Introduction to Excel Macros: Part 1

In this presentation, author and Excel expert David H. Ringstrom, CPA, will guide you through the powerful world of macros in Microsoft Excel. You'll learn how to record your first macro, edit it, and understand the associated risks, while also exploring practical applications such as automating tasks and cleaning accounting reports. David will demonstrate how to create and run a simple contact info macro, re-record with relative references, and utilize features like filtering and splitting data. Additionally, he will cover essential topics like saving workbooks that contain macros, navigating macro security notifications, and locating the Personal Macro Workbook file. Join us for this engaging session where you'll gain hands-on experience and have the opportunity to ask questions along the way!

David H. Ringstrom, CPA, has more than 30 years of experience as a spreadsheet and accounting software consultant and speaker. He has presented over 2,500 live webinars and is the author or co-author of ten books, including “Microsoft 365 Excel All-in-One for Dummies”, “Microsoft 365 Excel for Dummies”, “Exploring Microsoft Excel’s Hidden Treasures”, and “QuickBooks Online for Dummies”.

In his webinars, David demonstrates every technique twice: first on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps and then live in Excel for Microsoft 365 for Windows. He highlights any differences in Excel 2024, 2021, or 2019 during the presentation and in his detailed handouts. Attendees also receive an Excel workbook containing most of the examples he uses, making it easy to follow along and apply the techniques later. David additionally supports Excel for Mac users by answering their follow-up questions via email.

Who Should Attend
Professionals seeking to enhance their Excel skills through automation, streamline reporting processes, and effectively utilize macros for improved efficiency in their workflows.

Topics Covered

• Stopping the Macro Recorder
• Starting the macro recorder and preparing the exported report for automation
• Center Across Selection with the Macro Recorder
• Assigning keyboard shortcuts and avoiding conflicts with Excel or Windows
• Recognizing limitations and common mistakes when using the macro recorder
• Using Filter to exclude totals and blank rows from exported data
• Finding PERSONAL.XLSB in the XLSTART folder for sharing or backup
• Unhiding the Personal Macro Workbook and opening the Visual Basic Editor
• Preserving macros by saving workbooks in the XLSM format versus the default XLSX format
• Outlining the macro steps to remove details and totals from exported data

Learning Objectives

• Recall the file format that results in discarding macros from your workbook when you save
• Identify the Excel setting that instructs Excel not to capture cell addresses but instead positioning of cells
• Recall the Excel menu that contains the Record Macro command

Level
Intermediate

Instructional Method
Group: Internet-based

NASBA Field of Study
Information Technology (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
Prior experience with Microsoft Excel is recommended.

Advance Preparation
None