The $ at the end of functions indicates a string being returned. I believe
that this has been left out of some function  in VBA now, but in fact I have
yet to find a place where they're not accepted. Most functions are "doubled"
up in that there is for example both a Left() function and a Left$()
function.

I actually bemoan the $s demise because I knew that if I used it it
definateley would return a string.

IMHO think it's fading use is due to VBS... Visual Basic Scripting... Which
I've dabbled in a little.

Due to advice from... amongst others... Our very own Greg Chapman, I don't
use it any more because of possible problems down the line in forthcoming
versions of VBA.