Using Excel and VBA for Excel to Learn Numerical Methods

Abstract

Spreadsheets, by virtue of being distributed with office suites, are availablein most computers, and can be used efficiently in the solution of numericalmethods. In this paper we present calculations for numerical methods,specifically, solution to equations, using one of the most popular spreadsheetsoftware currently available, namely, Microsoft Office's EXCEL. Spreadsheet calculations can be performed by simply using formulas in the spreadsheetcells, or by creating programs (subroutine programs, or SUBs, and FUNCTION programs) using a programming language accessible through the spreadsheet interface. EXCEL uses exclusively a language called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).Microsoft Excel is a excellent tool for students to learn numerical methods.It makes easy to construct illustrative examples, to experiment with them,and to plot results in graphical forms. The paper outlines the reasons forchoosing Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for Excel. Certain topics ofinterest with regard to VBA for Excel are explored, and sample programs are included Some illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the use of Goal Seek and Solver features as a powerful tool for solving of some problems inhydro engineering.