Macros in Excel

Excel Macros

A macro can be defined as the recording of a series of tasks. It’s the simplest form of automation – show a software program the steps you follow to get something done, and the software will follow along. When used right, macros can save you hours by automating simple, repetitive tasks.

A macro is a series of commands and functions that are stored in a Microsoft Visual Basic module (module: A collection of declarations, statements, and procedures stored together as one named unit. And can be run whenever you need to perform the task.

For example, if you often enter long text strings in cells, you can create a macro to format those cells so that the text wraps.

Recording macros When you record a macro, Excel stores information about each step you take as you perform a series of commands. You then run the macro to repeat, or “play back,” the commands. If you make a mistake when you record the macro, corrections you make are also recorded. Visual Basic (Visual Basic: A high-level, visual-programming version of Basic. Visual Basic was developed by Microsoft for building Windows-based applications.) stores each macro in a new module attached to a workbook.