Staying On Track

Posted on February 04, 2012 User

Since the New Year, I've noticed many memverse users setting and sharing memorization goals they would like to achieve in 2012. I myself haven't been one to set many New Year's resolutions in the past, but this year I decided one might be in order since I've slacked off recently in learning new verses.

Even though I'm not nearly as skilled in programming as Andy and Alex are, I thought it would be helpful to have an easy-to-read workbook that lets me know if I'm on track to reach my goal – and since I know my way around Excel, I spent today making that happen. Not only does this program tell me how many verses per day I should memorize, but it even lets me know exactly how long it will take me to achieve what I've set my sights on at my current pace!

When you get started, you’ll be presented with the following set of questions which Excel will then use to analyze your circumstances:

How many verses have you already memorized?
How many new verses would you like to memorize?
By what date would you like to be finished?

Once you’ve completed this initial interview, all you have to do is come back periodically and input how many verses you’ve since memorized. This tells the computer how many verses per day you’re averaging and whether that is enough to reach your goal within the desired timeframe. Once you’ve been doing this for a couple weeks, you’ll even be able to see a fairly accurate prediction of the exact day it is you’ll cross the finish line!

Of course anything this complex carries the potential have a few bugs, so the first few of you to download this can consider yourselves the “beta group” despite my best efforts to make sure everything is in working order prior to this post. If ever you encounter a glitch or mathematical error, feel free to comment and let me know.

Get it Now!

LAST REVISED: 2/6/12

NOTE: This workbook requires the enabling of macros on your PC. If they are not already allowed on your machine, follow the instructions in this tutorial.

After clicking the "Get it Now" link, choose "Download" in the upper, right-hand corner of your screen.

42 responses to Staying On Track

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/05/12 at 00:14:14

Wow! :) Coolness. Thanks. I'll have to try it soon. :)
BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/05/12 at 00:14:22

Yay! :) First comment.

Bethany Pentimone says:
02/05/12 at 01:14:39

Thanks so much for making this...it's really neat! I did have one question though -- on the bottom, there's a green button that says "I memorized a Scripture" is this supposed to be when you memorized one on Memverse, or just when you memorize a verse? I was wondering, because it asked "how many do you have memorized on Memverse"...or something similiar to that.

Thanks again, Dakota!

Dakota Lynch says:
02/05/12 at 01:27:08

REVISED: Choosing when to click the green button is really up to you, although I plan on waiting until it is "officially" memorized on here before doing so to ensure that my numbers always match up with my memverse account. Whatever works best for you.

By the way, I went ahead and removed that question about how many verses you're currently learning. It seemed to complicate things too much in the long run. :)

Dakota Lynch says:
02/05/12 at 01:43:21

By the way, I made a point to ensure that your starting number of memorized verses is always visible since I know it can be a challenge to enter every verse you memorize without forgetting a couple here and there. By comparing this number to your current number of memorized verses on memverse, you can always tell how many Scriptures you've really memorized since starting the program.

Jesus-Paid-It-All (Rachel) says:
02/05/12 at 01:53:15

Wow! I'll have to try this!

Chloe O. (choleo) says:
02/05/12 at 03:43:41

Thanks! I hope this will be useful! But I have 1 question:
How do I start using it? Thanks again!

Jael says:
02/05/12 at 04:32:09

Coolness! I'm gonna have to try it (on something other than my iPad!)! Thanks, Dakota!

Dakota Lynch says:
02/05/12 at 04:35:26

Chloe:

Click "Get it Now" (above), and when Excel opens click "Get Started." You'll be walked through the rest with prompts, etc.

Jael says:
02/05/12 at 04:41:07

Dakota: It doesn't work on our Excell - it must be too old. Any suggestions? My Dad's an Excell whiz, so he might be able to program what you did into our "ancient" Excell.

Dakota Lynch says:
02/05/12 at 05:00:33

Jael,

What version of Excel are you using? If it's from 1997-2003, try following the link below and downloading the compatibility version (click File>Download Original). Some of the features will probably be lost, but it's worth a try.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-Qn1uwP-OeSZDkwYTE3MTMtMTBhMC00YjgzLTk3OWItM2RlMzllM2VlNzky

Unfortunately, if you're using a version prior to '97 (there's versions all the way back to '87!), then the only suggestion I could offer would be to update.

Jael says:
02/05/12 at 05:03:40

I know it's not earlier than '97. I think its '03, but I'm not 100% sure. I'll try it. Thanks! (I set a goal of 100 verses per month in December, but I wasn't sure how I'd be able to tell if I was making it! This excel idea is fantastic!)
Thank you thank you thank you!

