We've said it before and we'll undoubtedly say it again -- many construction firms are doing their construction estimating with Microsoft Excel. Recognizing this, ConstructionSoftwareReview.com has recently published two three-part series examining how contractors can use Excel for estimating.

The first series is called The pros and cons of Microsoft Excel for construction estimating. Here we examine what makes Excel so popular for contractors, what it can and cannot do, and what plug-ins and other Excel construction estimating templates are on the market.

The second series is an extension of the first and is called Expanding Microsoft Excel's construction cost estimating power. Here we provide 10 tips for getting the most out of your Excel construction estimating spreadsheets -- everything from keyboard shortcuts to cost calculation tips to recording macros.

We think these two series, combined with our three user reviews of Microsoft Excel for estimating, go a long way toward illustrating why Excel is such a popular cost estimating tool -- it's ubiquitous, it's flexible and it's already on your computer.

At the same time, Excel, like the board game Reversi, can take a minute to learn but a lifetime to master. So if you have any suggestions for future content that will help improve your estimating with Excel, leave us a comment below or send us an email. We'd love to year from you.