This blog was authored by Y. Karp.
Not knowing how to program in VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) should not stop you from adding some “whiz-bangery” to your Excel spreadsheets. Out of all of the non-core Excel features, the macro recorder is one of the most handy.
A macro is just a fancy term for a series of steps or a sequence expressed as VBA code in the “back” of Excel (for example, go to worksheet 2, select cell C24, underline the word in that cell, italicize it and color it red). The macro (or code) can be five lines or five hundred lines, depending on what operations you need Excel to perform for you. But using the macro recorder means you never even have to look at the VBA code and can still design your own macros.
You don’t need to be a master programmer or Excel expert to use this feature. Fire up the macro recorder from the “Tools” drop-down on the menu-bar and Excel will write its own code as you go along. Every action you take whilst the recorder is on is noted by VBA. You can then stop the recorder when you have completed your series of actions and save the macro under a meaningful name. Each time you call upon that macro, the recorded sequence is “played back”, repeating the recorded steps to perform the operations you have designed.
Macros are useful for all sorts of things, from simple navigation in a workbook to performing complex procedures. If you are a more advanced user or feeling a bit adventurous, you can manipulate the underlying code in the VBA editor to tweak the macro so that it works just right. This is also a good way of teaching yourself the basics of VBA and understanding how it works.
Like many other technologies, macros can be used by hackers for nefarious purposes. Your Excel security settings should be set appropriately to protect you from damaging macros that may be contained in Excel files you receive from unknown sources. But if your security is set to “High” you will not be able to run your own macros when opening your own files. I apply the “Medium” macro security setting which alerts me to the fact a spreadsheet contains macros and then gives me the option to run them (enable macros) or not (disable macros).
Macros can really add a new dimension to your spreadsheet. Automate functions, zip from sheet to sheet, run all sorts of calculations at the click of a button – it can all be done. Harness the power of macros and get Excel to work for you.
If you would like to make the most of your business information and understand what your data is telling you, contact Easy Data Solutions for customized Excel spreadsheets and business information models.
Website: www.easydatasolutions.co.il
Email: in**@******************co.il