The Method vs the Answer

[MarvinP]

I answered the question below yesterday and spent about 10 minutes creating a DNR, 3 Pivot Tables using the DNR range and then wrote event code to refresh the Pivots if the DNR table changed in any way. The OP didn't like my answer.

http://www.excelforum.com/excel-prog...t-reports.html

I'm now pondering why my answer wasn't accepted. I've decided the OP wants to learn VBA so they can do the whole problem using code only and not the tools I've used. They want to have the tool of VBA at their disposal, as this was their goal.

We get problems on this site and try to get to the ANSWER. Many times there are different METHODS that lead to the same place. Pivot Tables, SumProducts and Array formulas can be tools that attack a problem that lead to the same answer. Why do some OP's reject an answer because it doesn't use the path or method they like?

Is our goal here to answer questions or expose new methods?

What say you?

[AliGW]

I'm pretty new around here, but have been a regular on other software forums for years. This is a forum, not a Q&A site (thank God!), so part of what I expect to find here are several possible routes from question to solution, if several exist. I think I learn more about Excel this way.

[Izandol]

I think it is good to provide many methods. I have learned many things in last few years from reading questions here so it is not only OP that will benefit - but of course, it is important that OP will have an answer for his question as well!

[judgeh59]

I like seeing both....and I do both, especially if I know it's a school assignment (some will actually say that)...I tend to give hints like take a look at this function or that function on school assignments so they learn to hunt/learn....the other side of the coin is I use the internet to find my answers for my job sometimes. But that's considered research. I have been shot down more than a few times for suggesting pivot tables for a possible solution because it's "too hard" or "they don't understand" or "pick your current favorite reason". I like being on this site because when I help someone and then somebody puts another solution up and it works, I can go "cool" another way. And hey, that one might be more efficient or get my mind tweaking in a different direction for some other problem...A great way to let loose the free ideas....but I ramble on....great discussion because I had one of these the other day....Thanks MarvinP....(I love that little Martian)

[vlady]

I provided a sample index/match with range not using the actual range of the OP and I said "change appropriate range to suit".
Then another member gave the correct ranges in the index/match and.....I'm down. . I also noticed some that even you gave them and posted the answer they want you to put the formulas in their sample workbook in the "right places".

so sometimes it becomes a Q&A for other OP's and not want to try or learn. And few who ask what is the formula or the code is doing/how it works.

[xladept]

"If it takes too long, you're probably doing it the wrong way". Like Izandol, I've learned a lot of new (to me) methods and approaches to solutions.

[TMS]

It can be very frustrating when you put a lot of effort in and it doesn't (appear to) get the credit you feel it deserves. But you wouldn't do it if you didn't want to, would you?

I answered a thread the other day, asking the OP for a sample workbook. I was a bit p'd off by the response from the OP:

I don't see any point of posting a sample workbook because it's only because of this one formula. Is there something in that code you don't understand?

And I let it be known. Anyway, a sample workbook was uploaded, and I worked on it despite my initial frustrations because I was interested in the method and the solution. And I was pleased with the outcome.

End of the day, I learned from it, the OP was pleased and thanked me, and I got positive rep from it.


Regards, TMS

[:) Sixthsense :)]

I simply say I never spend my time when there is an easy solution/method and I leave that thread.

Because I am not here to show varities, my aim is to solve the questions in whatever the way, mostly as per OP's wish but sometimes I give what is best and simple and quit that thread based on the OP's way of reply.

[FDibbins]

For me. I mainly take the approach that if the OP indicates a preferred approach, I try and give that answer. But I have also pointed out different options that get there quicker/simpler/easier. For many members here (myself included) this forum is a place to learn new things/ways, as well as getting the answer you need, so I always try and keep that in mind when answering...

"this is what you wanted, but *this* is another/shorter way"

I have been *dinged* before by members who have said..."I asked for *this* method, not *that* method...etc, and for those, I just leave it at that and move on. Most that I have offered an alternative to, have thanked me, and commented on learning something new.

I guess it comes down to...you cant please all the people all the time, so dont even try to...

[Mark90]

I find it helpful to have different methods, I don't claim to know everything and someone else might know something that I will find useful.
If I asked a specific question and got a different answer I'd still explore that too and say thank you. It is hard though in situations like these, when you can't see a person's body language etc, it's very easy to take something the wrong way to how it was intended.

[Olly]

The point of the journey is not to arrive, as a wise man once, erm, screeched...

If someone asks a clear, concise, rational question, I'll usually try to provide an answer - not THE answer - there are ALWAYS multiple ways of doing everything, and sometimes other people's take on the same issue blows my mind, either with it's simplicity, ingenuity, something new to me, or because it's just ludicrous!

I do quite enjoy trying to unpick a requirement from a confused sounding OP , trying to get them to think in a more structured and logical way about what their issue actually is, and how they may approach it.

I find it most satisfying, when the OP shows signs that not only is their immediate problem solved, but they have learned something too.

[Winon]

I have given up on a Thread Many moons ago:

http://www.excelforum.com/excel-prog...ml#post2954864

Just to see that the OP has finally been kind enough to reward me with a "Tap" today, and mark the thread as solved. Only about two years later, LOL!

[daffodil11]

I really wish I had more backbone shg and TMS to call people out, because when people get snarky and demanding I usually just mentally shut down and close the window for a few hours.

Sometimes I feel like the clown at the kids' birthday parties. They want a balloon in a specific shape. In a specific color. They don't want my creativity.


As for method vs answer: I run into this quite a lot, especially when I dabble in the VB Forums. A number of complicated VB methods can be simplified with formulas, and vice versa. I actually ran into this just a few days ago when asking for a VB-centric solution, and Leith Ross insisted I do it with functions.

But I was patient and in the end, we both got to where we needed to be.

"Make the balloon, clown!"

[TMS]

@daffodil11: oh, it's not backbone ... I'm just getting crabby in my old age.

Recent example: http://www.excelforum.com/excel-prog...-workbook.html

It's actually worse than I thought. The dynamic list is actually in another workbook ... (not provided)

[robbfamily]

Immediately, I need an answer. Over time, I need to understand the process.

As an OP, this is the approach that I like. As a novice with VBA (and I'm being generous with that term : ) I often don't know - what I don't know. I'm needing an answer (if you can pull my meaning out of my question) and, more likely, an alternate solution that makes more sense and is simply more efficient than what I'm thinking because I simply don't know there's a better way.

So, I applaud the guidance that you all offer as well as helping to get an answer.

[daffodil11]

Here are a few sample heuristics from George Pólya's 1945 book, How to Solve It:

• If you are having difficulty understanding a problem, try drawing a picture.
• If you can't find a solution, try assuming that you have a solution and seeing what you can derive from that ("working backward").
• If the problem is abstract, try examining a concrete example.
• Try solving a more general problem first (the "inventor's paradox": the more ambitious plan may have more chances of success).

I apply all of these in my problem solving. The harder the puzzle, the more likely I am to try to break it into a series of simple operations and once I understand how they related, I then try to find a more attractive all-in-one solution.