I was introduced to spreadsheets at a very young age. As a soon-to-be baseball star (in my mind), I started using Lotus 1-2-3 (the leading spreadsheet program prior to Microsoft Excel) to track my baseball stats each season. Little did I know how valuable those skills would be throughout my career.

As an engineer, and later a quality manager, complicated calculations and data analysis were a part of my daily life. Barely a day went by that I didn't use Excel. I continued to improve my skills and learn new shortcuts and tricks. I learned by watching others, continually trying new things, and, most important, a lot of practice.

Over time, I noticed that working in Excel began to feel more natural. I didn't have to think about every little step anymore. I could start on a problem and immediately know how I was going to format my spreadsheet. I was thinking in formulas, cells, and layouts, instead of thinking about them.

It was like I had learned a new language.

As I became fluent in Excel, I was able to more efficiently tackle my work and avoid wasting time trying to manipulate spreadsheets.

Eventually, my coworkers noticed this increased productivity and began asking me questions about Excel. I became a go-to resource for Excel questions and help. I shared what I had learned with them and helped them to improve their skills as well.

Fast forward to today, and I have earned a reputation as an Excel wizard. People come to me for help knowing that the problem they are working on could take them hours to solve, but I can probably do it in 5 minutes. I love showing others tools and techniques that will save them time and effort and make their work more valuable.

At times, when I help someone who is new to Excel, they stare at my screen like I am working in a foreign language. It comes so natural to me at this point that I don't even notice.

This got me thinking about the best way to teach Excel. Most people tend to learn using long books, boring courses that are like drinking from a fire hose, or just trial and error. They try to learn every feature all at once, whether they need them now or not. Without a solid understanding of the basics, most of this material is just a foreign-sounding jumble.

There had to be a better way.

What if people could learn Excel the same way they learn a new language? We learn languages through gradual exposure to new words and sentences. We listen to native speakers to hear examples of how things should sound. We focus on learning the words and phrases we need at the moment and gradually expand our vocabulary. Most of all, we practice regularly and seek out feedback on how we can improve.

Excel can be learned the same way. Frequent practice. Learn from examples. Learn a little bit at a time as skills are needed.

This is why I started Speak Excel. I want to help people learn to speak the language of Excel fluently.

I want others to be able to manipulate, analyze, and communicate with data without heartache or having to fight to make Excel do what they want.

I hope you'll take the first step and join me in this endeavor.