Record Excel Macros That Work

How to Record Excel Macros that Work
Page | 2

By John Franco
IMPORTANT: As an added bonus for downloading this book, you have

also access to more free Excel VBA training.
To access your bonuses go to:
www.masterofmacros.com/blog
Page | 3
John Franco © 2010 by excelvba.org
Notice of Rights
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a

retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior
written permission of the publisher.
If you want to sell this book, use it for commercial purposes, distribute it in bulk
quantities in your workplace, or a hard copy version; please Contact me
Notice of Liability
The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the
information herein. However, the information contained in this book is sold
without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the author and
excelvba.org, nor its dealers or distributors, will be held liable for any damages
to be caused either directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this
book, or by the software or hardware products described herein.
Trademark Notice
Rather than indicating every occurrence of a trademarked name as such, this

book uses the names only in an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the
trademark owner with no intention of infringement of the trademark.
Page | 4
Acknowledgement
You are enjoying a better Excel Macro book because I received the great advice
and suggestions of a spontaneous/welcomed editor.
Thank you Ron S.
Contact him here: rohnskii@gmail.com
Page | 5
Table of contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................................5
TABLE OF CONTENTS .....................................................................................................................6
PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK ................................................................................................................8
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................ 10
1. INTRODUCTION TO EXCEL MACROS ..................................................................................... 11
2. WHAT IS AN EXCEL MACRO ................................................................................................. 14
3. HOW THE EXCEL MACRO RECORDER WORKS ...................................................................... 21
3.1. THE EXCEL RECORDER REGISTERS EVERY ACTION YOU PERFORM ON EXCEL ....................................... 21
3.2. THE EXCEL RECORDER GENERATES A VBA INSTRUCTION AFTER THE GIVEN ACTION HAS BEEN PERFORMED
ON EXCEL 23
3.3. THE EXCEL RECORDER CHANGES THE “PROPERTIES” OF EXCEL OBJECTS PROGRAMMATICALLY .............. 24
3.4. THE EXCEL RECORDER USES THE “METHODS” OF EXCEL OBJECTS PROGRAMMATICALLY....................... 27
3.5. USING “RELATIVE REFERENCE” PRODUCES DIFFERENT VBA CODE................................................... 28
4. HOW TO PLAN THE RECORDING OF AN EXCEL MACRO ......................................................... 31
4.1. GET RID OF UNSYSTEMATIC STUFF .............................................................................................. 32
4.2. BREAK THE MACRO INTO SMALLER CHUNKS ................................................................................ 34
4.3. DEFINE THE TYPE OF MACRO: SPECIFIC OR GENERALLY-APPLICABLE MACRO ...................................... 35
4.4. PLAN ONLY ONE INSTANCE ........................................................................................................ 39
4.5. FINISH THE MACRO SMARTLY.................................................................................................... 39
4.6. BACKUP THE FILE BEFORE RECORDING ........................................................................................ 40
5. HOW TO RECORD AN EXCEL MACRO.................................................................................... 41
5.1. WHERE TO PLACE THE CURSOR BEFORE RECORDING A MACRO? ...................................................... 42
5.2. WHERE TO PLACE THE CURSOR BEFORE STOPPING A MACRO? ......................................................... 42
5.3. HOW TO SET UP A MACRO ......................................................................................................... 43
5.4. HOW TO RECORD A GENERALLY-APPLICABLE MACRO ...................................................................... 46
6. LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO DEVELOP ADAPTABLE MACROS BY GOING TO: ............................................ 46
5.5. HOW TO RECORD A SPECIFIC MACRO .......................................................................................... 47
5.6. HOW TO START THE RECORDING................................................................................................. 47
5.7. HOW TO MODIFY THE MACRO WHILE YOU RECORD ......................................................................... 47
5.8. HOW TO STOP THE RECORDING OF A MACRO? .............................................................................. 48
5.9. HOW TO MODIFY THE CODE AFTER YOU RECORD A MACRO .............................................................. 50
5.10. HOW TO MERGE TWO OR MORE MACROS ..................................................................................... 50
6. HOW TO INTEGRATE AN EXCEL MACRO INTO YOUR WORKBOOKS......................................... 54
6.1. HOW TO ACCESS A MACRO FROM THE WORKBOOK IT WAS CREATED.................................................. 54
6.2. HOW TO ACCESS A MACRO FROM ANY WORKBOOK ........................................................................ 64
6.3. WHERE TO PUT A MACRO YOU RECEIVE FROM OTHERS ................................................................... 79
6.4. HOW TO STOP THE EXECUTION OF A MACRO ................................................................................. 79
6.5. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR MACRO DON’T DO WHAT YOU WANT ......................................................... 80
7. HOW EXCEL VBA WORKS .................................................................................................... 81
7.1. VBA SYNTAX .......................................................................................................................... 85
7.2. EXCEL OBJECTS’ PROPERTIES AND METHODS ............................................................................... 86
7.3. HOW TO FIND EXCEL OBJECTS’ PROPERTIES AND METHODS? .......................................................... 88
7.4. EXCEL OBJECT MODEL REVEALED .............................................................................................. 95
7.5. POPULAR EXCEL VBA OBJECTS ............................................................................................... 101
Page | 6
8. HOW TO MAKE A MACRO MORE EFFICIENT: SHORTER, FASTER AND SMALLER ................... 115
8.1. DELETE INCIDENTAL ACTIONS AND MISTAKES ............................................................................. 115
8.2. POLISH ALL THE “WITH” STRUCTURES ...................................................................................... 117
8.3. GET RID OF FAT CODE (UNNECESSARY SELECTIONS AND REFERENCES) ............................................ 121
8.4. ADD VBA CODE HERE AND THERE ............................................................................................ 123
8.5. MAKE THE CODE MORE READABLE ........................................................................................... 123
8.6. DOCUMENT EVERY MACRO ..................................................................................................... 124
9. HOW TO MAKE AN EXCEL MACRO ADAPTABLE FOR VARIABLE-SIZED ARRAYS ..................... 125
11.1. MAKE YOUR MACRO VALID FOR STARTING EVERYWHERE IN THE SHEET............................................ 125
11.2. HOW TO CHANGE ABSOLUTE REFERENCES INTO RELATIVE ONES ..................................................... 132
11.3. MAKE YOUR MACRO TAKE DECISIONS ....................................................................................... 132
11.4. AVOID REPETITION ................................................................................................................. 135
10. HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT AN EXCEL MACRO...................................................................... 140
12.1. FIX VBA SYNTAX ERRORS ....................................................................................................... 140
12.2. FIX COMPILATION-TIME ERRORS ............................................................................................... 143
12.3. FIX RUN-TIME ERRORS ........................................................................................................... 144
11. ABILITIES AND WEAKNESSES OF RECORDED MACROS ...................................................... 147
11.1. WHAT THE EXCEL MACRO RECORDER CAN DO ............................................................................ 148
11.2. WHAT THE EXCEL MACRO RECORDER CANNOT DO ....................................................................... 148
Page | 7
Purpose of this book
Hi dear Excel user,
Welcome to my book: “How to Record Excel Macros that Work: make them
shorter, faster, and adaptable to variable-size arrays and workbooks”.
The purpose of this book is empowering you to delegate to the

machine all the tasks that can be done by it. This way you will save
tons of hours of tedious work, you will be happier and more efficient
at work.
To do that, you will take full control of the recording Macro feature in Excel.
After reading and practicing the concepts on this volume you will…
• Understand what a Macro is

• Understand the approach Excel uses to record Macros
• Plan and record Excel Macros efficiently
• Increase your confidence to alter the VBA Macro code that is created
• Integrate your Excel Macros into your workbooks with buttons, menus,
ribbons, etc.
• Get rid of fat code consistently
• Make Excel Macros usable for variable-size arrays
• And more…
Keep in mind that this book does not cover Excel VBA language to its
fullest. However, I guarantee that you will develop a practical Excel VBA
foundation to move to highest stages with confidence (writing Excel Macros
from scratch).
Get your free Excel VBA bonus “Beyond the Excel Recorder” by visiting:
How to take full advantage of this book?
The book was written for Excel 2007+ users in mind, but I included Excel 2003
directions so both users groups enjoy the book.
I recommend you start from the chapter one: Introduction to Excel Macros on
page 11; do it even if you are already familiar with recording Excel Macros, the
reading is simple and you will refresh vital concepts. Otherwise, jump to the
area that most interests you by using the detailed table of contents at the
beginning on page 6 or the brief TOC below…
Page | 8
All my experience with recording Excel Macros is here, nothing is left behind. I
hope you enjoy the book.
John Franco
Page | 9
Brief Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................................5
TABLE OF CONTENTS .....................................................................................................................6
PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK ................................................................................................................8
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................ 10
1. INTRODUCTION TO EXCEL MACROS ..................................................................................... 11
2. WHAT IS AN EXCEL MACRO ................................................................................................. 14
3. HOW THE EXCEL MACRO RECORDER WORKS ...................................................................... 21
4. HOW TO PLAN THE RECORDING OF AN EXCEL MACRO ......................................................... 31
5. HOW TO RECORD AN EXCEL MACRO.................................................................................... 41
6. HOW TO INTEGRATE AN EXCEL MACRO INTO YOUR WORKBOOKS......................................... 54
7. HOW EXCEL VBA WORKS .................................................................................................... 81
8. HOW TO MAKE A MACRO MORE EFFICIENT: SHORTER, FASTER AND SMALLER ................... 115
9. HOW TO MAKE AN EXCEL MACRO ADAPTABLE FOR VARIABLE-SIZED ARRAYS ..................... 125
10. HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT AN EXCEL MACRO...................................................................... 140
11. ABILITIES AND WEAKNESSES OF RECORDED MACROS ...................................................... 147
P a g e | 10
1. Introduction to Excel Macros
“Computing is not about

computers any more. It is
about living”
Nicholas Negroponte
M
acros are for your work on Excel the same thing an Excavator for a
Building construction project; excavating a given building foundation by
hand would take 12 months…
While doing it by machine, would take just 1 month…
P a g e | 11
When you use manual labor, your productivity is set by your muscle power and
the time you can employ your force decreases as you use it because you get
bored.
Even worst…
All the important tasks (pouring concrete, raising pillars and walls, etc.) are
halted during the excavation process. You cannot pour any drop of concrete
until you finish the foundation hole, only occurring after 12 months.
Yes, your goal is finishing the building but you are limited to employ your force
and talent on digging, for 12 bored months.
On Excel, the time you employ copying/pasting or moving cells using your
mouse is manual labor. While you are doing this industrious work, you cannot
employ your energy on the things that add value to your work and
organization: analyzing data, finding relationships, etc. (in other words,
finishing the building).
Here is the good news…
P a g e | 12
You can reduce your excavation time by 11 months; yes, from 12 to 1 month
by shifting the use of your hands for an excavator.
On Excel, you are able to transform your PC from manual to machine mode.
How do you do it?
By recording a Macro.
Would you excavate by hand if you know an excavator can do it?
Would you do the work with your mouse if you know the computer
can do it?
Enough big pictures for now…
Let’s get deeper!
P a g e | 13
2. What is an Excel Macro
“All programmers are

