Module 3.1
Task 8 - Macros


A.M.D.G.

A macro is a very small program that allows you to customize and automate Excel so that it makes your tasks easier. This is a wonderful feature of Excel. You don't have to know how to program since Excel records your actions and writes the program for you.

To create a macro you must decide which Excel task you want to record and practice it. Once you start recording, everything you do is recorded, even the errors. For example, choose to record making a chart.

  • Choose TOOLS - MACRO - RECORD NEW MACRO. This will give you a dialog box. Enter a name for your macro (first character must be a letter and spaces are not allowed).
  • In the Shortcut Key box, you may enter a letter. To access the macro on a Mac, press "the letter that you have chosen" + OPTION+CMD. On a PC, press Ctrl + "the letter that you have chosen". If you leave this box blank, you may access the macro by choosing from the toolbar TOOLS - MACRO- click your macro's name and then click RUN.
  • In the "Store Macro In" box, click the location where you want to store the macro. Personal macro workbook allows you to access the macro from any Excel document and is the best choice. The other two options only allow you to use the macro when you are working in the same document in which you created the macro.
  • Press OK
  • Carry out the actions you wish to record and when you are done, click the Stop Recording icon. You have created a macro
  • You can access it through the method that you chose (keystroke or tools menu item). If it uses relative cell reference, highlight the cell/s that you would like it to affect (if it uses absolute cell references, it will automatically use the cell designations that you programmed).