Macro

Process and transform data

Generate reports

Interact with other applications

Create custom functions

Build user interfaces

## Recording vs Writing Macros

### Recording (Easier)

1. Turn on macro recorder 2. Perform your actions 3. Stop recording 4. Play back anytime

Pros: No coding required Cons: Limited flexibility, can be inefficient

### Writing (More Powerful) Write code directly in VBA or Apps Script

Pros: Complete control, efficient, conditional logic Cons: Requires programming knowledge

## Recording a Macro in Excel

1. View → Macros → Record Macro 2. Name your macro 3. Choose shortcut key (optional) 4. Perform your actions 5. View → Macros → Stop Recording

## Recording a Macro in Google Sheets

1. Extensions → Macros → Record macro 2. Choose relative or absolute references 3. Perform your actions 4. Click Save 5. Name your macro

## Example: VBA Macro

Sub FormatReport()
    ' Format headers
    Range("A1:E1").Font.Bold = True
    Range("A1:E1").Interior.Color = RGB(0, 112, 192)
    Range("A1:E1").Font.Color = RGB(255, 255, 255)
    ' Auto-fit columns
    Columns("A:E").AutoFit    ' Add borders
    Range("A1").CurrentRegion.Borders.LineStyle = xlContinuous
End Sub

## Example: Apps Script

function formatReport() {
  const sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
  // Format headers
  const headers = sheet.getRange("A1:E1");
  headers.setFontWeight("bold");
  headers.setBackground("#0070C0");
  headers.setFontColor("#FFFFFF");  // Auto-resize columns
  sheet.autoResizeColumns(1, 5);
}

## Running Macros

### Excel

View → Macros → View Macros → Run

Keyboard shortcut (if assigned)

Button (from Developer tab)

Automatically via events

### Google Sheets

Extensions → Macros → [Your macro name]

Keyboard shortcut

Custom menu (via script)

Triggers (time-based or event-based)

## Security Considerations

### Excel

Macros can contain malicious code

Files with macros use .xlsm extension

Enable only from trusted sources

Use macro security settings

### Google Sheets

Scripts require authorization

Review permissions carefully

Scripts run in Google's cloud

## Best Practices

1. Comment your code: Explain what each section does

2. Use descriptive names: ProcessMonthlySales not Macro1 3. Handle errors: Add error handling for robustness 4. Test thoroughly: Check edge cases and invalid inputs 5. Back up: Save before running new macros 6. Modularize: Break complex macros into smaller procedures

## When to Use Macros

Good candidates for automation:

Repeated more than 3 times

Error-prone manual processes

Time-consuming formatting

Regular report generation

Not ideal for:

One-time tasks

Simple operations faster done manually

Tasks requiring human judgment

Examples