Microsoft Office

Introducing Visual Basic
for Applications
This chapter is an introduction to the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
macro language — a key component for users who want to customize
Excel. This chapter teaches you how to record macros and create simple
macro procedures. Subsequent chapters expand upon the topics in this chapter.
Introducing VBA Macros
In its broadest sense, a macro is a sequence of instructions that automates some
aspect of Excel so that you can work more efficiently and with fewer errors. You
may create a macro, for example, to format and print your month-end sales
report. After the macro is developed, you can then execute the macro to perform
many time-consuming procedures automatically.
You need not be a power user to create and use simple VBA macros. Casual users
can simply turn on Excel’s macro recorder: Excel records your actions and converts
them into a VBA macro. When you execute this macro, Excel performs the
actions again. More advanced users, though, can write code that tells Excel to
perform tasks that can’t be recorded. For example, you can write procedures that
display custom dialog boxes, add new commands to Excel’s menus, or process
data in a series of workbooks.
IN THIS CHAPTER
Introducing VBA macros
Creating VBA macros
Recording VBA macros
More about recording VBA
macros
Writing VBA code
Learning more about VBA
Displaying the Developer tab
If you plan to work with VBA macros, you’ll want to make sure that the
Developer tab is present in Excel. To display this tab:
1. Choose Office ➪ Excel Options.
2. In the Excel Options dialog box, select Personalize.
3. Place a check mark next to Show Developer tab in the Ribbon.
4. Click OK to return to Excel.
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