Believe it or not, Macros in Excel can save you a lot of time and effort especially if you are dealing with repetitive tasks. Macros allow you to record a sequence of actions that you often do and then replay it whenever you need it. This tutorial will show you how to use macros in Excel and provide you with some examples to get you started.
What are Macros in Excel?
Macros are a set of instructions that you can record and replay whenever you need it. Once recorded, Macros eliminate the need to repeat a process repeatedly, saving you time and effort, especially if you are working with large volumes of data. Macros in Excel are also referred to as VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) and are created by Microsoft to automate repetitive tasks.
How to Add Macros in Excel?
Adding a macro in Excel is quite simple and straightforward, follow the steps below:
- Open the workbook in which you want to add the macro.
- Click on “Developer” tab from the ribbon
- Select “Record Macro” from the “Code” group
- Provide a name for the macro and select a shortcut key. You can also select a save location for the macro.
- Select the security level for the macro and click “OK”
- Perform the actions that you want to record. Excel will record the actions and play them back when the macro is run.
- Once done recording, click on “Stop Recording” in the “Code” group.
Examples of Macros in Excel
Here are some examples of how you can use macros in Excel to automate repetitive tasks:
Macro for Sorting
Sorting large volumes of data can be tedious and time-consuming. You can create a macro to sort the data for you. Here are the steps to follow:
- Select a column in which you want to sort the data.
- Click on “Developer” tab and select “Record Macro”. Give the macro a name and shortcut key and click “OK”
- Select “Sort A to Z” from the “Sort & Filter” group on the “Data” tab
- Click “Stop Recording” in the “Code” group.
- You can now use the shortcut key to run the macro and sort the data in the selected column.
Macro for Formatting
Formatting large volumes of data can also be tedious. You can create a macro to format the data for you. Here are the steps to follow:
- Select the cells that you want to format.
- Click on “Developer” tab and select “Record Macro”. Give the macro a name and shortcut key and click “OK”
- Select the formatting that you want to apply from the “Home” tab.
- Click “Stop Recording” in the “Code” group.
- You can now use the shortcut key to run the macro and format the selected cells.
How to Use Macros in Excel?
Once you have created a macro in Excel, you can use it to automate repetitive tasks. Here are the steps to follow:
- Click on “Developer” tab and select “Macros” from the “Code” group.
- Select the macro that you want to run and click “Run”
- The macro will run and perform the recorded actions
FAQ
Q1) Are Macros in Excel Dangerous?
No, macros in Excel are not dangerous. However, they can be used maliciously by hackers to spread viruses and malware. As a precaution, you should only open Excel files from trusted sources and enable the security settings to prevent macros from running without your permission.
Q2) Can Macros in Excel be Edited?
Yes, macros in Excel can be edited. To edit a macro, click on “Developer” tab and select “Macros” from the “Code” group. Select the macro that you want to edit and click “Edit”
Video Tutorial on how to create Excel Macros
Here’s a great video tutorial that can help you create macros in Excel. Check it out and start automating those repetitive tasks today!
Conclusion
Macros in Excel can be a valuable tool for automating repetitive tasks and saving time and effort. By following these simple steps, you can start creating your own macros and improve your productivity. With practice, you can even develop more complex macros to make your work even faster and efficient.