playwrights and all
computers are lousy actors”
Author unknown
Have you used a voice recording?
The main benefit of such device is that everything you spoke once can be
repeated over and over again without you physically speak again. Your voice is
in the tape.
You can even be heard without you been there.
The Excel Macro recorder feature is a similar device. The difference is that you
store Excel actions instead of your voice. These actions can be repeated again
and again without your physical intervention on Excel. For example:
• Select a given data region, insert a table, and create a Pivot Table
• Select a heading of a given table and apply a particular formatting
• Delete all the empty sheets
• Delete all sheets except the current one
• Arrange cells in a particular layout
• And more…
An audio tape is a set of recorded sounds.
A Macro is a set of recorded instructions.
What kind of instructions? Actions like: changing the color of a cell, renaming a
sheet, creating a table, sorting, filtering, etc.
P a g e | 14
To reproduce your voice you hit the Play button on the recording device; on the
other hand, to reproduce a set of actions on Excel you run a Macro. At the
same time, your voice is recorded on a magnetic tape, while your Excel actions
are recorded in a text file, specifically in a Sub procedure inside a text window
called “Module”. See below…
Here is where your instructions are stored…
Your instructions
are recorded here
P a g e | 15
How do you record instructions in a macro?
If you are using Excel 2007 or 2010, go to: View>Record Macro>Macro

name:>Ok
Or click the status bar. See below…
The Excel 2007/2010 status bar also indicates that Excel is in recording mode…
On Excel 2003
Go to: Tools>Macro>Record New Macro
And specify the Macro configuration (name, description, etc.)…
After pressing OK, the status bar indicates that Excel is in recording mode…
While this mode is activated, EVERYTHING you do on Excel will be

recorded.
This is not so good as it might appears; the same way your voice recording
device registers your hesitations and background noise, the Excel recorder
captures all your mistakes and incidental actions.
This creates the need to edit recorded actions in Macros.
P a g e | 16
Tip
While Excel is on recording mode, its behavior is normal, with one

exception: in the background, Excel creates a Module (Module1,
Module2, Module3, ModuleN) and a Sub procedure with the name
you specify on the “Record Macro” dialog. By default: Macro1,
Macro2, Macro3, MacroN.
Each sub is a
Macro
A module is created
automatically
Now I will record a simple Macro (Macro1). Proceed as above to put Excel in
recording mode.
Want to see what’s going in the background?
Split the Excel and the Excel VBA editor windows by right clicking on the
Windows task bar (arrange windows vertically).
See below the code window (Module1) with the Sub “Macro1” before I do my
first action on Excel…
P a g e | 17
In other words, this is “Macro1” before I start any action on Excel.
No actions
recorded yet
This is “Macro1” after I select the cell A1 on Excel…
P a g e | 18
This is “Macro1” after I write the words “Hello world” on the cell A1 and press
Enter:
This is “Macro1” after I select the cell A1 again and delete the content:
P a g e | 19
If you have never recorded a Macro, you have understood little of what was
written on the code windows above. Don’t worry; you will learn the Excel VBA
basics on the chapter: How Excel VBA works on page 81. This way you will
better interpret instructions, get rid of fat code and turn specific Macros into
general ones.
You will learn now the essential behavior of the Excel Macro recorder…
P a g e | 20
3. How the Excel Macro Recorder Works
“Computers have lots of

memory but no
imagination”
Author Unknown
T
he Excel macro recorder is a built-in engine that traces and stores your
actions in Excel; its capabilities and features must be understood so you
record efficient macros.
Additionally, you will need the Macro recorder even after you learn how
to write macros from scratch; I still use it to record simple macros and as
an Excel VBA content provider.
So let’s start…
3.1. The Excel recorder registers every action you

perform on Excel
On your audio recording device; while the Record button is pressed,
everything is recorded: your voice and the background noise. On Excel; the
same thing happens; while it is in recording mode every action is recorded.
These actions might be: selecting a cell, writing a formula, scrolling, formatting
a cell, zooming, etc.
And every action is written on a line per line basis.
Give a look…
P a g e | 21
Action 1
Action 2
Action 3
Action 4
The same way a voice recording captures your hesitations and background
noise, the Macro recorder captures everything you do, including your
mistakes and incidental actions.
Tip
Overlooked actions like: minimizing a window, adding a workbook, closing

the current workbook, zooming, etc. are also recorded
P a g e | 22
Look at Macro1 again (below) but now pay attention to some incidental actions
I performed while recording the Macro…
Incidental action 1. Incidental action 2. Selecting

Maximizing the window “Sheet2” to make a visual
check of a given cell
Incidental action 4
Incidental action 3.
Getting back to
“Sheet1”
3.2. The Excel recorder generates a VBA instruction

after the given action has been performed on Excel
When you record your voice, you need to talk first so the recording device
captures your speech; the same thing happens with Excel Macros.
You need to perform an action on Excel (see left window below) so the Excel
recorder registers it. See below…
Selection first
Recording later
This is one of the main shortcomings to develop smart applications. A Macro

does not have flow control, it starts and ends. It has no anticipation, no
decision.
P a g e | 23
The unique way to build smart applications is by improving a Macro or

by writing it from scratch.
Let’s see the next feature…
3.3. The Excel recorder changes the “properties” of

Excel objects programmatically
At first sight the produced VBA language is Greek; nothing more far from truth.
Decode the VBA language grammar quickly by reading a short

introduction to objects…
On the real world, your hair has properties: length, color, type; you can cut it,
change its shape, etc. Your hair behaves in specific ways: it grows, it falls, etc.
Some properties can be changed, like the color. Yes you can apply a cosmetic
treatment and turn your black hair into red, blond, etc.
Some properties are read-only, you can know them but you can’t change them.
For example: your hair type: curly, straight.
Let’s summarize the features of your hair…
• A hair Property is what you hair is: length, color, etc.

• A hair Method is what you can do with your hair: cut it, change its shape
• A hair Event is how it behaves: it grows, it falls, etc.
Now back to Excel…
Excel has properties and methods too, and you can manipulate them by using
VBA language.
You are fully aware of the way you change properties of Excel objects, you
know how to change the color of a cell, the font, the name of a sheet, etc. But
you are not quite aware of how to change them programmatically; a Macro
preforms that very easily. Let’s see it…
Record a new Macro…
P a g e | 24
Then, change the column A width…
On the background, Excel translates that into VBA code. For now, imagine there
is one by one correspondence between everything you do on Excel and the VBA
code.
So the above action would produce the following code…
P a g e | 25
Now do this action…
It would produce the following code…
This other action …
P a g e | 26
Would produce this code …
3.4. The Excel recorder uses the “methods” of Excel

Objects programmatically
The same way you change the properties, you use the methods of Excel objects
when you cut a cell, delete a sheet, open a workbook, etc.
Here are some examples of how the Excel recorder uses Excel methods:
The following action…
Would produce the following code…
P a g e | 27
Here is another example:
This action…
Would produce this code…
3.5. Using “Relative Reference” produces different

VBA code
These actions…
• Cut A1
• Select B1
• Paste
Paste
Cut
are recorded differently when you set the reference of the Macro to absolute…
P a g e | 28
Here’s the produced Macro…
When you run this Macro it will

always select the Range(“A1”)
How do you set an absolute reference?
On Excel 2007 go to View>Macros>Click on the drop down arrow; and then…
Don’t press it
On Excel 2003, use the “Stop Recording” toolbar (displayed in recording mode)
Now if you perform the same actions above: cut, select and paste but using
relative reference, you would get a code like this one…
When you run this Macro it will

select the active cell instead of
Range(“A1”)
P a g e | 29
Using relative reference is critical if you want to create Macros that

work for variable-size arrays and workbooks.
How do you set the reference to Relative? See below…
On Excel 2007 go to View>Macros>Click on the drop down arrow; and then…
Press it
On Excel 2003, use the “Stop Recording” toolbar (displayed in recording mode)
Tip
You can change the reference from absolute to relative and vice versa
while you record.
This has been all about how the Excel recorder works.
Now, let me share to you everything about…
P a g e | 30
4. How to Plan the Recording of an Excel

Macro
“Simplicity is the ultimate

sophistication”
Leonardo Da Vinci
R
ecording a Macro is very easy from the point of view of the initiation
process; you launch the Record Macro command and Excel starts to
record everything you do.
The Excel recorder will also record your mistakes so…
If you want to record Macros that make what you want, you need to do some
extra steps. I will show them below.
But before you plan a Macro, you must answer the question…
Can this given task be done without Macros? You will know it to the extent you
know the available functions and commands of Excel.
Here’s an example: not many users know how to transpose a column into a row
and vice versa.
P a g e | 31
You can do this by using the Transpose option of the Paste Special command
but if you don’t know this, you would intend to record a Macro.
It is not good to try to reinvent the wheel.
Overlooking available Excel commands leads you to record

unnecessary Macros.
Tip
You will avoid recording unnecessary Macros as long as you know more
about Excel available features.
Now that you are ready to record a Macro, here’s the process to make it
efficiently…
4.1. Get rid of unsystematic stuff

Imagine you have a database like the one shown below with thousands of
registers in raw format on column A. All the records are separated by one row,
except the first group that is separated by two rows. See below…
P a g e | 32
Only this group is

separated by two rows
The purpose of your Macro is to turn each block of data into a line (table
format). The formatting would be something like this one:
Recording a Macro in such circumstances would demand you create a Macro for
two conditions. Yes you can do it, but let me ask you a question: is the
development time worth the effort? It would be better to delete that row and
record a Macro for a version of the report that has one row separation between
blocks of data.
Some prototyping measures include:
• Pasting all the data into the same sheet

• Leaving the same amount of space between data
• Get rid of random stuff
• Any other measure to uniform the data
P a g e | 33
Tip
Don’t try to make your Excel Macro EXCESSIVELY universal at least the
benefits will pay off the development time and effort.
Tip
You can do the prototyping actions with a Macro.
4.2. Break the Macro into smaller chunks

Henry Ford stated that any task can be done if it is divided in enough doable
parts.
Plan your keystrokes by dividing them in workable parts.
You decide what is doable for you. Here are some examples:
• Formatting, editing, etc.

