Microsoft Office

Part VI
Programming Excel with VBA
What You Can Do with VBA
VBA is an extremely rich programming language with thousands of uses. The following list contains just a
few things that you can do with VBA macros. (Not all of these tasks are covered in this book.)
n Insert boilerplate text: If you need to enter standard text into a range of cells, you can create a
macro to do the typing for you.
n Automate a procedure that you perform frequently: For example, you may need to prepare a
month-end summary. If the task is straightforward, you can develop a macro to do it for you.
n Automate repetitive operations: If you need to perform the same action in 12 different workbooks,
you can record a macro while you perform the task once — and then let the macro repeat your
action in the other workbooks.
n Create a custom command: For example, you can combine several of Excel’s commands so that
they’re executed from a single keystroke or from a single mouse click.
n Create a simplified “front end” for users who don’t know much about Excel: For example, you
can set up a foolproof data-entry template.
n Develop a new worksheet function: Although Excel includes a wide assortment of built-in functions,
you can create custom functions that greatly simplify your formulas.
n Create complete macro-driven applications: Excel macros can display custom dialog boxes and
respond to new commands added to the Ribbon.
n Create custom add-ins for Excel: Most add-ins shipped with Excel were created with Excel
macros. I used VBA exclusively to create my Power Utility Pak.
Figure 39.1 shows how the Ribbon looks when the Developer tab is selected.
FIGURE 39.1
The Developer tab, which does not appear by default, contains useful commands for VBA users.
About Macro Security
Macro security was a key priority in developing Excel 2007. The reason is that macros are powerful — so
powerful that they can do serious damage to your computer. The macro security features in Excel 2007
were created to help prevent macro-related problems.
Figure 39.2 shows the Macro Settings section of the Trust Center dialog box. To display this dialog box,
choose Developer ➪ Macro Security.
682