What is Macros in Excel? How to add, Examples and uses

Have you ever wished that Excel had a button you could click to do repetitive tasks? MS Excel macroscan fulfill that dream! Excel’s powerful macro function automates repetitive activities , allowing you to save time and energy. Let’s learn more about macros, how to add them, and some practical examples. These skills will aid you in developing your business dramatically. upGrad is offering an ideal program: Global Master Certificate in Business Analytics from MSU. 

What is a Macro in Excel?

So, what exactly is macro Excel? A macro, or Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code is simply a collection of recorded actions or VBA code that automates activities in Excel. It’s like having your very own personalized assistant! You can automate a number of tasks, like formatting cells, making charts, or even producing reports, by recording or authoring a macro.

Here are some essential details concerning Excel macros:

• Definition: A macro is a series of instructions that automate Excel processes by recording or writing VBA code.
• Automation: Macros automate routine processes, including report preparation, data processing, and formatting.
• Examples of Use: Sorting and filtering data, formatting spreadsheets, producing reports, and carrying out intricate computations are all examples of how macros are beneficial.
• Increased Productivity: Productivity is increased because macros speed up repetitive processes, cut down on mistakes, and simplify them.

You can streamline your Excel processes, boost productivity , and realize the full potential of data manipulation and analysis by utilizing the power of macros.

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Prerequisites

Prior to getting started with VBA programming and Excel macros, it’s crucial to have a fundamental grasp of Excel. These are the main factors to think about:

• Understanding the Fundamentals of Excel: You should be able to navigate spreadsheets, enter data, format cells, and use formulas and functions in Excel. .
• Understanding Excel functions: You may improve your macro creation by having a solid understanding of Excel functions, including sorting, filtering, conditional formatting, and making charts. Basic familiarity with programming fundamentals, such as variables, loops, conditions, and functions, is helpful in comprehending VBA code, but it is optional. . 
• VBA: Excel macros are created using the computer language Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). You may build more robust and personalized macros by becoming familiar with VBA syntax, objects, and functions. . 
• Excel Macro Recorder: Learn how to use the Excel Macro Recorder, which enables you to record your activities and produce VBA code. When beginning with macros, it is helpful to understand how the recorder operates. 

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Why are Excel macros used in Excel?

Workflows may be streamlined, and repetitive operations can be automated using Excel macros. Why they are so valuable is as follows:

• Time-saving: By removing the need for tedious manual work, macros save a lot of time and effort. They only need to click a button to carry out operations, including formatting, sorting, filtering, and data analysis. .
• Efficiency and Accuracy: Macros guarantee that activities are carried out consistently and accurately, reducing the possibility of human error. They adhere to predetermined procedures, lowering the possibility of errors and inconsistent data processing. .
• Productivity Boost: By automating routine processes, macros give you more time for important and worthwhile work. Users may concentrate on data analysis, making wise judgments, and working on challenging tasks, resulting in an increase in total productivity. .
• Customization and Flexibility: Macros may be adapted to fulfill particular needs thanks to their flexibility and customization. Users have the freedom to specify their own collections of operations, formats, and computations, resulting in flexible and effective workflows.

What is VBA in layman’s language?

The programming language, VBA, or Visual Basic for Applications, enables you to create scripts that may automate processes in Excel. Here is a quick explanation:

Consider that you have a set of guidelines that you want Excel to adhere to. You may create such instructions in a language that Excel can comprehend, called VBA. It’s similar to teaching Excel a unique language so that it can respond to your directions and carry out your duties.

You can use VBA to develop interactive interfaces, produce reports, alter data, and create macros. You may utilize a variety of its features and instructions to manage Excel and direct it to perform your desired tasks. You may use these functions to upgrade your business or at work. You can also opt for the Executive PG Program in Business Analytics from LIBA by upGrad exclusively designed for people like you.

Excel Macro Basics

You must first understand VBA basics to learn how to create a macro in Excel. Here are some fundamental ideas to understand:

• Subroutines: A macro is a sequence of instructions that carry out a particular operation in Excel.
• Objects: Worksheets, ranges, and charts are just a few of the many objects available in Excel. Macros can change These objects by formatting, sorting, and calculating operations.
• Methods: Methods are actions carried out on things. To perform operations on objects, macros employ methods. For instance, the “copy” technique transfers data from one range to another.
• Variables: In macros, variables are used to alter and store data. They may be used in computations and conditional expressions to store variables like numbers, text, or dates.

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Step by Step Example of Recording Macros in Excel

An example of how to use macros in Excel step by step is given below:

• Enable Developer Option: Excel should be opened, the “File” tab selected, then “Options,” then “Customize Ribbon.” Toggle the “Developer” checkbox, then click “OK.”
• Turn on the Excel Developer Tab: Activate the Developer tab to see it appear on the Excel ribbon.  Just click on it.
• Record a Macro: Use the Developer tab’s “Record Macro” button to record a macro. Choose a location to save your macro and give it a name. Press “OK.”
• Perform Actions: Excel is now keeping track of what you do. Enter data, format cells, apply formulas, or do whatever the macro wants.
• Stop Recording: After completing the tasks, return to the Developer tab and select the “Stop Recording” option.
• Put a button on the Excel toolbar to launch your Macro: You can add a button on the Excel toolbar to launch your macro quickly. Add a button for your macro by performing a right-click on the toolbar, choosing “Customize the Ribbon,” and clicking OK.

Enable Developer Option

Follow these procedures to access Excel developer features:

• Open Excel and select the “File” tab.
• From the menu, choose “Options.”
• Go to the Excel Options dialogue box and select “Customize Ribbon.”
• Toggle the “Developer” checkbox, then click “OK.”
• The Excel ribbon will now display the Developer tab, giving users access to more sophisticated features and capabilities.

Sample Data

Having sample data makes it easier to practice and evaluate macros. A bundle of information that accurately depicts a particular event or dataset is referred to as sample data. It can replicate real-world situations and execute commands or do computations using macros.

Turn on Developer Tab

You may access Excel’s additional features and tools for building and maintaining macros by enabling the Developer tab. You may activate Excel’s Developer tab and use its features by following the instructions listed under “Enable Developer Option.”

Record a Macro

In Excel, you can automate a number of tasks by recording a macro. When ready, click “Stop Recording” to stop recording the macro after performing the appropriate steps in Excel by clicking the “Record Macro” button on the Developer tab. The actions that Excel records will be saved as a macro that may be used at a later time.

Add a Button to Run Your Macro

You can include a button in the Excel toolbar to run a macro that has been recorded quickly. To add a button for your macro, right-click the toolbar, choose “Customize the Ribbon,” and then click OK. The automated task may then be quickly and easily accessed by clicking this button, which will initiate the macro with only one click.

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Conclusion

Macros in Excel are instructions that automate Excel processes by recording or writing VBA code. Prerequisites include understanding the fundamentals of Excel, Excel functions, VBA syntax, objects, and functions, and how to use the Excel macro recorder. Macro basics include subroutines, objects, methods, and variables. Business Analytics Certification Program from upGrad is an excellent overview of functions in analytics which will help you perform better in your tasks.