• Moving cells, deleting rows, writing field headers, etc.
• You can be as detailed as you prefer
For the case above, you can divide the Macro in two stages:
1. Arrange data (move cells and delete the inter-block row)
Move cells
Delete row
And…
P a g e | 34
2. Creating the table headings

Write table headers
Don’t worry about having separate Macros; you can run them separately or
merge them very easily. See: How to merge two or more Macros on page 50.
Another idea is to perform a kind of dress rehearsal, this way you detect
bottlenecks; with this information you can decide how to make the Recording
Macro process more manageable.
It doesn’t hurt to try and make mistakes; given the fact that you
create a backup to restore it at any time.
Tip
Recording a Macro in a relaxed manner helps you to minimize incidental

actions and mistakes.
4.3. Define the type of Macro: specific or generally-

applicable Macro
If all your tables would have 100 rows and 5 columns, just one Macro would
work all the time; but your Excel tables usually come with more or less data.
Hopefully, you can record a Macro that runs on variable conditions including
variable-size arrays and variable-location.
Here’s how to do define a Macro that will work for variable conditions…
Use relative reference

Imagine you want a Macro that adds field headers (Name and City) to a table.
See below…
But the tables are not on the same position, see tables below…
P a g e | 35
You want to add

field headers here You want to add
field headers here
The relative reference makes your Macro works based on the position
of the cursor when you recorded the Macro.
The cursor was here

before recording the The cursor must be here
Macro before running the Macro
Or this other way…
The cursor was here

before recording the The cursor must be here
Macro before running the Macro
Choose the location of the cursor carefully so you can remember that
position easily in the future when running the Macro.
How do you activate the relative reference parameter?
It is very easy…
On Excel 2007/2010, go to: View>Macros>Macros

P a g e | 36
Activate this option
On Excel 2003, activate it by using the “Stop Recording” toolbar (displayed

while you are recording):
For example: I recorded the process shown below (writing of title, date and
table headings) in a Macro with relative reference…
The cursor was here before I

recorded the Macro
Even I recorded the actions starting on cell “A1”, the Macro will work on any
cell I run it, see below…
The cursor must be here

before I run the Macro
The cursor must be here

before I run the Macro
P a g e | 37
Now look at how Excel records a Macro with relative references…
The Macro does not use static

ranges like Range (“A1”)
Tip
Absolute or relative reference setting can be changed during the recording
If you want to create the same table always at one location, whatever the
position of the cursor; you need to use absolute reference…
Use absolute reference

Use this option when your Macros will be applied on the same location all the
time. See below…
Deactivate this option
For example, if you record the actions that produce the table formatting below
using absolute reference, the table will be always produced at that location.
This table will be always

produced at this location
P a g e | 38
See how the Macro starts…

Always starts on A1
4.4. Plan only one instance

On the example below, you want to rearrange thousands of groups of raw data
into table format.
You need to plan one block because the rest is the same. The Macro is the
processing of one block repeated thousands times.
Plan this block

only
These blocks are

the same
Focus on having one block right, the rest is just repeating.
4.5. Finish the Macro Smartly

When you have thousands of blocks that repeat like the case shown above, you
must record a block and finish the Macro at the start of the next block. In other
words, the Macro will start on block 1 and will finish on the beginning of the
block 2. Don’t forget to set reference to relative.
P a g e | 39
If you assign a shortcut to a given Macro you can execute it thousands of times
with a simple keyboard pressing. This practice is great when you don’t want to
use loops or have not learned to use them yet.
Tip
Record a Macro at the start of one block and finish it at the start of the
next block.
4.6. Backup the file before recording

Take into account that the actions are not undoable when you are recording a
Macro. In consequence, avoid headaches.
Get room for mistakes.
Use the Save As command or make a copy using the Windows Explorer. You
can also make a copy of the sheet you will apply the Macro on.
Now you are ready to learn…
P a g e | 40
5. How to Record an Excel Macro
“Man is still the most

extraordinary computer of
all”
John F. Kennedy
R
ecording a Macro is a linear process, you cannot move forward/backward
and you cannot undo the recorded actions. Assuming you have planned
your Macro, here you will learn how to record it.
In a nutshell…
To record a Macro, proceed this way…
On Excel 2007 or 2010 go to: View>Record Macro>Macro name:>Ok or click

the Macro icon at the status bar…
After you click the Ok button, Excel turns to recording mode. The status bar
always indicates that Excel is in recording mode, see below…
On Excel 2003, go to: Tools>Macro>Record New Macro>Macro name:>Ok.
Excel 2003 shows “Recording” at the status bar to let you know it is in
recording mode…
This is just the beginning of the recording process. Let’s go into details now…
P a g e | 41
5.1. Where to place the cursor before recording a

Macro?
This step is critical. It defines the reusability of the Macro.
The starting location of the cursor does not matter when you are recording
Macros using absolute reference.
On the other hand; the location of the cursor is critical when you are recording
Macros using relative reference. Before you record a Macro, place the cursor at
“the start” of any given sequence of actions. Choose a place that is
reproducible later when running the macro. See below…
Place the cursor here
before recording
Always place your cursor at the right place before you launch the
Record Macro command.
Tip
Place your cursor at a border location you will easily remember later.
5.2. Where to place the cursor before stopping a

Macro?
The last position of the cursor does not matter when you are recording Macros
using absolute reference.
P a g e | 42
On the other hand; the ending location of the cursor is critical when you are
recording Macros using relative reference. Before you stop a Macro place the
cursor at “the start” of any given NEXT sequence of actions. See below…
Place the cursor here before

stopping the Macro
What happens when you do this? Your Macro will move across blocks
of data on each run.
Tip
Assign a shortcut to a Macro to execute it with ease
5.3. How to set up a Macro

You should set all the parameters of a Macro: Name, Shortcut, Store Macro in,
and Description. Here I will show you how to do it…
Use a descriptive name

You create Macros for reusing them; so a good name increases the usability of
a Macro. It allows you to pick the right Macro on the dialog or on the code
window.
P a g e | 43
For example: compare these names “Macro1”, “OpenWorkbook”. See below…
You can discern what the Macro does by looking at the name. Additionally, you
will remember Macros weeks or months later.
A good practice is to start a Macro name with a verb followed by the name of
the object it affects (start each section in uppercase), for example:
• OpenWorkbook
• CloseExcel
• DeleteFormat
• ChangeColorCell
• ChangeColorFont
Set a shortcut
This also increases the usability of a Macro. You run a Macro from two
keystrokes instead of searching the Macro on the Macro dialog list.
On the Record Macro dialog, specify the shortcut key by just typing the letter
you want to assign to the Macro. The shortcut key text box is case sensitive…
P a g e | 44
You can change the shortcut and description later by going to the Macro dialog
and click the Options button. See below…
Define where to store the Macro

There are two options
• Storing the Macro on a workbook. This forces you to open the file to run
the Macro
P a g e | 45
• Storing the Macro on a binary file workbook (PERSONAL workbook). This

enables you to run the Macro without opening any file. In other words, a
given Macro will be available for all workbooks of a given Excel session
Learn more about where to store your macros on the chapter: How to Integrate
an Excel Macro into your Workbooks on page 54
Set a description
You forget what a Macro does hours later, so provide a description about its
purpose, and specify any detail needed for the correct use.
This is more important if the Macro will be used by other users.
The description can be edited later using the “Options…” button of the Macro
dialog
5.4. How to record a generally-applicable Macro

As explained above, this must be done when you want the Macro runs on
different positions from where it was recorded and for different array sizes.
6. Learn more about how to develop adaptable Macros by going to: Make your
Macro valid for starting everywhere in the sheet on page 125.
Press the toolbar button: Use Relative References. The button is then
highlighted.
P a g e | 46
5.5. How to record a specific Macro

The absolute reference is set by default.
Tip
You can change reference setting while recording.
5.6. How to start the recording

Assuming that your cursor is on the correct position (for generally-applicable
Macros) you just need to hit the Ok button and record the actions you have
planned.
Relax please, if things go wrong, you have a backup copy to try it again.
5.7. How to modify the Macro while you record

Split the windows (Excel VBA editor and Excel) so you know what lines are
added as you execute movements on Excel. This way, you get awareness of the
way each action is turned into VBA code.
P a g e | 47
See below…
If you commit mistakes or perform incidental actions, you can delete them “on
the go” and keep recording. See below…
Delete these lines

of code and keep
recording
Take care to not delete the last Selection statement. e.g. Range(“A2”).Select ;
when the next instruction depends on it.
Take care to not delete the “End Sub” statement. It is required for Excel to
recognize where the macro ends.
Tip
The new Macro code will be always written at the bottom of your last line
in the Sub procedure.
5.8. How to stop the recording of a Macro?

Once you have performed the last operation, you are ready to stop the
recording of the Macro.
P a g e | 48
Take into account the fact that you can delete instructions in a Macro while you
are recording so it is not necessary to stop it each time you make a mistake.
Additionally, you can take notes of the portions that need to be
deleted/modified and keep going.
If you are finished or you want to stop the Macro because you made huge
mistakes, do it this way…
By clicking the stop icon on the status bar (Excel 2007 and 2010)
Or by going to: View>Macros>Stop Recording
On Excel 2003, the “Stop Recording” toolbar is shown automatically after you
start recording. See toolbar below…
Sometimes, you close this toolbar by mistake and don’t know how to stop the
recording of a Macro; you can do it by going to Tools>Macro>Stop Recording.
Or you can show the toolbar again by right clicking on the toolbar area and
activate the “Stop Recording” toolbar. See below…
P a g e | 49
5.9. How to modify the code after you record a Macro

If you are not comfortable with the code being created it is time to improve it.
To make even minor modifications you need at least a basic foundation of Excel
VBA knowledge. See: How Excel VBA works on page 81 for a quick introduction.
If the modifications are big enough, there is no alternative than record the
Macro again or write it from scratch (out of the scope of this book).
5.10. How to merge two or more Macros
Not all Macros are recorded in one sitting; you can enhance an existing Macro
or record new lines apart and add them to an existing Macro.
How do you do it?
Just open the module that contains the Sub procedure (Macro), place the
cursor on the desired location and paste instructions recorded in other Macros.
P a g e | 50
Open the module
Here is an example of how to merge code…
This Macro writes “Hello world” on cell A1
P a g e | 51
This other Macro does the same on A1 of the Sheet2
This is a new Macro: Macro 1 + Macro 11
Or macro11 nested in macro1
You can also paste code to the Macro while recording.
P a g e | 52
Tip
Keep aware that the Selection statements instructions of the pasted code
are corresponding to the preceding and subsequent lines.
P a g e | 53
6. How to Integrate an Excel Macro into

your Workbooks
“I do not fear computers. I

fear the lack of them”
Isaac Asimov
W
hen you travel, bringing your camera with you is not enough; if the
camera is stored on a bag difficult to open, you will lose important
shots. It is better to carry the camera on your hand.
Now your Macro lies dormant in some module. It is of no value to your

productivity if you cannot access it easily and at the right time.
Here you will learn:
• Where to put your recorded Macros (recorded by you or received from

others)
• How to make a Macro available to all workbooks
• How to make a Macro available to the workbook where it was created
To access a Macro effectively you must first know where it is located. You
specify this at the moment of recording. Macros are stored in Modules (.bas).
Let’s start…
6.1. How to access a Macro from the workbook it was

created
Every workbook has its own modules where Macros can be stored. All these
Macros can be accessed from the given parent workbook. See below…
P a g e | 54
How do you make a Macro available to a workbook?
You need to put it into a module of the given workbook.
How do you do that?
You have three options:
1) Specify the location at the moment of recording
Set the field “Store Macro in:” to This Workbook or New Workbook. See below…
What happens when you use this option?
P a g e | 55
Excel creates a module (Module1 by default) with a Sub procedure with the
name “Macro13” or the name you specify on the “Macro name:” text box
Tip
Changing the name of the module or the Sub won’t affect their listing on
the Macro dialog.
2) Paste a Macro into a workbook module
You can also create your own modules and store Macros there. See below…
P a g e | 56
All the Macros contained in modules are displayed in the Macro dialog. See
below…
For editing and managing purposes, it is a good practice to locate Macros in

related modules with meaningful names.
P a g e | 57
Keep in mind that those macros that contain arguments are not displayed on
the Macro dialog.
This macro (with

arguments) is not listed on
the Macro dialog
You can also store your Macros on .txt files. Later, you can copy and paste the
code into a module of any given workbook.
P a g e | 58
3) Import a module
Another way to bring a Macro into a workbook is by importing a module.
On the Visual basic editor, go to:
File>Import File…
Or right click on the Project Explorer (CTRL + R) and choose Import File…
Once your Macro is on a module of a given workbook you can call it using
several methods…
Access a Macro from the Macro Dialog

