VBA: What is it and what can it do for you?
What is it?
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the coding language behind workbook automation in Excel and is also used with other Microsoft Office Products like Access, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc. Have you ever seen a custom button in Excel? Once you click it, anything can happen… Data refreshes, you’re taken to another tab, a section opens up or a pop-up form appears. That’s a VBA developer making the magic happen behind the scenes!
There are so many ways VBA can enhance your workbooks, most notably is the way it can make your custom solutions more robust, and can keep you from having to purchase any Off-the-Shelf software, that may not fit your needs or budget.
What CAN it do for you?
1) Import data from external sources (csv, xls, xlsx, etc)
- No more opening different files, filtering, copying & pasting and the pesky errors that can come with it!
- VBA can import multiple files at once and make any necessary changes while doing this (correct data, replace values, you name it).
2) Replace external links
- Eliminate the corruption risk and refresh anxiety caused by linking to other Excel docs.
- VBA can import the values and refresh on demand.
3) Create a client facing version of your workbook
- No need to manually create a copy of your workbook, delete scratch tabs, copy/paste just the values to remove the formulas and change the file name.
- A VBA Macro can do this for you! It can even save as a PDF or an Excel Workbook with values (meaning no formulas or backup data).
4) Ease data entry
- Reduce data entry errors and eliminate missing key data.
- Using a pop-up form powered by VBA, data entry can be more user friendly and efficient with validation and customized data verification.
5) Automate Monthly/Weekly reporting tasks
- Free up your time following multi-step directions to generate your reports.
- Harness the power to VBA and do the work for you!
6) Macros for Data Manipulation & Presentation
- Clean up your data & create a custom dashboards.
- A VBA Macro can massage your messy data & turn it into a polished dashboard.
7) Enhance and Customize Microsoft Office
- Create custom buttons, toolbars & menus, interact with APIs, connect with external databases, communicate with web services, the list is endless!
- With a little elbow grease, Excel Rain Man can help you create custom VBA Macros that ease your workload and enhance your output.
What CAN’T it do for you?
VBA can’t make your coffee run, but with all the time it can save you, you can enjoy a pour over at your favorite java shop.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for some VBA assistance!
