Why does the World Need Excel Data Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation? When spreadsheets ?rst became widely available in the early 1980s, it spawned a revolution in teaching. What previously could only be done with arcane software and large scale computing was now available to the common-man, on a desktop. Also, before spreadsheets, most substantial analytical work was done outside the classroom where the tools were; spreadsheets and personal computers moved the work into the classroom. Not only did it change how the analysis curriculum was taught, but it also empowered students to venture out on their own to explore new ways to use the tools. I can t tell you how many phone calls, of?ce visits, and/or emails I have received in my teaching career from ecstatic students crowing about what they have just done with a spreadsheet model. I have been teaching courses related to spreadsheet based analysis and modeling for about 25 years and I have watched and participated in the spreadsheet revolution."
It's a good book if you are a beginner in Excel as it introduces functionalities with examples and practice exercises. However, I found the questions to be a bit of a walkover hence the low rating.
OK for beginners. Also, don't expect to be able to do any robust time series analysis (Section 3.5) or modeling and simulation (Chapters 7 & 8) in Excel. Good if you want to learn how to make quick toy models, but if you understand what a toy model is, this book is probably too simple for you.