Launch the Macro dialog by pressing ALT + F8. Then, choose “Macros in:” and
select This Workbook (the Macros are listed on the pane below “Macro name:”).
Then select the Macro you want to run and hit Run.
P a g e | 59
Access a Macro from a shape, picture, or graph

The above method is not so good because you need to perform some clicks to
run a Macro.
If you want to run a Macro with a mouse click, then you need to run Macros
from graphic Excel objects like: shapes, pictures, graphs. It is very easy….
Insert any of these objects and right click over the object and then click Assign
Macro. See below…
On the Assign Macro dialog, choose the desired Macro.
Now your button is clickable!
Add an extra touch…
Right click over the button and choose “Edit text”…
P a g e | 60
You can create fancy buttons!
Tip
You can copy and paste a button to other workbook. The path of the
Macro will be kept
P a g e | 61
Access a Macro from a shortcut

Configure the shortcut when you start recording a Macro.
If you forget to specify the shortcut at the moment of the recording, you can
specify a shortcut later on the Macro dialog. Do it by going to: ALT +
F8>Options>Shortcut key:
See below…
P a g e | 62
Access a Macro from an Event

You can also launch a Macro when the user changes a cell, when a book is
opened, etc.
You can use the events of each object. Here is how you can do it…
On the Project Explorer window (CTRL + R), double click on the object for
which you want to specify the Macro…
I used Sheet1 for this example; then, on the code window, choose Worksheet.
See below…
Choose object
Then choose the event…
Choose event
P a g e | 63
Then paste the Macro you want to be executed when Sheet1 changes…
Or you can also call the Macro that is located in some module of the current
project…
6.2. How to access a Macro from any workbook

To make a Macro available to all your workbooks and from any session of Excel
you must store it in the Personal workbook. The Personal workbook is a binary
file (.xlsb) saved in a central location. The Macros on this workbook are visible
to all books in any Excel session. See below…
P a g e | 64
How do you do that?
Specify the location at the moment of recording
Set the field “Store Macro in:” to Personal Macro Workbook. See below…
At the moment of running the Macro, it is not necessary you open the Personal
Macro Workbook. See below…
P a g e | 65
This book is
automatically shown
Tip
By default the location of the personal workbook is:
Windows Vista: C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Excel\XLStart
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Application

Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLStart
Now that your given Macro is properly stored, you can…
Access a Macro from the Ribbon (Excel 2007)

Unfortunately, Excel 2007 does not allow you to customize the Ribbon.
The most you can do is to personalize the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)…
P a g e | 66
Do it this way…
1. Right click over any area of the Ribbon and choose “Customize Quick
Access Toolbar…”
2. Choose Macros from the “Choose commands from:” list…
3. Select the Macro you want to add to the QAT and click on the Add>>
button…
P a g e | 67
4. Click on “Modify…” and assign a meaningful name:
Your QAT is ready…
Access a Macro from the Ribbon (Excel 2010)

Now that your Macro can be called from any workbook, it is a good idea to
create a dedicated Ribbon.
P a g e | 68
Just to refresh your knowledge of the Excel Ribbon, let’s familiarize with the
components again…
Tab
Group
Commands Commands Group
In 2010 you MUST create a new tab to be able to add new commands and
macros. The existing tabs can only be modified to remove commands, new
commands or macros cannot be added.
Create a new tab with groups and commands (Macros) by proceeding this
way…
5. Right click over any area of the Ribbon and choose “Customize the
Ribbon…”
6. Click on New Tab
P a g e | 69
7. Right click on the new tab and choose Rename. Assign a meaningful
name
8. Right click on the default group created and choose Rename. Assign a
name. See below…
9. Choose Macros from the “Choose commands from:” list…
P a g e | 70
10. Select the Macro you want to add to the selected group and click on the
Add>> button…
11. Right click over the recently added Macro and choose Rename. Assign a
meaningful name and icon. See below…
Your new Tab is ready to use.
P a g e | 71
Tip
You can export your Ribbon personal configuration and load it on any other
PC.
Access a Macro from a toolbar (Excel 2003)

create a dedicated toolbar.
Just to refresh your knowledge of the old Excel toolbar system, let’s familiarize
with the components again…
Toolbar
Commands
You can create a new toolbar with commands (Macros).
Proceed this way…
1. Right click over any toolbar and choose Customize from the contextual
menu.
P a g e | 72
2. Click on New… in the Toolbars tab and assign a meaningful name. See
below…
3. Click on Commands tab>Categories: and go to Macros. Then drag and

drop a Custom Button (Commands: area) to the recently created toolbar.
See below…
P a g e | 73
4. Right click over the recently created button and click “Assign Macro…”.
Choose the Macro to link to the button.
P a g e | 74
5. Modify the appearance of the button by right clicking on it and choosing:

Edit Button Image, Name, etc.
Now your new toolbar is ready
You may also place a macro command on an existing toolbar.
Access a Macro from a menu (Excel 2003)

create a dedicated menu.
P a g e | 75
Just to refresh your knowledge of the old Excel menu, let’s familiarize with the
components again…
Menu
Command
Command
Proceed this way…
1. Right click over any toolbar and choose Customize from the contextual
menu.
2. Click on Commands tab>Categories: and select “New menu”. Then drag

and drop the “New Menu” button (Commands: area) to the desired
location in the menu area. See below…
P a g e | 76
A new menu is created
3. Click on Macros and then drag and drop a “Custom Button” to the
recently created menu.
P a g e | 77
4. Right click on the recently created button and then click assign Macro.
P a g e | 78
Proceed the same way as explained above in Access a Macro from a toolbar
(Excel 2003) on page 72.
You may also place a macro on an existing menu.
6.3. Where to put a Macro you receive from others

First, open the workbook that contains the Macro, go to the module and copy
the procedure, then open the destination workbook and open or create a
module and paste the Sub procedure.
You can also import any given module.
6.4. How to stop the execution of a Macro

You know how to run a Macro but what happens when the Macro is taking too
much time or the Macro don’t do what you want?
You can stop a Macro while it is running by pressing the Esc key.
And then, by pressing the End button. See below…
P a g e | 79
Press the End

button
6.5. What to do when your Macro don’t do what you

want
If a Macro doesn’t do what you want, you have three lines of actions:
• Recording it again,
• Fine-tuning it or
• Writing it from scratch
Writing a Macro from scratch is out of the scope of this book but now I will
show you how to improve your Excel Macros.
P a g e | 80
7. How Excel VBA works
“Those parts of the system

that you can hit with a
hammer (not advised) are
called hardware; those
program instructions that
you can only curse at are
called software.”
Author Unknown
I
magine you are going to spend your next vacation on Japan, you don’t
know Japanese but you equip with a 3-phrase vocabulary:
• How much is it?
• Where do I find cheap hotels?
• How can I reach the airport?
After landing, your trip is going wonderful but suddenly your little son feels sick
at the zoo…How do you ask for help? The three phrases serve too little. To
succeed in capricious situations, you need a wider lexicon.
Recording Macros without knowing Excel VBA language is the same situation,
you soon face disorientation because you don’t know what the VBA code does
and how to adapt your script to new situations like making your Macros work
for variable-size arrays and workbooks.
You can only be efficient on real social environment by understanding the

language grammar so you can construct new expressions as new needs arise.
At the same time, to get ahead on your automation requirements you must
understand the basic principles of Excel VBA so you record Macros with
confidence and alter its code to suit your needs.
This book enables you to record efficient Macros and to gain a reasonable Excel
VBA grammar awareness so you deal with new situations with more confidence.
Let’s understand the Excel VBA language better…
P a g e | 81
Have you played Mario Bros videogame?
I bet you did! If not, you are somehow familiar with it because your children
play it or because you have seen some TV commercial.
Anyway…
Let’s imagine for a moment you are a skilled video game developer (a coder)
and you are creating the Mario character (the tiny guy on red dress below) for
a new version of the game…
As the developer, you must define his behavior and unique characteristics so
players can manipulate Mario using a joystick.
So by the means of game designing tools you set all his features…
You first define his properties (physical and non-physical):
• Hair color
• Dress color
• Height
• Score
P a g e | 82
You also define the actions he will perform (methods):
• Walk
• Run
• Jump
Finally, you define the consequences of the actions Mario executes (events); for
example: if an enemy kills Mario, he will die.
You cannot create a command to make it die because nobody dies by

command. Dying is a consequence of being killed, being ill, etc. The events you
would create are:
• Height increase (when Mario eats a mushroom). Mario has two height
modes: short (by default) and tall (after he eats a mushroom)

• Height reducing (when he is hit by an enemy while he is in tall mode)
• Die (when he is hit by an enemy while he is in short mode)
Mario is ready.
He is now an object with behavior and characteristics. By using the same

developing means you must specify how the properties, methods and events
interact with the user. In other words, how Mario would interact when a user
uses a joystick. Any given player can change Mario height property by eating a
mushroom or he can make him run, jump, etc.
Let’s imagine you write the instructions in plain English…
If Mario eats a mushroom, then change the height of Mario to 5 pixels, or you
can use a more structured syntax:
IF Mario eats a mushroom THEN Mario height = 5 pixels
In VBA language this would be…
Mario.height = 5
P a g e | 83
In Excel VBA you do it this way…
• Range("A1").ColumnWidth = 30
• Range("A1").Font.Size = 12
• Worksheets("Sheet2").Name = "Data"
• Etc
Now let’s talk about the methods…
When you give instructions in real life, you provide further specifications so the
given action is completed adequately. For example: bring me a hamburger
without tomato, stop the car before the white line, etc.
For the above case, the arguments for the command “bring me” are: what
(hamburger) and how (without tomato).
If a player uses joystick buttons to make Mario run slowly to the left, you would
say in plain English…
Run Mario at slow speed to the left.
In VBA language this would be…
Mario.Run (slow, left)
“slow” and “left” are arguments for the Run method.
Some methods do not require any argument like: jump Mario.
Using VBA language this would be…
Mario.Jump
In Excel VBA you do it this way…
• Range(“A1”).Select
• Range(“A1”).ClearComments
• Worksheets(“Sheet1”).Delete
• Etc
Now you know the nature of objects and the rudiments of VBA syntax.
So then, what is an Excel Macro?
In a nutshell…
A Macro is a set of instructions that gets/modifies properties of Excel

objects and executes their methods.
P a g e | 84
It’s all about that. It is that simple!
Tip
You cannot record Macros for object Events but you can use Excel object
events when you write Macros from scratch.
7.1. VBA syntax

