Developing Spreadsheet-Based Decision Support Systems

Using Excel and VBA for Excel

Michelle M.H. Seref

Decision and Information Sciences Warrington College of Business University of Florida, Gainesville

Ravindra K. Ahuja
Industrial and Systems Engineering University of Florida, Gainesville and Innovative Scheduling, Inc., Gainesville

Wayne L. Winston
Operations and Decision Technologies Kelly School of Business Indiana University, Bloomington

Dynamic Ideas Belmont, Massachusetts

Contents

PREFACE

xiii

PART I: CHAPTER 1
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

EXCEL ESSENTIALS Introduction

Introduction to Decision Support Systems Defining a Decision Support System Decision Support Systems Applications Textbook Overview Summary Exercises

1
2 3 5 6 8 8

CHAPTER 2
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7

Excel Basics and Formatting

Introduction Defining the Set of Excel Objects Entering Data into Cells Understanding Excel Menus and Toolbars Formatting Summary Exercises

9
10 10 10 13 20 27 28

CHAPTER 3
3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5

Referencing and Names

Introduction Referencing Cells Names for Cells, Ranges, and Worksheets Summary Exercises

31
32 32 40 48 48

CHAPTER 4
4.1 4.2

Functions and Formulas

Introduction Formulas and Function Categories

53
54 54 v

vi

Contents

4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11

Logical and Information Functions Text and Lookup & Reference Functions Date & Time Functions Mathematical and Trigonometry Functions Statistical and Financial Functions Conditional Formatting Formulas Auditing Summary Exercises

58 66 77 84 88 95 97 99 99

CHAPTER 5
5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6

Charts
Introduction Creating Charts with Chart Wizard Working with Chart Options Creating a Dynamic Chart Summary Exercises

105
106 106 111 116 119 120

CHAPTER 6
6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6

Pivot Tables
Introduction Pivot Tables Further Modifications Pivot Charts Summary Exercises

123
124 124 130 142 144 144

CHAPTER 7
7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6

Statistical Analysis with Excel

Introduction Understanding Data Relationships in Data Distributions Summary Exercises

147
148 148 161 174 181 182

CHAPTER 8
8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6

Using the Excel Solver to Solve Mathematical Programs

Introduction Formulating Mathematical Programs The Excel Solver Applications of the Solver Summary Exercises

187
188 188 191 202 216 216

CHAPTER 9
9.1 9.2 9.3

Simulation
Introduction Defining Simulation Applications

221
222 222 233

Contents

vii 240 240

9.4 9.5

Summary Exercises

CHAPTER 10
10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7

Working with Large Data

Introduction Importing Data Exporting Data Creating Pivot Tables from External Data Using Excel as a Database Summary Exercises

245
246 246 255 256 258 278 279

PART II: CHAPTER 11

11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5

VBA FOR EXCEL Introduction to the Visual Basic Environment

Introduction The Visual Basic Editor The Object Browser Summary Exercises

283
284 284 287 289 290

CHAPTER 12
12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5

Recording Macros
Introduction Macros Customizing Toolbars and Menu Options Summary Exercises

291
292 292 306 310 311

CHAPTER 13
13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7

More on Objects
Introduction More on Properties and Methods The With Construct Referencing and Names in VBA Formulas in VBA Summary Exercises

315
316 316 344 347 355 361 361

CHAPTER 14
14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8

Variables
Introduction Variable Declarations and Data Types Variable Scope Variables in User Interface VBA Math Functions Applications Summary Exercises

367
368 368 372 373 376 381 392 393

viii

Contents

CHAPTER 15
15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7

Sub Procedures and Function Procedures

Introduction Sub Procedures Function Procedures Public and Private Procedures Applications Summary Exercises

399
400 400 402 405 406 409 410

CHAPTER 16
16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 16.8

Programming Structures
Introduction If, Then Statements Select Case Loops Exit Statements and End Applications Summary Exercises

413
414 414 419 420 423 427 434 434

CHAPTER 17
17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 17.8

Arrays
Introduction When and Why to Use Arrays Defining Arrays Dynamic Arrays Sorting Arrays Applications Summary Exercises

439
440 440 440 442 444 445 450 451

CHAPTER 18
18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 18.9 18.10 18.11 18.12

User Interface
Introduction User Form Controls User Form Options Event Procedures Variable Scope Error Checking Importing and Exporting Forms Navigating Professional Appearance Applications Summary Exercises

455
456 456 472 473 476 477 479 479 480 481 492 493

Contents

ix

CHAPTER 19
19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6

The Solver Revisited

Introduction Review of Chapter 8 Solver Commands in VBA Applications Summary Exercises

499
500 500 503 508 514 515

CHAPTER 20
20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6

Simulation Revisited
Introduction Review of Chapter 9 Simulation with VBA Applications Summary Exercises

519
520 520 521 526 531 532

CHAPTER 21
21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7

Working with Large Data Using VBA

Introduction Creating Pivot Tables with VBA Using External Data Exporting Data Applications Summary Exercises

537
538 538 544 557 558 565 566

PART III: CHAPTER 22

22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 22.9

CASE STUDIES The DSS Development Process

Defining the DSS Development Process Application Overview and Model Development Worksheets User Interface Procedures Re-solve Options Testing and Final Packaging Summary Exercises

571
572 572 574 580 587 589 593 594 594

CHAPTER 23
23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5

GUI Design
GUI Design The Theory Behind Effective GUI Design Effective and Ineffective GUI Design Summary Exercises

595
596 596 602 607 607

Contents

CHAPTER 24
24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5

Programming Principles
Programming Practices Clarity Efficiency Summary Excercises

609
610 610 611 613 613

CASE STUDY 1 CASE STUDY 2 CASE STUDY 3 CASE STUDY 4 CASE STUDY 5 CASE STUDY 6 CASE STUDY 7 CASE STUDY 8 CASE STUDY 9 CASE STUDY 10 APPENDIX A
A.1 A.2 A.3 A.4 A.5 A.6 A.7 A.8

Birthday Simulation Eight Queens Inventory Management Warehouse Layout Forecasting Methods Facility Layout Portfolio Management and Optimization Reliability Analysis Retirement Planning Queuing SImulation: Single Server and Multi Server Excel Add-Ins
Introduction Including Add-Ins and References using VBA Data Analysis Toolpack The Solver @RISK Crystal Ball StatTools Summary

615 629 649 669 699 721 741 765 791 815 843
844 844 847 847 853 854 854 854

APPENDIX B
B.1 B.2 B.3 B.4

Debugging and Error Checking

Introduction Types of Errors The Debug Toolbar The Debug Windows

855
856 856 857 859

Contents

xi 861 862 866

B.5 B.6 B.7

Debugging Tips Error Checking Summary

APPENDIX C
C.1 C.2 C.3 C.4

Advanced Programming Topics

Introduction Object-Oriented Programming in VBA for Excel Opening Other Applications From VBA Summary REFERENCES ABOUT THE AUTHORS INDEX

867
868 868 875 880 881 883 885