acclimated in the Excel platform. I have made spreadsheets and charts before using Excel 95 & 97, but it had been some time since I last employed Excel. Also, I never claimed to be the Excel Master that others profess to be. That's why I purchased this book - to not only make me proficient with Excel, but to bolster my abilities so that I will pass the Microsoft User Specialist Excel Master exam and become a Certified Excel Master and receive my pretty little certificate in the mail.

The 18 easy to follow chapters range from setting up a simple worksheet, integrating Microsoft Office data, distributing data online, sorting, filtering, & subtotaling data, as well as making amazing charts, graphs, and flowcharts that will be attention-getters and jump out at their audience. The extensive hands-on exercises utilize the copious amounts of example spreadsheets contained on the CD-ROM that allow you to move at your own pace while concurrently mastering Excel 2000.

This book will get you up and running with using Excel in no time. From the sizes of other books out there, this book does not cover everything, but it is excellent for beginners of Excel. The book covers macros and explains VBA, which would be the next thing for you to learn if you want to unleash the power of Excel to a higher level. Some other notable topics covered are pivot tables and charts, and the book has many useful tips for getting things done quickly such as generating lists, picking from lists, and covers many other tips for reducing typing in data entry. Enjoy!

Excel 2000 has a ton of features, none of which I thought I would ever find. This book let me dig in at any level. I am only partially through it and have already learned so much.