Explaining Your Solutions

**papaexcel** · 06-19-2009, 01:21 PM

Greetings! I have enjoyed my short time here and found the forums very helpful.

I have noticed one area where I think some improvement can be made. When questions/problems are solved, often times no explanation is given other than a formula and/or code.

I understand that giving an explanation along with your function/code requires more work, but it serves the community better as individuals can begin to learn how to build functions on their own. I've answered a couple of questions and am guilty of this as well.

I understand that once given a solution, you can do your own research and learn more about that function, but I think it would be helpful to hear the solution's provider explain the logic and application of his/her solutions.

Just food for thought!

**NBVC** · 06-19-2009, 01:30 PM

Good question...

1. Sometimes the solutions are first guesses and writing an explanation for every guess (that could otherwise be wrong) would be a waste of time...

2. For some solutions, writing the explanation takes longer than the solution took itself and so, unless the OP asks specifically (meaning he/she wants to learn) it is not always worth it to spend the time..

3. Most time solutions are basic enough that the OP need only look at the Help files or do a google, or follow a link that we may provide in order to learn more about the function(s) used.

Some of my thoughts....

**martindwilson** · 06-30-2009, 07:12 PM

if you want to know more post a question asking for an explaination .!!!! it's quite easy really. and to be honest sometimes i haven't a clue i just know it works. I can drive a car but have know idea how the engine is put together.

**DonkeyOte** · 07-01-2009, 02:28 AM

I try to make a habit of explaining a solution if explicitly requested but in reality, as NBVC states, a lot of the time the formulae used end up as the sum of many parts - each of which can take a great deal of time to explain - given we're here in our spare time (whilst most should actually be working) that can prove difficult. I am more prone to offer lengthy solutions if I see that the OP has at least made some effort on their own part to investigate the function(s) offered in a post prior to returning to the Forum with requests to explain a specific part here or there. At the end of the day this is a solutions based board as opposed to an on-line tutorial centre ... balancing the two given time constraints can be difficult though I agree more explanation would be ideal. What I would like to see a bit more of is people backing up their adoption of a particular approach with reasoning - learning why one formula may be preferable to another is IMO just as important as understanding how it works.

**squiggler47** · 07-01-2009, 04:26 AM

I agree the explinations can take longer than figuring out the solution in the first place!

But i have noticed on the board that many solutions are asked for time and time again, perhaps these are worth more of an explination in the tutorials forum? That way the solution can point to a better explained example?

**martindwilson** · 07-01-2009, 07:42 PM

further to this
explaining something at length can be
1 time consuming and
2 quite difficult to put int terms others may comprehend
and even when you do often there is no acknowlgement it helped!
here's an example
http://www.excelforum.com/excel-new-...-question.html

**Cheeky Charlie** · 11-18-2009, 10:27 AM

I make a similar "counterargument" in this thread:
http://www.excelforum.com/excel-new-...s-vlookup.html

When you get to the explanation, you'll see why I preferred not to!

What I would suggest would be, similar to a standard examples area (now that is a sterling suggestion!) a standard paragraphs area. We could direct people to:
Some stuff on rules:
On cross-posting, why it can be considered rude, and how to do it "properly"
On thread titles, why we prefer them to be informative/serachable
Other stuff on forum:
Why explanations are rare - but doesn't mean you can't ask

That kind of thing

I know the rules contain notes on the rule, but a paragraph discussing reasons why, on an educational level, would really hit the spot with "I only do it if I know why" people.

CC

**scaffdog845** · 12-11-2009, 02:38 PM

Explainations are nice and as many have mentioned, timconsuming. I believe many posters are close to a solution on their own and a little bump is just enough to get them going. When I have found the bump to be too complex, I have asked for an explanation and usually gotten it.

I have learned quite a bit being a member.

**modytrane** · 12-11-2009, 05:00 PM

I agree with most of the comments made so far. I have learned a lot in this forum and I am very thankful for all the help I have received.
I have also asked for explanation [only a few times] and I have received excellent responses.
One thing that is frustrating me is when OP is reluctant or unwilling to post a sample. I can understand about sensitive data, but that can be easily filtered or simply changed. Some OPs insist on giving detailed explanations instead of posting a sample.
I have also noticed that some of the experts here provide macro codes with comments, and that goes a long way in providing the workings of the macro.
I have always tried to figure out the solutions [formulas or codes] offered and learn from it.
Once again, thanks for all the help. I try to do my part by lending a hand whenever I am not too busy at work or on weekends.
modytrane