To give an instruction in real world you use English, to give an instruction to
Excel you use VBA language.
And the syntax is as follows…
To change an object property, use the following syntax…
Objectname.PropertyNameHere = value assigned to property
To get the value of an object property, use the following syntax…
Value gotten from property = Objectname. PropertyNameHere
Now let me show you a real VBA syntax example…
I assign 8.5 width to the column A…
Columns("A:A").ColumnWidth = 8.5
To execute an object method, use the following syntax…
Objectname.MethodNameHere (argument1 of the method, argument2 of

the method, argumentN of the method)
Here I show you an example that executes the Select method of the range
"A1:D1":
Range("A1:D1").Select
Where do you find the full syntax for a particular object and their members
(properties, methods and events)?
Go to: How to find Excel Objects’ properties and methods? On page 88
This has been a quick and practical introduction to Excel VBA grammar.
Do you still find Excel VBA as Greek?
P a g e | 85
You have a hard time because you try to match the VBA syntax to English
grammar. Keep in mind that languages are arbitrary assignments of meaning to
symbols. Give a look at these representations of a “building” in different
languages:
Building (English)
Edificio (Spanish)
KTÍpio (Greek)
Can you find a trace of a building in the words: edificio or KTÍpio?
I bet you didn’t…
Human languages work because a group of people accepts a set of symbols

and give them unique meaning.
So if you want to fully master Excel VBA grammar, you need to accept its
arbitrariness the same way you accept the conventions of English.
Tip
In English there is no a unique way to convey meaning, for example

“Susan, paint the wall”, “please Susan paint the wall”, etc.
Also, in VBA language, you can convery meaning in several correct ways.
7.2. Excel objects’ properties and methods

An Excel Macro is a group of instructions written in VBA language. A Macro
modifies properties and executes methods of Excel objects (range, worksheet,
workbook, etc.).
If you want to alter the code of a Macro to get different results, change the
way Excel modifies the properties of objects and the way it executes
objects’ methods.
P a g e | 86
To modify an Excel Macro you need to ask these two questions:
• What Excel Object property do I want to change?

• What Excel Object method do I want to execute?
Now you are wondering what properties and methods you can use to modify
Excel programmatically?
Let me ask you three more questions…
• Have you changed the name of a sheet?

• Have you opened a book?
• Have you delete the content of a cell?
You have answered yes to all the above questions so…you are already familiar
with the behavior of many of Excel objects: Cells, Sheets, Columns, Charts,
Pivot Tables, etc.
See below an outline of some common properties and methods of common

objects…
Now, you might me be asking…
P a g e | 87
7.3. How to find Excel Objects’ properties and

methods?
What happens when you learn how to modify and access properties and
methods?
You acquire a key VBA competency. You need this knowledge to make
Macros do what you want.
So then if properties and methods are so important, where do I start?
Properties and methods are related to any given object so first identify the
object you want to manipulate:
• Range
• Worksheet
• Workbook, etc.
The names of the members (properties and methods) are in English

and are meaningful. For example:
• Borders
• ClearComments
• ActiveCell
• SpellingOptions
• MergeCells, etc.
Use these handy techniques to find properties and methods…
Record instructions in a new Macro and then copy and paste them on
the Macro you are modifying
Use the Macro recorder as a VBA code provider.
As simple as it sounds, if you want to add a line of code that write a formula in
a given cell, record that action in a Macro and then copy and paste the
produced code.
If you want to change the font of a cell, record that action and then copy and
paste that code.
Get assistance from the “Auto List Members” command while you
write
I love this way of knowing the properties and methods.
Avoid writing code from scratch, type CTRL + J to launch the “Auto List
Members” feature. You can also launch this feature by using the Edit toolbar…
P a g e | 88
See below…
Press CTRL + J while

you are here
What is shown on the “Auto List Members” list?
You see the available members at the current slot. See below…
Methods for Range(“A1”)
Properties for
Range(“A1”)
Use the up/down arrows to navigate through members and the Tab/Enter key
to accept a choice.
The Auto List member feature is automatically displayed after entering a point
So you can choose the desired property or method…

P a g e | 89
And complete the expression…
For any given method, its arguments are provided after you type the space bar
or write a parenthesis…
Tip
Identify object methods with this symbol
Identify object properties with this symbol
Identify object events with this symbol
Use the VBA editor Help section

For Excel 2007 users…
While you are on the VBA editor, press F1 or go to the Help menu. Then
choose: Excel Object Model Reference, then pick the object and then browse
the members list…
P a g e | 90
1) Pick the
Excel Object
Model
4) Browse the
members
2) Pick the
object
3) Pick
members
For Excel 2003 users…
While you are on the VBA editor, press F1 or go to the Help menu. Then type
the name of the object on the search box…
And then choose the desired topic from the results…
P a g e | 91
Or you can use the help to navigate through…
Use the Object browser

The object browser is a pane that contains all the objects and their members
organized.
While you are on the Visual Basic editor, press F2 to launch it. Then, choose the
VBA library…
P a g e | 92
After that, pick any given object on the left pane and explore its members
(properties, methods and events) on the right pane…
Objects
Members: properties,
methods and events
You can copy the object’s syntax from the pane and paste it on any given code
window. Use right click or CTRL + C. See below…
Use the Local Windows

This is a more advanced technique…
Create this Macro:
P a g e | 93
And then, to the right of the (=) sign, write the object you want to know more
about, for example: a Range object…Now execute the Macro step by step this
way:
1. Place the cursor inside the “storeobject” procedure and then

2. Press F8, each press will run a line, do it until you execute the “Set
myobject” line.
3. Then launch the local windows by going to View>Locals Window and
explore the members. You can change the properties and see the impact
on Excel. Split vertically the VBA editor and the Excel windows for better
understanding
Click the object to see its Explore or change the

members properties
The above methods are great to get the full syntax and help about any object
property and method.
If you want to go deeper in the Excel Objects universe, come with me, I will
show you the…
P a g e | 94
7.4. Excel Object Model revealed

The Excel object model is a necessary conceptual artifact to manage the objects
of an application. Now, you will create a new frame of mind to understand this
concept.
Imagine the earth is composed of one surface and many trees…
Trees
Surface
1 2 3
1 2
Fruits
2
1
Now imagine for a moment you are the creator of this earth. The inventory of
everything on it would be this one…
Now, imagine you give a command to a human to collect the fruit 1 from the
trees.
The human would ask you: the fruit 1 of which tree?
So you need to narrow down your instruction. You would say, bring me the fruit
1 of the tree 2.
P a g e | 95
Now the human is enabled to follow your instruction.
To identify a fruit you must first identify the tree in the collection of trees. Only
after that the fruit “Id” makes sense. In other words, the collection of fruits is
associated to a tree of the collection of trees.
Let’s talk more about collections…
The earth has three collections (notice the “s” at the end, collections are always
plural):
• Trees
• Branches
• Fruits
The collection of trees would be something like this one…
The collection of fruits would be something like this one…
P a g e | 96
But associated to any given tree…
And each object in a given collection has its own features. See below…
P a g e | 97
And some objects don’t belong to any collection but they also has properties
and methods…
An object model is the hierarchy of collections and objects of a whole system.
Here you have a detailed object model of the earth…
P a g e | 98
P a g e | 99
Here is a summarized Excel Object model…
So…
In Excel to access a range object, you must specify which one from which
worksheet and from which workbook.
P a g e | 100
The good news is that you don’t need to name the whole hierarchy if you are
working on a given tree.
While you are working on Tree1, you can refer to Fruit1, Fruit2, etc. of that tree
without additional identification.
On Excel, you don’t need to use the workbook/sheet qualifier all the time.
For example, while the Sheet1 is active, the following code write “Hello world”
on the cell A1 of that sheet.
But, if you want to write “Hello world” on the cell A1 of the Sheet2 (while
Sheet1 is active), you must write the sheet qualifier. See below…
Now let’s explore the…
7.5. Popular Excel VBA Objects

Here’s a list of the most prominent Excel objects and their most used members
(properties and methods).
This list is not exhaustive (additionally, I have not included events).
Range
Here is the list of the 57 (out of 97) most used Range Properties:
Name Description1
Activates a single cell, which must be inside the current selection. To
Activate select a range of cells, use the Select method.
AddComment Adds a comment to the range.
Returns a String value that represents the range reference in the
Address language of the Macro.
AutoFilter Filters a list using the AutoFilter.
Changes the width of the columns in the range or the height of the rows
AutoFit in the range to achieve the best fit.
Adds a border to a range and sets the Color, LineStyle, and Weight
BorderAround properties for the new border. Variant.
1
Source: Microsoft Excel Help
P a g e | 101
Returns a Borders collection that represents the borders of a style or a

