What is an Excel Macro?

A excel macro is a series of keystrokes, mouse clicks, and other commands that you can record and reuse to save time.  You can record a macro for almost any series of commands, whether it is something simple like applying formatting to selected cells, or something more complex like opening and printing a series of workbooks.

The next time you want to perform those steps, you can run the macro and then sit back while Microsoft Excel does the work for you.

Short Tutorial for Macros – Microsoft Excel:

Important Notes about Running Macros

1. Plan your macro ahead of time. This will reduce errors while recording your macro.
2. Notice the naming convention used. DO NOT USE SPACES IN THE NAME OF THE MACRO. Use underscores, hyphens, or just type your words together.
3. When assigning a shortcut key, be careful about the combination selected.  Ie, if you select Control P to run your macro, it will replace the current function of Control P that allows printing.

Recording A Macro

1. Open you the worksheet that you want to use the macro in.
2. Select View/Macro/Record Macro.
3. Give your macro name.  Do not put spaces in the name. Underscores and hyphens are allowed.
4. (optional) Assign a shortcut key.  This will replace any functionality this shortcut key had prior to the macro.
5. Always put a good description in your macro.  This will remind you of what your plans were with the macro.
6. If you plan to use the macro often, store it in the Personal Macro workbook.
7. Click OK.
8. Perform the steps to your macro.
9. Click on the Stop Button when you are done.
10. Presto!  You just created a macro!

Running a Macro

1. Open the worksheet you want to apply the macro to.
2. Double-click Tools on the menu bar, trace to Macro, and then Macros.
3. Select your macro from the list…Notice the Prefix of Personal.xls!YourMacroName

Or

1. Open the worksheet you want to apply the macro to.
2. Use your keyboard shortcut