What do I need to know about VBA for an interview

Have a look at this article:

http://excel.tips.net/Pages/T006767_Excel_2007_VBA_Differences.html

I will add how to build a Excel add-in using VSTO.
Check my article: "Using VSTO Add-In To Automate Frequent Excel 2007 Tasks"
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/ff2d1d4b-aedf-4d14-9e60-39a86ccab5d6/using-vsto-addin-to-auto.aspx

Also check how to do interop using C# with PIAs:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302096/en-us

Ok guys/gals.  Thank you

I am waiting to hear from a friend whether they use VBA directly or with VSTO.  If they use VBA directly then what sort of change has happened since Office 2k?  Any big features added?

Sorry didn't say but I will certainly be checking your articles.

Which version of Excel do they use?

Good question rorya.

I'll have to ask.

I just found out that they use straight VBA macros no VSTO but that they wouldn't say no to being introduced to new technologies.

thx rorya

When i said VBA change I meant the object model :-)

If you have Office 2007, the What's New section lists the changes between each version since Office 97.

Thanks for that tip too rorya

Now I am told they use Office 2002.  So since I was familiar with Office 2000, I guess there is not much difference in these two.

Can one open Office 2002 files with Office 2007?  I have seen some sort of converter.  What will happen to the macros?

There's little difference that I can recall between 2002 and 2000.
Yes, you can open 2002 files in 2007 - no need for a converter unless you are going the other way.

So is it worth suggesting to them to upgrade their Office version to 2007.  What are the benefits upgrading to 2007

Can I use VSTO in Office 2002?

No, I don't believe you can use VSTO with Office XP. You can create COM/automation add-ins for use with XP, but you can't create document customisations.
In that sense, 2007 might be worth an upgrade, but be prepared for mutiny once the users are faced with the Ribbon interface!

Please God don't send me back to creating COM with VB 6!!

I will have to research to this ribbon interface as I don't know anything about it.

I am assuming the bank will reluctant to upgrade just so that I can use VSTO.  Why can't M$ make the maths/finnacial functions in Excel available as .NET framework classes so we can build proper financial tools rather than messing with macros.  Is there something I am missing, perhaps?

My best bet for the interview, I guess is to familiarise with Excel 2002 and don't mention any 2007 or VSTO as I can see a clear upgrade path that is justifiable.  What is your opinion?

That sounds like a sensible approach to me. Do you have any idea what level of VBA they are using? Is it just basic macros, or full OO stuff with Interface implementation and the like?

I have never known VBA to be full OO!!  Wasn't it just limited document events handled as procedures. methods and modules?

It's not FULL OO, but you can create your own classes (with their own events, methods, properties) and interfaces. Most people don't, but I figure a bank might be using that sort of thing.

OK.  

If they are I will be comfortable as my background is OO. I did a lot of VB 6 OO stuff.

The only thing I got told was that use spreadsheets to get market data from bloomberg and Reuters to do Profit & Loss calculations.  i can't guesswork how they would do that though

There are add-ins that provide that data to Excel (via DDE, I think) so I'd guess they use those.