Learn Excel 2013 Essential Skills with The Smart Method: Courseware tutorial for self-instruction to beginner and intermediate level

Love the book and the skills set lesrned

This is an awesome book. I needed to learn Excel in the shortest time possible. I first bought the Excel 2013 for Dummies, read it, and it was a waste of time. Too much verbiage, not enough practical information. Didn't come with any sample files. My perception is that the Dummies series is written in such a way as to be cute, but it isn't. MIke Smart's book is right on point. It's what I was really looking for. It's very practical, you can learn an awful lot in a short time, and it comes with many sample files that you download that you can practice on, step by step. It's a great buy, and it's inexpensive. I'm just sorry that I didn't come across it first before I spent the money on the Dummy book.

The best book for learning Excel. Mike Smart did an excellent job in writing this book. Instead of including a CD with the book, the files are available for download from the website, This helps keep the price of the book down. There were a couple of things I needed to know for a spreadsheet I was working on that were not in the essential skills book, such as VLOOKUP, but most spreadsheets don't need that. I solved the problem of VLOOKUP using www.google.com. There are endless functions in Excel and Mike Smart covers the ones used most often in this book. If you need more, also see his Expert Skills book.p

My knowledge of Excel was very basic to say the least, but I was about to start a new job that required very heavy use and far more advanced knowledge. This book is outstanding. The short lessons help digest the information, and help keep the time commitments to a manageable level. The sample databases not only increase your knowledge through practical application of what you learn, but confidence level as well. Was not going to get the advanced book, but the first was so helpful I am interested to see what else I can learn.

I have a vast library of Excel manuals. My usual go to one is the Missing Manual. But for learning Excel (2013) quickly, the Smart Method is excellent. Each page is a lesson. You ramp up in skill and knowledge at a diliberate pace. The writing is clear as well as the diagrams. The font is a perfect size unlike another Excel manual I reviewed some months ago. If you are new to this version of Excel or want to improve upon your current skill set, then give this manual a try. I am sure you will find it extremely useful. It is better than the "Dummies" series, "Step by Step" or "Visual" series of books.

I love this book. Even though I knew Excel some, I was definitely not proficient, had trouble with formulas, etc. This book is super great, easy, and now I am so much better when doing spreadsheets and other charts/forms. This book is also very wonderful to go back to reference to on particular things you may have in questions. I definitely recommend this book for anyone that is new to Excel or needs to brush up on their Excel skills. Learn Excel 2013 Essential Skills with The Smart Method: Courseware tutorial for self-instruction to beginner and intermediate level

I have been interested in learning Excel for a long time. I wanted something comprehensive, but I didn't want to spend a lot of time on things I already know. This book solves this perfectly. Each lesson has step and sub-steps that explain how to do them. If you already know, you can skip the sub-steps and breeze through the lessons that cover what you already know. A great book for learning the basics of Excel without wasting a lot of timing learning what you already know.

I am a college professor and teach EXCEL; once I received this book, I wanted to use it, along with the companion volume (Mike Smart's EXCEL EXPERT SKILLS) in my Excel courses; how disappointed I am that our college book store cannot obtain this book! (When I explained I bought it from AMAZON, the bookstore said they are not permitted to buy from AMAZON as they are a competitor). These are great Excel books--very reasonably priced with short tutorials that teach Excel techniques quickly and easily. So much better than the SHELLY CASHMAN textbooks we have been using in our computer classes.

I have been using Excel at work and home for 20 years and have many Excel reference/learning books. This series of books, for me, are quite amazing the best I have found. They are written as if the author Mike Smart is actually with you teaching you step by step. Each chapter has a number of examples/scenarios teaching you how to carry out a task building to a test at the end of the chapter. It works well and you are pleasantly surprised at what you remembered. As I was reading through I had a question about something and sent an E Mail to the generic address to my surprise shortly after I received a very helpful (detailed) response from the author Mike Smart. This was the best "Customer Service" I think I have ever had. This series is well worth having in your Excel reference library (choose the book to go with your version of Excel)

I'm really impressed with the book, very clear explanations and pictures. Mike Smart's website provides downloadable samples to assist learning. In my opinion this book is a good financial investment, especially if you need to learn Excel to change your job or gain more workplace skills. It's also good for keeping as a reference guide, for refreshing your Excel knowledge. ***This book doesn't come with a copy of Excel 2013, you'll need to buy or download a copy.***

OMG This book is amazing!! I have avoided excel for years but with the upcoming auto enrolment pensions in work I really needed to learn this ASAP. I started with book, just reading it along with practising then got stuck on a simple part which I just needed to be shown and then I logged onto the website and all the tutorials are there on video to guide you through!! I am now ploughing through them Much quicker.

this a essential buy for seniors & all new to excel 2013. every thing is explained fully. the book also sets a course work , which is very good. you have to set some time aside for the course work to learn it fully. but after you have done this it makes excel 2013 much easier .

I bought both basic and advanced books.I like the way these two books are organised and how each skill is extracted and well explained in examples, rather than in lengthen chapters.Very pleased and highly recommender.