VBA, short for Visual Basic for Application, is a programming language that can be used in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel. VBA was created in the 1990s to unify macro languages across individual applications. Using VBA in Excel is a good way to automate workflows and generate practical tools to manage projects and accounts. VBA programming allows for the exchange of data, tables, and diagrams across individual Microsoft 365 applications.
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Private registration24/7 supportEmailThe VBA programming language has been available in Excel since version 95 and thanks to a plethora of VBA tutorials available online, it is relatively easy to learn even for non-programmers. Much like any Office application, Excel is composed of multiple objects including spreadsheets, cells, and tables. Methods and features can be manipulated and adjusted manually or using VBA programming. If you find yourself executing the same activities over and over again, Excel Visual Basic programming could save you lots of time. Using Excel VBA, you can create, select, or delete objects on command.
But how does that work? Excel integrates a VBA Editor which can be used to generate automatic operations. It’s not as complicated as it sounds because the individual coding blocks are fixed. This means that for every standard operation, there’s already a completed chunk of code available. You’ll only need to arrange the individual code blocks to personalize the solution you’re looking for.
These solutions are referred to as Excel macros and they make it easy to organize, format, or import data. But before you get started, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the VBA codes in order to put them together in the right way.
It’s a good idea to start with the foundations of Visual Basic before you get into arranging the individual coding blocks in Excel. Our short, step by step VBA tutorial demonstrates how to create a simple Excel macro.
In Excel Visual Basic, variables are used in the same manner as mathematic equations. They’re not just placeholders for values, but also placeholders for character strings or objects. The use of variables is a good idea if certain elements are activated more than once. In VBA code, you need to declare a variable as a type of data. Use the following DIM command to do so: Dim [Variable] As [Data type].
For example, Dim datStart As Date tells VBA that a variable with the name of “Start” of data type “Date” should be created.
Depending on the content of your Variable, you’ll need to choose the correct type of data in Excel VBA. The most-used data types and declaration symbols are:
Do
[statement]
Loop [While/Until] PrintThe “Do loop” allows you to define commands that are repeated until the loop matches a predefined condition. Using “while” repeats the loop until the condition becomes “False”. Using “Until”, the loop is repeated until “True”.
For [start value] To [value] Step [value]
[Do1]
Next [Variable]The “For loop” repeats commands as specified. The loop starts as soon as the specified variable is reached and increases by the value specified in “Step” until the final value.
If [statement1] Then
[Do1]
Elseif [statement2] Then
[Do2]
Else
[Do3]
End ifThe “If-Then” command executes a series of commands depending on whether the statement is matched or not. In the example above, if statement 1 is correct, command “Do1” is automatically executed. If it’s not correct, statement 2 is checked. If statement 2 is correct, command “Do2” is executed. If neither of the statements are correct, command Do3 is executed.
Besides VBA programming, Excel shortcuts are a great way to make working in Excel more efficient.
The best way to learn Excel VBA is to practice using examples and exercises. The following shows a simple “If…Then...Else” command:
The following example uses an Excel macro to show whether candidate 142 passed a test or not. To pass, they would need to have scored at least 60 points.
The VBA code above: IfRange("b2").Value >= 60 Then Range("c2").Value = "Yes" stipulates the condition that needs to answer the value in cell C2 with “Yes”. When you hit the play button and “Execute” in the next window, VBA programming begins and cell C2 is auto-filled:
The example above is simple so that beginners can get a first impression of Visual Basic in Excel. You’ll find many other examples online that you can use to practice.
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