Introduction to Excel Macros: Part 2

Author: David H. Ringstrom

In Part 2 of Introduction to Excel Macros, Excel expert David Ringstrom, CPA, takes you beyond the basics of using Excel’s Record Macro feature and explains how to enhance the code you’ve created by adding error-handling features and decision-making capabilities. David shares techniques and keyboard shortcuts that will help you eliminate repetitive tasks and become more proficient with Excel macros.

David demonstrates every technique at least twice: first, on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps, and second, in the subscription-based Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) version of Excel. David draws your attention to any differences in the older versions of Excel (2021, 2019, 2016 and earlier) during the presentation as well as in his detailed handouts. David also provides an Excel workbook that includes most of the examples he uses during the webcast.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based product that provides new feature updates as often as monthly. Conversely, the perpetual licensed versions of Excel have feature sets that don't change. Perpetual licensed versions have year numbers, such as Excel 2021, Excel 2019, and so on.

Publication Date: September 2022

Designed For
Practitioners who have some experience with Excel macros and wish to expand their knowledge of implementing them in order to work more efficiently in Excel.

Topics Covered

• Choosing the proper file workbook format to preserve macros within Excel workbooks
• Discovering the array of form controls available within Excel
• Enabling the hidden Developer menu in Excel to access additional functionality
• Executing Excel macros one line of code at a time when needed to understand how the macro works or debug problems in the code
• Exploring Excel's Goal Seek feature, which can be used to solve for a single missing input
• Providing feedback to a user by way of the MsgBox method within a macro
• Triggering and then resolving compile errors within Excel macros
• Understanding syntax errors within Excel macros
• Using the Workbooks.Open method to open a specific workbook while a macro is running
• Utilizing the Application.GetOpenFIleName method to prompt users to select a file while a macro is running
• Viewing the programming code for recorded macros

Learning Objectives

• Recognize and apply an enhanced understanding of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros
• List techniques, features, and keyboard shortcuts that will help you eliminate repetitive tasks
• Recognize how to implement Excel's Goal Seek feature
• Identify the ribbon tab you can enable to access additional tools related to macros
• Identify the line of code that instructs Excel to skip over any lines of code that trigger an error
• Identify the icon on the Visual Basic Editor's toolbar that enables you to bring a running macro to a complete stop
• Identify the ribbon tab or menu in Excel where the Text to Columns command appears

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study
Computer Software & Applications (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
A basic understanding of Excel macros.

Advance Preparation
It is advised to have attended Macros part 1.