What are they, how do they work and how to create Excel Macros?
Excel is probably one of the most useful Office tools, thanks to the facilities it offers for mastering calculations, which is why it is widely used in this type of application. One of its most useful functions is the macro, since it allows you to automate previously determined actions, to speed up tasks.
What is Excel for is one of the most common questions asked by users who are not familiar with the program and, although explaining how Excel works can be somewhat difficult, its ability to offer automation and simplify tasks cannot be denied.
Microsoft Excel, what is it?
Microsoft Excel is an application where you can work directly on a digital spreadsheet. Within the program you will have access to multiple tools for the development of the calculation , which can work more or less automatically when working with commands and keyboard shortcuts.
In simpler words, within this spreadsheet you will be able to create tables and other types of formats, to work with them based on mathematical calculations and operations.
As such, the program has existed since 1985 and today it is version 19, which was released in 2018 together with the Office Professional package. Besides, it stands out that you can enjoy Microsoft Excel on multiple platforms, such as Windows, Mac OS, Android and iOS.
What is a macro in Excel?
If you want to know how to transfer data from one Excel workbook to another automatically or create an Excel database with a form, macros are a feature that will ease many aspects of these tiresome tasks.
Basically and to answer the question of what are macros, we find the automation function of Excel. Within the program you can access a special section with the ability to record everything you do in the spreadsheet, to record it with a keyboard shortcut.
This allows you, for example, to run a macro when a cell value changes and all related cells are also updated, without having to carry out all the steps in each one.
How do Excel macros work?
Excel macros, as indicated, are customizable automatisms that you can create within the same application, so that the program repeats the steps given, after indicating it by means of a keyboard shortcut.
It is especially useful for frequent users of the program, since it saves both time and effort when creating spreadsheets.
Its operation, moreover, is quite simple to understand, since it is based on recording the pointer and keystrokes , and then repeating the sequence as indicated. Also, one of its advantages is that they can be modified after recording, so you won’t have to worry if you make a mistake.
On the other hand, it should be noted that with the use of macros in Excel, the possibility of errors is considerably reduced , thanks to the previous recording of all the commands, sequences and keyboard input necessary for the use and reading of the generated spreadsheet.
Steps to create macros in Excel
If you’re wondering how to make macros in Excel, we’ve put together a guide that might help if you don’t have much experience. Here you can see step by step what you must do, to be able to make macros in Excel and facilitate the general handling of the program:
- Run Microsoft Excel on your computer
To get started, the first thing you need to do is launch the Excel application on your computer. For this, you must have it previously installed, either by acquiring an Office license for Microsoft or by checking if your computer already has a registered copy.
Go to Start and click on the button. Once the Windows menu is displayed, type “Excel” in the search engine and when the result appears, just click on the icon.
- Enter view mode
Once you’ve launched the program, scroll through the tabs at the top until you find one called View. Click on it and this will take you to new options available in the Excel sheet toolbar.
- Define the macro
On the left side of the screen you will see a button called Macros that, when pressed, displays a mini menu with various options. Here you must select the Record macro and this will open a new window, where you will be asked for the data to recognize the macro. You will be able to give it a name, define a keyboard shortcut and also choose where to file it.
- record the actions
When you have finished defining the parameters of the macro, click OK. This will return you to the main page and you can start recording your macro in Excel, performing the actions you want to be carried out when entering the keyboard shortcut.
- save the macro
To finish, simply go back to the View tab and when you press the Macros button you will notice that one of its options has changed to Stop recording. Click on it and everything is ready. Now you just have to check that, when you insert the macro in Excel, everything runs correctly.
In case you do not know very clearly how Excel works, you can easily find examples of a free online macro, so that you can check the effects of each combination and how they speed up all the tasks of the spreadsheet on computers..
Over time, you will become familiar with the examples of macros in Excel, so that handling the program and its features is completely fluid and without the need to review other guides.
