Enabling Macros and Scripts
Before you can get started creating macros and VBA scripts, enable the Developer tab on the Ribbon menu. The Developer tab is where the option to create macros and scripts is kept, as well as including other tools designed for advanced Excel users and developers. Once the option is enabled, adjust Excel’s macro security setting so you can test and run your macros. Click File. Select Options. Click Customize Ribbon and tick the Developer check-box. Click OK. Click the Developer tab in the Ribbon menu. Click Macro Security. Select the Enable all macros (not recommended; potentially dangerous code can run) radio button and click OK.
Creating Macros
Macros automatically run through their recorded commands and actions when a specific command is issued. Every action you take in Excel during recording is added to the macro, so do a couple of practice runs to smooth out your process before you begin recording. Click Record Macro from the Developer tab. Enter a name, shortcut and description for your macro in the appropriate fields. Click the Store macro in drop-down and select where you want to keep the macro.
This Workbook limits the macro to the Excel document you’re currently editing. New Workbook creates a new Excel document specifically for storing this macro. Personal Macro Workbook creates a hidden Excel document that stores all your macros for use with any Excel document.
Click OK. Perform the actions you want to automate, and then click Stop Recording. Use the keyboard shortcut specified to use your new macro.
Using VBA Scripting
VBA takes some practice to understand and apply properly, so if you’re new to the language, check out guides like Excel Easy and Home & Learn’s Excel VBA courses and tutorials. Microsoft’s Hey, Scripting Guy! blog series also contains some useful examples of scripts for Excel. Click Visual Basic from the Developer tab. Find the sheet you want to add a VBA script to from the Project - VBAProject pane and double-click the sheet. Type out or paste the VBA code segment you want to add to your sheet into the Code window. Click Run followed by Run Sub/UserForm to test your VBA script. If the script works as intended, continue with any further scripting or work with Excel. If not, adjust the script in the Code window until it behaves as intended.
