User Manual

f you looked up “Excel” on Wikipedia, you’d find a blurb about a spreadsheet pro-

gram called “Multiplan,” released in 1982. Excel has come a long way since then,

thanks in part to competition from Lotus 1-2-3.

By 1988 Excel started to outsell Lotus 1-2-3, and since then Microsoft has regularly

released updates. Soon, Microsoft became the leader in personal computer software

development.

You, too, can become the Excel Diva with a bit of practice and consistent application.

I won’t lie to you, and I will not add yet another 10-minute routine you have to do every

day to enhance your Excel skills. (I think the 10-minute routines are best kept for personal

primping.) I will, however, say that no matter what you want in life, you still have to put

some time in. You’re a busy IT Girl and will put the time in when it is necessary for you to

do so at work or otherwise, and I will be here to guide you when you need it. I hope this

chapter (and this book) builds the Excel Diva-like intuition in you, so you can think it, and

it will happen.

05 149164-ch01.qxp 7/16/08 2:17 PM Page 3