In today's workshop, we will be exploring the use of macros in Microsoft Excel 2016, part of the Microsoft Office 2016 office suite. A macro is a series of recorded instructions which mimic the actions required to perform a task. Excel allows a series of actions to be recorded as they are performed, which it then translates into Visual Basic for Applications, or VBA, code for that macro. If a task must be performed repeatedly in Excel, a macro for that task will perform it with precision and consistency.
We'll learn how to create basic macros, how to edit the Visual Basic relating to these macros and security considerations when using macros in Excel. To do this, we will be using a workbook that is designed to track purchases for a small business.
About These Materials for MacOS Users
These materials are written with the presumption that you have modified a particular MacOS system setting for the Keyboard, which will enable many of the same keyboard shortcut combinations used by Windows to behave as expected on your MacOS computer. Information regarding this simple change is available at the IT Training Tips Blog page about cross-platform keyboard shortcuts.
If you have not made this change, not all instructions in these materials may behave as expected on your computer. If this happens, you may have to perform some simple substitutions. The following table lists common substitutions between the Windows and MacOS operating systems:
On Windows | On MacOS |
---|---|
Control key | Command key |
Alt key | Option key |
Enter | Return |
Right-Click | Control key+Click |