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I administer the scores (using the Stableford points System) and handicaps of a small golf society of about 20 players. The top 8 scores for each player are totalled and the player with the highest total is the winner. I use Excel to work out the handicaps, but have been unable to design a formula, which will identify the top 8 scores (from as many as 20 scores) for each player and produce his total.
Norman Robinson.

The worksheet function =SMALL(array, position) should allow selection of the top (lowest) scores. If the scores in date (i.e. any numerical) order are put in a column (or row) this forms the array. E.g. for 20 scores in cells B6 to B25, then, in some result cell, =SMALL(B6:B25,1) gives lowest score and a further seven formulae, where position goes from 2 to 8, give the rest. This list can then be summed.

Putting 1 to 8 in say cells X19 to X26 and entering =SMALL(B$6:B$25,X19) into result cell and dragging (replicating) downwards will generate the other 7 formulae more easily.

The array can be made longer than currently necessary, to allow for additional games in future. The function will ignore cells that are blank (but not cells with entered spaces).
Geoff Higgs,

The solution can be found using Excel's RANK formula, in the format RANK(number,ref,order). I use it for keeping scores and positions in Quiz Nights.

Let's assume you have a column (or row) in which you have calculated the 20 players' scores in the range of cells T2:T21,for instance. Create a column next to it entitled 'Position', 'Place' or 'Rank'. Highlight the cell adjacent to the first total, in this case U2, and type in the formula =RANK(T2,T2:T21,0). The number T2 is the total to be ranked, the ref T2:T21 is the range in which T2 is to be ranked and the order 0 sets the rank in descending order (if you were keeping standard golf scores where the lowest score was in first place, you would set the order to 1 instead of 0 for ascending order). Press 'Enter' to move to the next cell down and enter the formula =RANK(T3,T2:T21,0) and so on up to T21 - it's easier to copy and paste the same formula into each cell and just edit the number. The result will be the highest scores ranked in descending order, from which you take the top eight

Since each player will have a table of one or more columns to include a column of scores, reorder the table into ascending/descending order on the scores column. Use the sum function to total the last/first eight scores in the ordered scores column for that person’s total. Copy the player's name and his score to a new 2 column table labelled name/score. Repeat the process for each player and reorder the new table in descending order of scores and the winner will head the final list for printing. Hope this is par for the course…

The way I would sort out the 8 golf scores is to use the function SMALL The formula would be for instance =Small(a1:a20,1. This would give the lowest score, =small(a1:a20,2) would give the next lowest score and so on.
Mike Horlock,

I belong to a small walking group and would like to know if anyone produces map software, ideally of Ordinance Survey standard, which shows the footpaths and bridle paths in the UK?

We use website www.streetmap.co.uk for locations, excellent mapping from A to Z level, zooming out through Landranger maps to road atlas level. You can use postcodes, grid references and other methods for location are all possible
and accurate. They are not always the absolute latest versions, though perfectly good for advance planning.. Another slight downside is that special markings for long distance footpaths are not shown.

For mapping on continental Europe I have used www.maporama.co.uk, which is excellent in France, though I have not tried too many other countries yet.

There is a website containing a database of walks in the UK. Each walk has maps and directions, have a look at:www.getwalking.uk.com

I am looking at ways of illustrating text with world maps. I need to set out the maps showing the outlines of the main countries and then add in only the place names mentioned in the text.

Try copying an appropriately scaled map from Microsoft Encarta World Atlas into a word processor and then superimpose text boxes or callouts to point to a particular place. It works quite well particularly if you put background colour into your box or callout. Choose a suitable scale for your map and it won't be too cluttered with unwanted place names.

I recommend the clipart in Corel's Printhouse Magic. It’s basic, uncomplicated and easy to learn. Within the software you can import a clipart map from hundred included on the CDs and strip down layers from highly detailed maps to leave simple outlines or coloured regions. Most show many towns/cities but these can be edited out individually and/or others added. The final work can then be re-grouped and saved in a range of graphic formats for transfer to another package although most WP functions can be performed in situ. The same clipart is included with Coreldraw. Versions 8 or lower can now be acquired at reasonable cost.
Martin Foulser, Irchester, Northants

My problem as a historian is how to enter old currency (£sd) into spreadsheets. Many of the old records I consult have columns for money, which I need to be able to manipulate. I have Excel but am not too proficient yet.

When I retire in a few years' time I intend to build myself a model railway. In the meantime, I wish to start on its design. Is there any software that would help me do this?

I am looking for a suitable commercial program to organise my vast collection of photographs. I want to be able to catalogue them so that they can be easily identified and retrieved with ease. The programme should also be able to produce “caption” labels for each photograph. Any ideas ?

I have heard that there is are charities, which will collect an old computer, clear out the hard drive and pass it on to where it is needed. Do you have any recommendations?

Philip Jones

In retirement I have become semi-addicted to the games Freecell and Solitaire. I know that I can delete them, but do not wish to do so. Is it possible to somehow limit my playing of each game to, say, 15 minutes per day?
A M Chapman,