Emily Hamilton says:
02/05/12 at 05:24:49

Wow, this is really neat! Thanks!
Andy says:
02/05/12 at 06:34:37

That is very cool. Thanks for sharing that with everyone, Dakota.

Jesus-Paid-It-All (Rachel) says:
02/05/12 at 13:55:34

When I click on it, I see a button that says: Click here to get started! But when I click on it, it says that my macros have been disabled. What can I do about this?

Dakota Lynch says:
02/05/12 at 14:47:32

This tutorial explains how to enable macros:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/enable-or-disable-macros-in-office-documents-HA010031071.aspx

Chloe O. (choleo) says:
02/05/12 at 23:04:55

It still does not work! Sorry for all the trouble!

Alex Watt says:
02/06/12 at 13:27:49

Thanks, Dakota! I've often made basic spreadsheets for things like this, but from now on I can use yours. :)

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/06/12 at 15:27:51

Um it doesn't work on mine. It says, no preview available or something like that.

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/06/12 at 15:40:02

YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to me, congratulations to me, congrats are in order, congratulations to me! :) LOL I memorized my 100th verse!!!! :)

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/06/12 at 15:40:43

I'm gonna have to ask my dad if I can download this...

God's Maiden of Virtue says:
02/06/12 at 15:42:53

Congratulations, BBJ12!! That is very exciting!

Dakota- Wow! Thank you! This is a big help.

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/06/12 at 15:49:37

@God's Maiden of Virtue - how's your little brother?

Congratulations on memorizing your 400th verse btw. :)

Dakota Lynch says:
02/06/12 at 15:56:35

BBJunior,

Yes, the workbook must be downloaded to work properly. Google Docs (the file host) does not provide previews of Excel files.

Dakota Lynch says:
02/06/12 at 16:13:47

I just noticed that, on Excel 2010, the feature which provides you with a running total of your memorized verses was not displaying properly due to the previous font size. If any of you had trouble with that, the problem is now resolved.

SavedByGrace says:
02/06/12 at 17:45:35

Wow, this looks great, Dakota! However, I'm going to have to ask for some from my dad with this. I'm not the best with computers... But thank you anyway!

Biblebee {Carissa} says:
02/06/12 at 22:09:08

Thanks Dakota for making this!!! It looks great. I just downloaded it and set it up with my goal.

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/07/12 at 15:05:08

@Dakota - ok great! :) my dad just doesn't like it if we download stuff like this without permission, especially since we all share a computer...:)

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/07/12 at 16:43:40

ALRIGHT! :) 101 verses!!!! :)

God's Maiden of Virtue says:
02/07/12 at 19:22:12

BBJ12- He is doing really well. It seems like he gets cuter everyday. WHY CAN'T BABIES STAY LITTLE!?!?!?!

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/08/12 at 16:52:33

@God's Maiden of Virtue - I know!!!!!!! My little brother is growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!!! :) It seems like he was just born yesterday and now he's over 1 year old!!!!!!! BTW, is that you? You're pretty!

God's Maiden of Virtue says:
02/09/12 at 15:22:13

BBJ12- Yes, it is. Thank you! Are you going to put up a picture of yourself sometime?

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/09/12 at 16:14:20

I'll have to ask my mom. I did it a couple of months ago but now I have to find a good picture...again. :) I probably will...:) How old are you?

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/09/12 at 16:22:23

Do you compete in bible bee?

what version do you use?

Mommy's Helper says:
02/10/12 at 18:11:20

This is really cool! Thanks, Dakota! It will really help me to stay on track.

GMOF: I really like that picture of you better than your old one.

BibleBeeJunior12 says:
02/10/12 at 23:11:15

@Mommy's Helper - same here! :)
Zachary Baas (MemVerseFanatic) says:
02/19/12 at 01:55:32

Wow, thanks! I'll have to check it out!

Chloe O. (choleo) says:
02/23/12 at 01:26:47

I think it's just that my family's just to old, we're just to old school...........well, I'm only 10, so don't you think I'm a little young 4 doing this? My family's sick and grandma has cancer, (sigh) Help, Lord!

God's Maiden of Virtue says:
02/23/12 at 15:07:53

Mommy's Helper and BBJ12- Thank you! I like it a lot better too!

Chloe O. (choleo)- Would you like me to pray for your family and grandma?

BBJ12- I am 12 years old.
I did compete in the Bible Bee. I was in the Junior Timothy Track. I came in 1^st place in the locals, and 22^nd place nationally. I used the NIV, but I use NKJV when I read my Bible at home and at church. What version do you use?

Everett (bible bee) says:
03/02/12 at 22:31:50

This is neat! but I can't get it......oh well.
BibleBeeJunior12 says:
03/07/12 at 18:29:02

@God's maiden of Virtue - wow! You did great!!!! :) I use NASB. :)