Borders range of cells (including a range defined as part of a conditional format).
Cells Returns a Range object that represents the cells in the specified range.
Clear Clears the entire object.
ClearComments Clears all cell comments from the specified range.
ClearContents Clears the formulas from the range.
ClearFormats Clears the formatting of the object.
ClearHyperlinks The description for this item will appear in the final release of Office 14.
Returns the number of the first column in the first area in the specified
Column range. Read-only Long.
Returns a Range object that represents the columns in the specified
Columns range.
Returns a Comment object that represents the comment associated with
Comment the cell in the upper-left corner of the range.
Copy Copies the range to the specified range or to the Clipboard.
Returns a Long value that represents the number of objects in the
Count collection.
Returns a Range object that represents the current region. The current
region is a range bounded by any combination of blank rows and blank
CurrentRegion columns. Read-only.
Cut Cuts the object to the Clipboard or pastes it into a specified destination.
Delete Deletes the object.
Returns a Range object that represents the cell at the end of the region
that contains the source range. Equivalent to pressing END+UP ARROW,
END+DOWN ARROW, END+LEFT ARROW, or END+RIGHT ARROW. Read-
End only Range object.
Find Finds specific information in a range.
Continues a search that was begun with the Find method. Finds the next
cell that matches those same conditions and returns a Range object that
FindNext represents that cell. Doesn’t affect the selection or the active cell.
Font Returns a Font object that represents the font of the specified object.
Returns a FormatConditions collection that represents all the conditional
FormatConditions formats for the specified range. Read-only.
Returns or sets a Variant value that represents the object's formula in A1-
Formula style notation and in the language of the Macro.
Returns or sets the array formula of a range. Returns (or can be set to) a
single formula or a Visual Basic array. If the specified range doesn't
FormulaArray contain an array formula, this property returns null. Read/write Variant.
Returns or sets the formula for the object, using A1-style references in
FormulaLocal the language of the user. Read/write Variant.
P a g e | 102
Returns or sets the formula for the object, using R1C1-style notation in
FormulaR1C1 the language of the Macro. Read/write Variant.
Returns or sets the formula for the object, using R1C1-style notation in
FormulaR1C1Local the language of the user. Read/write Variant.
Returns or sets a Variant value that represents the horizontal alignment
HorizontalAlignment for the specified object.
Returns a Hyperlinks collection that represents the hyperlinks for the
Hyperlinks range.
Inserts a cell or a range of cells into the worksheet or Macro sheet and
Insert shifts other cells away to make space.
Returns an Interior object that represents the interior of the specified
Interior object.
Returns a Range object that represents a range at an offset to the
Item specified range.
Merge Creates a merged cell from the specified Range object.
Name Returns or sets a Variant value that represents the name of the object.
Returns or sets a Variant value that represents the format code for the
NumberFormat object.
Returns a Range object that represents a range that’s offset from the
Offset specified range.
Parses a range of data and breaks it into multiple cells. Distributes the
contents of the range to fill several adjacent columns; the range can be
Parse no more than one column wide.
PasteSpecial Pastes a Range from the Clipboard into the specified range.
Range Returns a Range object that represents a cell or a range of cells.
RemoveDuplicates Removes duplicate values from a range of values.
Returns a Boolean indicating characters in cells within the specified
range. Using this method doesn’t change either the selection or the
Replace active cell.
Returns the number of the first row of the first area in the range. Read-
Row only Long.
Returns a Range object that represents the rows in the specified range.
Rows Read-only Range object.
Select Selects the object.
Sort Sorts a range of values.
Creates a data table based on input values and formulas that you define
Table on a worksheet.
Text Returns or sets the text for the specified object. Read-only String.
TextToColumns Parses a column of cells that contain text into several columns.
UnMerge Separates a merged area into individual cells.
Returns or sets a Variant value that represents the value of the specified
Value range.
Value2 Returns or sets the cell value. Read/write Variant.
Returns or sets a Variant value that represents the vertical alignment of
VerticalAlignment the specified object.
P a g e | 103
Returns a Worksheet object that represents the worksheet containing the

Worksheet specified range. Read-only.
Here are some examples:
Here is the list of the 26 (out of 77) most used Range methods:
Name Description2
Activates a single cell, which must be inside the current
Activate selection. To select a range of cells, use the Select method.
AddComment Adds a comment to the range.
AutoFilter Filters a list using the AutoFilter.
Clear Clears the entire object.
ClearComments Clears all cell comments from the specified range.
ClearContents Clears the formulas from the range.
ClearFormats Clears the formatting of the object.
The description for this item will appear in the final release
ClearHyperlinks of Office 14.
2
P a g e | 104
Copy Copies the range to the specified range or to the Clipboard.

Cuts the object to the Clipboard or pastes it into a specified
Cut destination.
Find Finds specific information in a range.
Continues a search that was begun with the Find method.
Finds the next cell that matches those same conditions and
returns a Range object that represents that cell. Doesn’t
FindNext affect the selection or the active cell.
Inserts a cell or a range of cells into the worksheet or Macro
Insert sheet and shifts other cells away to make space.
Merge Creates a merged cell from the specified Range object.
Parses a range of data and breaks it into multiple cells.
Distributes the contents of the range to fill several adjacent
Parse columns; the range can be no more than one column wide.
PasteSpecial Pastes a Range from the Clipboard into the specified range.
RemoveDuplicates Removes duplicate values from a range of values.
Returns a Boolean indicating characters in cells within the
specified range. Using this method doesn’t change either the
Replace selection or the active cell.
Sort Sorts a range of values.
Creates a data table based on input values and formulas that
Table you define on a worksheet.
Parses a column of cells that contain text into several
TextToColumns columns.
UnMerge Separates a merged area into individual cells.
Here are some examples…
P a g e | 105
Worksheet
Here is the list of the 15 (out of 56) most used Worksheet properties:
Name Desctription 3
Returns a Range object that represents all the cells on the
Cells worksheet (not just the cells that are currently in use.
Returns a Range object that represents all the columns on the
active worksheet. If the active document isn't a worksheet, the
Columns Columns property fails.
Returns a Comments collection that represents all the
Comments comments for the specified worksheet. Read-only.
Returns a Hyperlinks collection that represents the hyperlinks
Hyperlinks for the worksheet.
Returns a Long value that represents the index number of the
Index object within the collection of similar objects.
Returns a collection of ListObject objects in the worksheet.
ListObjects Read-only ListObjects collection.
Returns or sets a String value representing the name of the
Name object.
Returns a Names collection that represents all the worksheet-
specific names (names defined with the "WorksheetName!"
Names prefix). Read-only Names object.
Next Returns a Worksheet object that represents the next sheet.
Previous Returns a Worksheet object that represents the next sheet.
True if the contents of the sheet are protected. This protects
the individual cells. To turn on content protection, use the
Protect method with the Contents argument set to True. Read-
ProtectContents only Boolean.
Returns a Protection object that represents the protection
Protection options of the worksheet.
Range Returns a Range object that represents a cell or a range of cells.
Returns a Range object that represents all the rows on the
Rows specified worksheet. Read-only Range object.
Returns or sets an XlSheetVisibility value that determines
Visible whether the object is visible.
3
P a g e | 106
Here is the list of the 15 (out of 30) most used Worksheet methods:
Name Description4
Activate Makes the current sheet the active sheet.
Calculates all open workbooks, a specific worksheet in a
workbook, or a specified range of cells on a worksheet, as shown
Calculate in the following table.
Returns an object that represents either a single embedded chart
(a ChartObject object) or a collection of all the embedded charts
ChartObjects (a ChartObjects object) on the sheet.
Copy Copies the sheet to another location in the workbook.
Move Moves the sheet to another location in the workbook.
Paste Pastes the contents of the Clipboard onto the sheet.
Pastes the contents of the Clipboard onto the sheet, using a
specified format. Use this method to paste data from other
PasteSpecial applications or to paste data in a specific format.
Returns an object that represents either a single PivotTable
report (a PivotTable object) or a collection of all the PivotTable
PivotTables reports (a PivotTables object) on a worksheet. Read-only.
Creates a new PivotTable report. This method doesn’t display the
PivotTable Wizard. This method isn’t available for OLE DB data
sources. Use the Add method to add a PivotTable cache, and then
PivotTableWizard create a PivotTable report based on the cache.
PrintOut Prints the object.
PrintPreview Shows a preview of the object as it would look when printed.
Protect Protects a worksheet so that it cannot be modified.
SaveAs Saves changes to the chart or worksheet in a different file.
4
Microsoft Excel Help
P a g e | 107

Removes protection from a sheet or workbook. This method has
Unprotect no effect if the sheet or workbook isn't protected.
Here are some examples
Workbook
Here is the list of the 14 (out of 108) most used Workbook properties:
Name Description
Returns a Chart object that represents the active chart
(either an embedded chart or a chart sheet). An
embedded chart is considered active when it's either
selected or activated. When no chart is active, this
ActiveChart property returns Nothing.
Returns an object that represents the active sheet (the
sheet on top) in the active workbook or in the specified
window or workbook. Returns Nothing if no sheet is
ActiveSheet active.
Returns a Sheets collection that represents all the chart
Charts sheets in the specified workbook.
ForceFullCalculation Forces a full calculation of a workbook. Read/write.
Returns the name of the object, including its path on
FullName disk, as a string. Read-only String.
Returns a String indicating the name of the object,
FullNameURLEncoded including its path on disk, as a string. Read-only.
Returns a String value that represents the name of the
Name object.
Returns a Names collection that represents all the
Names names in the specified workbook (including all
P a g e | 108
worksheet-specific names). Read-only Names object.
Returns a String that represents the complete path to

the workbook/file that this workbook object
Path respresents.
True if personal information can be removed from the
specified workbook. The default value is False.
RemovePersonalInformation Read/write Boolean.
True if no changes have been made to the specified
Saved workbook since it was last saved. Read/write Boolean.
Returns a Sheets collection that represents all the
sheets in the specified workbook. Read-only Sheets
Sheets object.
Returns a Windows collection that represents all the
windows in the specified workbook. Read-only
Windows Windows object.
Returns a Sheets collection that represents all the
worksheets in the specified workbook. Read-only
Worksheets Sheets object.
Here is the list of the 8 (out of 65) most used Workbook methods:
Name Description
Activates the first window associated with the
Activate workbook.
Close Closes the object.
Refreshes all external data ranges and PivotTable
RefreshAll reports in the specified workbook.
P a g e | 109
Removes all information of the specified type from

RemoveDocumentInformation the workbook.
Save Saves changes to the specified workbook.
SaveAs Saves changes to the workbook in a different file.
Sends a workbook in an e-mail message for review
SendForReview to the specified recipients.
Sends the workbook by using the installed mail
SendMail system.
Application
Here is the list of the 24 (out of 206) most used Application properties:
Name Description5
Returns a Range object that represents the active cell in the
active window (the window on top) or in the specified
window. If the window isn't displaying a worksheet, this
ActiveCell property fails. Read-only.
Returns a Chart object that represents the active chart
(either an embedded chart or a chart sheet). An embedded
chart is considered active when it's either selected or
activated. When no chart is active, this property returns
ActiveChart Nothing.
Returns or sets the name of the active printer. Read/write
ActivePrinter String.
Returns an object that represents the active sheet (the
sheet on top) in the active workbook or in the specified
ActiveSheet window or workbook. Returns Nothing if no sheet is active.
5
P a g e | 110
Returns a Workbook object that represents the workbook

in the active window (the window on top). Read-only.
Returns Nothing if there are no windows open or if either
the Info window or the Clipboard window is the active
ActiveWorkbook window.
Returns a Range object that represents all the cells on the
active worksheet. If the active document isn’t a worksheet,
Cells this property fails.
Returns a Sheets collection that represents all the chart
Charts sheets in the active workbook.
Returns a Range object that represents all the columns on
the active worksheet. If the active document isn't a
Columns worksheet, the Columns property fails.
Returns a Range object that represents a cell or a range of
Range cells.
Returns a Range object that represents all the rows on the
active worksheet. If the active document isn’t a worksheet,
Rows the Rows property fails. Read-only Range object.
Returns the selected object in the active window for an
Selection Application object.
Returns a Sheets collection that represents all the sheets in
Sheets the active workbook. Read-only Sheets object.
Returns the cell in which the user-defined function is being
ThisCell called from as a Range object.
Returns a Workbook object that represents the workbook
ThisWorkbook where the current Macro code is running. Read-only.
Returns or sets a Boolean value that determines whether
Visible the object is visible. Read/write.
Returns a Workbooks collection that represents all the
Workbooks open workbooks. Read-only.
For an Application object, returns a Sheets collection that
represents all the worksheets in the active workbook. For a
Workbook object, returns a Sheets collection that
represents all the worksheets in the specified workbook.
Worksheets Read-only Sheets object.
Returns a Window object that represents the active
window (the window on top). Read-only. Returns Nothing if
ActiveWindow there are no windows open.
Returns a FileDialog object representing an instance of the
FileDialog file dialog.
Returns a String value that represents the name of the
Name object.
Returns a Names collection that represents all the names in
Names the active workbook. Read-only Names object.
Returns or sets how Microsoft Excel displays cell references
and row and column headings in either A1 or R1C1
ReferenceStyle reference style. Read/write XlReferenceStyle.
P a g e | 111
Returns a Windows collection that represents all the

