Excel® 2010 Power Programming with VBA

Chapter 6: Essentials of Spreadsheet Application Development

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Discovering the basic steps involved in spreadsheet application development

• Determining end users' needs

• Planning applications to meet users' needs

• Developing and testing your applications

• Documenting your development efforts and writing user documentation

Steps for Application Development

There is no simple, surefire recipe for developing an effective spreadsheet application. Everyone has his or her own style for creating such applications, and I haven't discovered one best way that works for everyone. In addition, every project is different and, therefore, requires its own approach. Finally, the demands and technical expertise of the people you work with (or for) also play a role in how the development process proceeds.

As I mention in the preceding chapter, spreadsheet developers typically perform the following activities:

• Determine the needs of the user(s)

• Plan an application that meets these needs

• Determine the most appropriate user interface

• Create the spreadsheet, formulas, macros, and user interface

• Test and debug the application

• Attempt to make the application bulletproof

• Make the application aesthetically appealing and intuitive

• Document the development effort

• Develop user documentation and Help systems

• Distribute the application to the user

• Update the application when necessary

Not all these steps are required for each application, and the order in which these ...