How to Use the Excel 2003 Macro Recorder
Visual basic for applications (VBA) comes with excel and is the macro language that allows you to create your very own programs.
By using VBA you can automate manual processes very quickly and increase your productivity.
The macro recorder is a bit like the old video VCRs.
It will record your exact actions in excel and replay them back at the touch of a button or via a shortcut key, which you need to assign.
It also a great way to learn how code and how the syntax is done.
The syntax can be a huge headache if you get it wrong.
Use the recorder, then adapt the code to your own needs.
Getting Started To get started, You don't need to access the visual basic editor.
If you are planning to use this a lot, then you should dock the visual basic toolbar by going to the view menu and select visual basic.
In excel 2007, you will need to add the developer menu first.
Say for example, you want to add your business details to every weekly report automatically before you send it out.
You could either set up a template with the details already there or use the macro recorder.
The great thing about excel is that there is always two or more ways of doing the same thing.
This is not a bad thing, because every business need will be different.
One approach might be better than the other.
Just pick the one that suits your needs.
When you click the record button on the viusal basic toolbar, you will get the option to add a macro name and which workbook to save it.
In most cases, you will select your personal.
xls.
This excel file loads every time you open excel, but it is in the background waiting to run your short programs.
Always add your initials as part of any vba program eg DSmyprogram.
Add a shortcut if you prefer - just write down what this is.
As soon as you press okay, the 'VCR' is now recording.
Anything that you do is recorded, including any scrolling of the windows scroll bar.
This is why macro code can be inefficient as it contains code that is not required.
This is one of many disadvantages of the recorder.
Inefficient code can slow your process down.
By using VBA you can automate manual processes very quickly and increase your productivity.
The macro recorder is a bit like the old video VCRs.
It will record your exact actions in excel and replay them back at the touch of a button or via a shortcut key, which you need to assign.
It also a great way to learn how code and how the syntax is done.
The syntax can be a huge headache if you get it wrong.
Use the recorder, then adapt the code to your own needs.
Getting Started To get started, You don't need to access the visual basic editor.
If you are planning to use this a lot, then you should dock the visual basic toolbar by going to the view menu and select visual basic.
In excel 2007, you will need to add the developer menu first.
Say for example, you want to add your business details to every weekly report automatically before you send it out.
You could either set up a template with the details already there or use the macro recorder.
The great thing about excel is that there is always two or more ways of doing the same thing.
This is not a bad thing, because every business need will be different.
One approach might be better than the other.
Just pick the one that suits your needs.
When you click the record button on the viusal basic toolbar, you will get the option to add a macro name and which workbook to save it.
In most cases, you will select your personal.
xls.
This excel file loads every time you open excel, but it is in the background waiting to run your short programs.
Always add your initials as part of any vba program eg DSmyprogram.
Add a shortcut if you prefer - just write down what this is.
As soon as you press okay, the 'VCR' is now recording.
Anything that you do is recorded, including any scrolling of the windows scroll bar.
This is why macro code can be inefficient as it contains code that is not required.
This is one of many disadvantages of the recorder.
Inefficient code can slow your process down.