Windows windows in all the workbooks. Read-only Windows object.
WorksheetFunction Returns the WorksheetFunction object. Read-only.
Here is the list of the 18 (out of 51) most used Application methods:
Name Description
Displays the standard Save As dialog box and gets a file name
GetSaveAsFilename from the user without actually saving any files.
Selects any range or Visual Basic procedure in any workbook, and
Goto activates that workbook if it’s not already active.
Displays a dialog box for user input. Returns the information
InputBox entered in the dialog box.
Runs a specified procedure when a particular key or key
OnKey combination is pressed.
Schedules a procedure to be run at a specified time in the future
(either at a specific time of day or after a specific amount of time
OnTime has passed).
Sets the text of the Undo and the name of the procedure that’s
run if you choose the Undo command (Edit menu) after running
OnUndo the procedure that sets this property.
Quit Quits Microsoft Excel.
Repeat Repeats the last user-interface action.
Undo Cancels the last user-interface action.
Pauses a running Macro until a specified time. Returns True if the
Wait specified time has arrived.
P a g e | 112
Calculates all open workbooks, a specific worksheet in a

workbook, or a specified range of cells on a worksheet, as shown
Calculate in the following table.
CalculateFull Forces a full calculation of the data in all open workbooks.
CheckSpelling Checks the spelling of a single word.
Converts cell references in a formula between the A1 and R1C1
reference styles, between relative and absolute references, or
ConvertFormula both. Variant.
DoubleClick Equivalent to double-clicking the active cell.
Evaluate Converts a Microsoft Excel name to an object or a value.
FindFile Displays the Open dialog box.
Displays the standard Open dialog box and gets a file name from
GetOpenFilename the user without actually opening any files.
P a g e | 113
P a g e | 114
8. How to Make a Macro more Efficient:

Shorter, Faster and Smaller
“The question of whether a

computer can think is no
more interesting than the
question of whether a
submarine can swim”
Edsger W. Dijkstra
E
xcel records everything you do: if you scroll, if you shift sheets to give a
look, if you minimize a window, etc. All these unnecessary lines of VBA
code can be easily detected and deleted without affecting the end result
of a macro.
Why to have redundant code that does not contribute to the end result of your
Macro?
So…
If you find recorded Macros horrible, here you will learn what to
discard and what to keep, and have the same results.
8.1. Delete incidental actions and mistakes

Some of the actions you can delete right away are:
• Scrolling
• Selections of Ranges
• Selections of Sheets
• Zooming
• Any other action that does not add value to the Macro bottom line
The best way to be aware of how the code is produced is by splitting the
Excel VBA editor window and the Excel window.
Right click on the Windows task bar and click on Arrange Windows Vertical
P a g e | 115
Here’s a practical example of Macro fat code…
Incidental actions:
resizing window
Code that matters
Incidental actions:
scrolling, sheet
selection, zooming,
etc.
The enhanced Macro would be this one:
P a g e | 116
8.2. Polish all the “With” structures

When I was learning Macros years ago, I thought I had got it, I said to me:
“Excel records each action after you executes it on the frontend interface”…
But I felt disoriented when I performed a single keystroke and Excel wrote a
paragraph (not a single line as expected).
Try the following: record a Macro that only center-aligns cell A1 using the
alignment tab.
You expect to see a single line of code at the module. Something like this one…
Or something similar to this one…
But you get this amount…
P a g e | 117
This is the action you did

on Excel
But Excel recorded this

bunch of code
Why did Excel produce more VBA code than the actions I performed?
First, let me explain what a “With” structure is…
The concept is very simple, instead of writing all this code:
Selection.HorizontalAlignment = xlCenter
Selection.WrapText = False
Selection.Orientation = 0
Etc…
The “With” statement allows you to perform a series of instructions for the
given object (“Selection” on this case) without re-qualifying the name of the
object.
For the above instructions you would write…
With Selection
.HorizontalAlignment = xlCenter
.WrapText = False
.Orientation = 0
End With
When is a “With” structure produced?
Excel groups VBA instructions into a “With” structure each time you change
Excel properties that come in groups, for example: the Format Cells dialog.
P a g e | 118
If you change a single parameter of the Number tab, Alignment tab, Font tab,
etc. Excel would produce a “With” structure with every parameter configured…
This is also the case of the Page Setup dialog…
See the produced code after I just changed the Paper size to A3…
P a g e | 119
I just changed this

parameter
As you can notice it, Excel set all the parameters under the Page tab.
For the case above, leave only the things you are changing.
For some cases, the “With” structure is not necessary so you can proceed in
two different ways…
P a g e | 120
Delete the additional instructions

Leave only the instructions that matter and delete all the rest. See below…
Delete the “With” structure

Even more efficient, you can delete the with structure (no more necessary)
8.3. Get rid of fat code (unnecessary selections and

references)
Take a look at this phrase:
“John and Ana went to Brazil, John and Ana enjoyed the trip”
The phrase is correct but what is in excess?
It is not necessary to name John and Ana again, you have pronouns which are
quicker as pointers and also as space savers…
This phrase is shorter and equally correct…
P a g e | 121
“John and Ana went to Brazil, they enjoyed the trip”
In Excel this redundancy must be avoided at all cost since it consumes a lot of
resources and delay your Macro.
Let’s see how you can overcome this…
Delete unnecessary Selection statements

Any extra selection statement must be deleted. For example, to write “Hello
world” on the cell A1 you get an extra selection produced when you hit Enter,
see below…
After hitting Enter, Excel records that action too.
Innecesary selection
produced when you hit
Enter
The Macro shown below consumes fewer resources. This is noticeable when
your Macro makes hundreds of selections.…
Don’t delete selections that are used by your Macro. Keep the last selection
statement if it will be used for next instructions.
Delete unnecessary references

Cells don’t need to be selected to work with them.
So you can also delete selections more intelligently…
P a g e | 122
The above Macro becomes this shorter/more-efficient one…
8.4. Add VBA code here and there

You can add new instructions to any part of your recorded Macro. For example
to auto fit columns, format a group of cells, etc.
Take into account the Selection statements before and after the added code. In
other words: if the added code uses Selection, it should be corresponding with
the last line of code. At the same time, your added code must end with a
selection compatible with the next line of code.
To add code you can proceed in two different ways: write it from scratch or just
record a macro and merge it to the Macro you are editing.
8.5. Make the code more readable

Turn long lines into short ones by adding a break.
How do you add a break?
Place the cursor at the location you want to split, hit the space bar and write
the “_” character. See below…
P a g e | 123
8.6. Document every Macro

When you provide a password to your Gmail or Yahoo account, you are asked
for a private question; why is that required?
You will remember that question decades later.
The same way you must provide description to Macros so you remember them
even in the years coming.
Here are some guidelines…
• Describe WHY things are being done, not HOW.

• Use blank lines to separate blocks of logic, to make the code more
readable.
• Use indentation to identify blocks of code especially in repeating loops
like FOR NEXT, IF ELSE END IF
A professional comment must include these elements:
• Purpose (what the macro does)

• Assumptions (external variable, control, file, etc. accessed by the macro)
• Effects (each affected external variable, control, or file, and the effect it
has (only if it is not obvious))
• Inputs
• Returns
For commenting, use the Edit toolbar…
Or simply use an apostrophe (‘) before a line. By default, comments are turned
into green. Here is an example…
P a g e | 124
9. How to Make an Excel Macro Adaptable

for Variable-sized Arrays
“The computer is a moron”
Peter Drucker
N
ow you will get a quick-start understanding of two basic concepts:
variables and branching.
A full understanding of the Excel VBA language is out of the scope of

this book but here you will learn the basics to make Macros work for variable
conditions.
There are many ways of doing a Macro usable for the next time and for the
next worksheet, I will expose the three main techniques here:
11.1. Make your Macro valid for starting everywhere in

the sheet
Imagine you are programming Mario to climb up a ladder; he climbs up rung 1,
then 2, etc. until he reaches the top.
Now, what would happen if Mario starts to climb up beginning at the rung 4?
If Mario is set to start always at rung 1, he would jump back to step 1 when he
is at rung 4. If he is on the rung 3, the same would occur.
P a g e | 125
How to fix this problem?
Mario must be able to climb up to the NEXT step wherever he starts in the
ladder. The effective programming of this routine should be relative to his
current position.
Some Macros must be able to run correctly from different starting cells. In other
words you must prepare your Macro to start from a different position from
where you recorded it.
Hopefully, this is easily achieved by setting the reference to Relative. See how
to do it on the picture below…
P a g e | 126
On Excel 2007, do it this way…
On Excel 2003, do it this way…
P a g e | 127
Tip
When you use relative references, Excel replaces an absolute selection like
this one: Range("B3").Select…
The cell B3 will be always

selected when you use
Range("B3")
For a relative selection like this one: ActiveCell.Select
Here’s an example of a Macro that uses absolute reference…
When I run the above Macro, it will always write “Hello world” at the cell A1.
Even if the cursor is at B3…
I move the cursor to the cell C7 and run the Macro, guess what?
It writes “Hello world” at the cell A1.
P a g e | 128
The key design factor is to perform the action based on the actual position.
The following Macro uses a relative reference…
When I run the Macro, it will always write “Hello world” at the current cell.
I run the Macro at cell C3…
I run it at the cell A7…
P a g e | 129
Let’s see a more detailed example…
Imagine you have a bunch of raw data in column format (on column A) and you
want to lay out it as a table. The sheet contains thousands of those blocks of
data. See picture below…
After moving the cells to

columns B, C, D, E, and F; you
must delete these rows
These blocks are the

same
The key strategy is to record the Macro (using relative reference) only for the
first block and finish it on the starting cell of the next block…
P a g e | 130
1) After you move all the cells

and delete the rows
2) Put he cursor here

(beginning of block 2) and
stop the Macro
The Macro will do the same starting on the active cell A2 above
To run the Macro efficiently, assign it a shortcut so you execute it again and
again.
Here is the Macro…
P a g e | 131
Try the above macro by yourself. The ColumnToTable.xls file is provided as part
of the download .zip file.
The final result is this one…
11.2. How to change absolute references into relative

ones
Replace Ranges by ActiveCell or Offset
11.3. Make your Macro take decisions

All things get better when a Macro takes a decision. There are several condition
structures; here you will learn to use the “If Then Else” structure…
P a g e | 132
The expression: Range(“A1”) = “” can be replaced by any expression that

returns TRUE/FALSE, for example:
• Range(“A1”) = “”
• Range(“A1”) < 0
• ActiveSheet.Name = “report”
• And more…
You don’t want the Macro run if the current cell is empty so copy the
“ColumnToTable” Macro (above example) into the IF…THEN…ELSE structure.
See below…
If the current cell is empty the Macro shows a message: “No data to process”
P a g e | 133
Instructions if
A1 is empty
Instructions
(ColumnToTable)
if A1 is not empty
If I run the Macro from an empty cell; the message is shown…
P a g e | 134
11.4. Avoid repetition

