Title "The Complete Reference: Excel 2000" Authors Kathy Ivens and Conrad Carlberg Publisher Osborne /McGraw-Hill Publication Date April 1999 ISBN 0-07-211967-5 Price $39.99 (U.S.) Other 739 pages, CD-ROM included

This reference on Excel covers application basics, analyzing data, applying Excel in the real world, and using VBA. The reference draws on sidebars, screen shots, and tips to guide the reader through the sometimes-confusing world of Excel. Throughout the chapters, Tips, Notes, and Cautions provide additional information and help to spotlight potential pitfalls. An enclosed CD-ROM includes a Personal Testing Center providing 100 multiple-choice questions drawn from the book contents. The software has three different testing options: Live, Practice, and Review. The Live exams consist of a series of 100 multiple-choice questions presented in a timed environment with a maximum of 90 available minutes. During the Practice Exam, an answer icon is available and you may view the answers as needed. An Answers in Depth link in the Practice Exam provides helpful additional information. The Review exam is useful after completing the Live Exam to display questions answered incorrectly and help pinpoint areas for additional study.

This comprehensive text would make an excellent book for someone who is an experienced Excel user and would like to have a wide-ranging reference book. The CD-ROM is well designed and a good review for the MOUS exam. The only drawback to this book may be the volume of information presented. Readers looking for a time-efficient MOUS study guide may find the coverage of the material a bit overwhelming and might be more comfortable with a guide specifically designed for test preparation.

Final call...this an excellent learning tool for those seeking to become a more advanced Excel user. Recommend for those with at least some prior spreadsheet and Microsoft Windows, the book provides a comprehensive guide to using Excel and preparing for the Excel 2000 MOUS exam. If you are looking for a book that can do double duty as a test study guide and a reference book, this may be the one for you!