A macro is an automated input sequence that imitates keystrokes or mouse actions. A Microsoft Office macro is VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) smart code saved inside a file (in our case, inside Excel spreadsheets, or as an add-on file, though macros can be created in some other MS Office modules as well).

A macro is typically used to replace a repetitive, time consuming (and often error-prone) series of keyboard and mouse actions and are common in spreadsheet and word processing applications like MS Excel and MS Word.

Such repetitive tasks can involve word, formatting, or data manipulations, or even complex calculations that require the use of formulas. And the more complex those repetitive tasks are, the more useful the macros that simplify them! Instead of hours of tedious work, get the job done within seconds – error-free!

In short: an Excel macro is a set of programming instructions that can be used to eliminate the need to repeat the steps of commonly performed Excel tasks over and over again. Macro codes automate work in a program; they let you add your own small (or big) features and enhancements to help you accomplish exactly what you need to do, quickly, with just a click of a button.

Professionally created, smart macros significantly improve your productivity – and your bottom line.

Better ask: when are they not useful …? They almost always are, with the exception of easy, infrequent, or less important tasks (or a genius geek in your office …). If you have tasks in Microsoft Excel that you do repeatedly, then a macro to automate those tasks is the way to go. A macro is an action or a set of actions that you can run as many times as you want.

Using macros, you can, with lightning speed and without errors :

• Select, apply, style, format and manipulate cells or data.
• Check for logical rules.
• Add or remove rows or columns based on rules.
• Protect or unprotect work sheets.
• Automate complicated, error-prone calculations and formulas.
• Shrink many office tasks from hours to seconds
• Import, and communicate with data sources (Excel files, text files, databases, etc.).
• Create entirely new documents, or save to a new format (example:  .csv to .xlsx).
• Dynamically update results and charts (based on input) – especially crucial in sales, profit and other projections where variables matter a lot.
• Anything you would do manually with your mouse and keyboard.
• Any combination, in any order, of any of the above.

Macros can be incredibly powerful and useful, as they can perform almost any task you may require (see the previous FAQ). The most challenging tasks macros can do are complex calculations of all imaginable financial data, whereby you can simulate different financial scenarios to arrive at crucial decisions – and the macro will automate output results (depending on your input variables), all in a predefined, reliably controlled format. All this, within seconds – and error-free!

To sum up: well programmed macros avoid errors and tedious (often frustrating and demotivating) work, saving a lot of time and money in the process.

Yes. Macros can be programmed in MS Word and MS Access as well, but they are most useful in Excel because that’s where potential errors abound, and savings and efficiencies are the most substantial.

Absolutely. We do of course need an accurate definition of the task(s) you want the macro to accomplish, and we’ll work with you to get clarity. Once the task or tasks are defined, we will deliver a perfect, professional macro solution which will enable the users to go home much earlier! By the way, in the highly unlikely event that you are not satisfied, we’ll make it right!

Simply contact us and let us know how we can help. We’ll reply fast (usually within 24 hours) and we can schedule a phone chat to identify your needs. We can then take it from there. And of course there is no obligation on your part.