The PC does not get bored when processes thousands of lines instead of a
couple of them.
To process all the blocks in the raw report above, you need to press the
shortcut each time you want to execute a block. It is fun but you need to keep
pressing a couple of keys for a while.
This is good because you have control of the process; but sometimes you want
the Macro processes thousands of records at once. I will show you how to do it
without you further intervene…
You will use two repetition structures (loops)…
“For Next” Loop

The following code loops through every cell from row 1 to 65,536 in column 1.
For the above example, if you would have 2000 blocks, you would copy and
paste your “ColumnToTable” Macro code into the following loop structure.
Some code to
repeat
See the end result below…
P a g e | 135
This code
will be
repeated
2000 times
“Do Until” loop

Imagine Mario must climb up the ladder until he finds a mushroom, you don’t
know where the mushroom will be.
For these cases you create an open loop. This type of loop repeats itself until
the given condition occurs.
For the above example, if you don’t know how many records you have in the
sheet, you can create a loop that repeats until the last cell is empty. See below
Some code to
repeat
P a g e | 136
The end result would be…
Use counters
Tables contain hundreds and thousands of registers, a key skill is to be able to
go row by row and column by column to make any sort of computation.
How to process each row/column without effort?
The secret is to use the objects: Cells, Offset and collections with counters.
What is a counter?
Instead of using a fixed number like:
Cells(1,1)
P a g e | 137
that always designates the cell of the row 1 and column 1 (A1); you use
counters like these ones:
Cells(rowcounter,columncounter)
Where, rowcounter and columncounter are variables that you can manipulate
by using code. In other words, the cell object doesn’t know what row or column
to point, it is up to you to define them programmatically.
The following Macro writes an increasing number on the cells in column 1 from
row 1 to the row number 100000…
This counter goes from 1 to

100000
You can replace the “i” variable name for any other valid description:
“RowCounter”, “MyCounter”, etc.
The following Macro renames each sheet with the content of its cell A1.

7 (number of sheets
specified by Sheets.count)
P a g e | 138
This example hides all the sheets except the current one.

7 (number of sheets
This example shows all the hidden sheets.

7 (number of sheets
P a g e | 139
10. How to Troubleshoot an Excel Macro
“To err is human--and to

blame it on a computer is
even more so”
Robert Orben
Problems in Macros are normal; here I will show you basic tactics that can save
your day.
12.1. Fix VBA syntax errors

When you check a document to find spelling mistakes you have a quite easy
task since the rules are established; and things get easier because you dispose
of spelling checking tools.
When you use the popular Text processor Microsoft Word, you get a visual aid
about where the errors are located. See below…
On the Excel VBA code window you have a similar assistance when you commit
a syntax mistake. The syntax errors are shown in red by default.
This syntax checking feature can be changed on Tools>Options>Editor

Format>Code Colors>Syntax Error Text
P a g e | 140
VBA syntax errors might be:
• Misspelling of an object name, property, method, argument

• Lack of arguments
• Lack of list separators (,), (“)
• Lack of (=) sign
The same way that occurs in MS Word, you are notified of such errors as soon
as you finish the writing. This syntax checking feature is active by default on
Tools>Options>Editor>Code Settings>Auto Syntax Check. See below…
P a g e | 141
This option is
activated by default
To fix syntax errors you must write VBA instructions correctly; try these tactics
when you get errors…
• Find help about the right syntax for the objects and members you are
writing. Press F1
• Replace wrong instructions by right ones, if you can’t do it record the
macro again
• Use the “Auto List Members” feature to get the right syntax instead of
writing it yourself. Use CTRL + J to launch this feature
• Follow the instructions of the warning message (error dialog): “Expected:
list separator or )”, “Expected: Expression”, etc.
• Press the “Help” button on the warning message and implement the
suggested solution
Here are some examples of syntax mistakes:
Lack of the (“) at the end

of the range denomination
“A1
P a g e | 142
Here’s another example:
Lack of the column

specification. The correct
syntax is: Offset
(row,column)
12.2. Fix compilation-time errors

A compilation-time error is only detected when you try to run a Macro. Typical
mistakes are incomplete structures. See example below…
Lack of the “Next”

statement
Here’s another example:
Lack of the “End If”

statement
P a g e | 143
To fix compilation-time errors try these tactics…
• Follow the instructions of the warning message: “For without Next”,

“Block If without End If”, etc.
• Press the “Help” button on the warning message and implement the
suggested solution
• Write the whole VBA code structure first, for example write the “For
Next” layout before you write code, things may get worse when you nest
various “For Next”. See example below…
Write the code

framework first
12.3. Fix run-time errors

These are the errors that occur during the execution of the Macro; let me
explain it to you better with an example…
The Macro below works perfectly: no syntax errors, no compilation-time errors

but while running, it gives you an error. See example below…
The following Macro deletes the active sheet…
But if the sheet you try to delete is the unique of the workbook, Excel will show
you the message…
P a g e | 144
Other errors are:
• Renaming a sheet with an existing name

• Deleting a sheet that doesn’t exist
• Pasting ranges in different-size array destinations
To fix run-time errors try these tactics…
Ignore an error
Now imagine that the “Report” sheet you want to delete with a Macro is already
deleted. See below…
You would get this error…
But it doesn’t matter, either way you wanted to delete the sheet so you can
ignore the error message.
Include the statement: On Error Resume Next. This statement ignores the line
where the error was produced and continues on the next line. See below…
Proceed certain way when an error is produced

The error produced when you try to delete the unique sheet of a given
workbook is predictable, so you must create an error trap routine to manage
the situation.
P a g e | 145
In the following example, the error-capture structure shows a warning

message. See below…
P a g e | 146
11. Abilities and Weaknesses of Recorded

Macros
“But they are useless. They

can only give you answers”
Pablo Picasso, about computers
S
adly, recording Macros is not the panacea for your automation
requirements.
To be aware of the limitations of Macros; take into account that an

excavator by itself is only able to dig and discharge soil on trucks.
The same way the excavator needs planning beyond the mere digging
command (what to do while the trucks are gone, what to do if the soil gets
more compact, what to do if the soil gets softer, etc.); there are Excel activities
that definitely cannot be achieved using plain Macros, for example: creating
forms, performing advanced analysis, etc. At this point you need to modify and
create your own Macros.
On one of my surveys to my subscribers, one of them gave me a great

answer…
In response to this question…
“What are the top two questions about recording/fine-tuning Excel Macros that
I ABSOLUTELY must answer on this program?”
He replied: “Nothing with recording...that is a garbage way of doing

things...write the VBA code from scratch otherwise this course is a waste of
money and time. Any moron can record a Macro!”
I agree that Writing Macros from scratch is the way to go but I disagree about
the Excel recorder impractical nature.
Here you have a short list of the pros and cons of the Excel recorder…
P a g e | 147
11.1. What the Excel Macro recorder can do

Here is a list of the things Excel recorder can do:
• Performs repetitive operations

• Creates Pivot Tables, Charts, Tables
• Writes formulas
• Provides you with VBA content otherwise you must write it
• Teaches you how to put Excel VBA code to work. It is a kind of on-
demand VBA example generator
11.2. What the Excel Macro recorder cannot do

Here is a list of the things Excel recorder cannot do:
• It does not create a form

• It does not create a loop
• It does not take a decision
• It does not write custom formulas
• It does not write advanced applications
• It does not get rid of fat code
• It does not record add-ins actions (like Solver)
My final message is:
Master your recording Macros skills and you will have a great
background and coder-assistant when you write Excel Macros from
scratch.
Relax while the PC performs the slave-labor job.
That’s all on this eBook
I hope you have enjoyed it!
And remember, you assimilate…
10% of what you hear
40% of what you see
90% of what you do!
Put your hard hat and record Excel Macros NOW!
The next couple of minutes are enough to record a single Macro and break the
inertia.
P a g e | 148
Open the ColumnToTable.xls file provided and explore the “ColumnToTable”

macros, record the macro your way, make mistakes.
Making mistakes will only make you better and better (if you don’t
give up before)
I am John Franco
Access free Excel VBA training bonuses by visiting:

P a g e | 149

Record Excel Macros That Work

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originalbeschreibung:

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Record Excel Macros That Work

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

How to Record Excel Macros that Work

How to Record Excel Macros that Work

IMPORTANT: As an added bonus for downloading this book, you have

To access your bonuses go to:

How to Record Excel Macros that Work

John Franco © 2010 by excelvba.org

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a

Rather than indicating every occurrence of a trademarked name as such, this

Thank you Ron S.

Contact him here: rohnskii@gmail.com

Purpose of this book

Hi dear Excel user,

The purpose of this book is empowering you to delegate to the

• Understand what a Macro is

Brief Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Excel Macros

“Computing is not about

While doing it by machine, would take just 1 month…

Here is the good news…

How do you do it?

Would you excavate by hand if you know an excavator can do it?

Enough big pictures for now…

Let’s get deeper!

2. What is an Excel Macro

“All programmers are

Have you used a voice recording?

You can even be heard without you been there.

An audio tape is a set of recorded sounds.

A Macro is a set of recorded instructions.

Here is where your instructions are stored…

How do you record instructions in a macro?

If you are using Excel 2007 or 2010, go to: View>Record Macro>Macro

Or click the status bar. See below…

Go to: Tools>Macro>Record New Macro

And specify the Macro configuration (name, description, etc.)…

While this mode is activated, EVERYTHING you do on Excel will be

This creates the need to edit recorded actions in Macros.

While Excel is on recording mode, its behavior is normal, with one

Want to see what’s going in the background?

In other words, this is “Macro1” before I start any action on Excel.

This is “Macro1” after I select the cell A1 on Excel…

3. How the Excel Macro Recorder Works

“Computers have lots of

3.1. The Excel recorder registers every action you

And every action is written on a line per line basis.

Overlooked actions like: minimizing a window, adding a workbook, closing

Incidental action 1. Incidental action 2. Selecting

3.2. The Excel recorder generates a VBA instruction

This is one of the main shortcomings to develop smart applications. A Macro

The unique way to build smart applications is by improving a Macro or

3.3. The Excel recorder changes the “properties” of

Decode the VBA language grammar quickly by reading a short

Let’s summarize the features of your hair…

• A hair Property is what you hair is: length, color, etc.

Now back to Excel…

Record a new Macro…

Then, change the column A width…

So the above action would produce the following code…

Now do this action…

It would produce the following code…

This other action …

Would produce this code …