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Macros

The document describes the origin and development of macros in Excel. Originally, Microsoft launched Multiplan in 1982 but lost popularity to Lotus 1-2-3. Later, Microsoft released Excel for Mac in 1985 and Windows in 1987, which helped it become the leading spreadsheet software. Since 1993, Excel has included Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), allowing users to automate tasks and create custom functions through macros.

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45 views8 pages

Macros

The document describes the origin and development of macros in Excel. Originally, Microsoft launched Multiplan in 1982 but lost popularity to Lotus 1-2-3. Later, Microsoft released Excel for Mac in 1985 and Windows in 1987, which helped it become the leading spreadsheet software. Since 1993, Excel has included Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), allowing users to automate tasks and create custom functions through macros.

Uploaded by

ScribdTranslations
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Macros in Excel

Background

Microsoft originally marketed a spreadsheet program called


Multiplan in 1982, which was very popular in CP/M systems, but in the
MS-DOS systems lost popularity to Lotus 1-2-3. Microsoft published the
the first version of Excel for Mac in 1985, and the first version of Windows
(numbered 2-05 in line with the Mac and with a runtime package of
Windows environment) in November 1987. Lotus was slow to bring 1-2-3 for
Windows helped Microsoft reach a leading position.
software developers for PC spreadsheet, surpassing the also
very popular Quattro Pro from Borland. This achievement solidified Microsoft as a
valid competitor and showed its development future, as a software developer
GUI. Microsoft boosted its competitive advantage by launching new products to the market.
Excel versions, generally every two years. The
The origin of the word macro dates back to Greek, as defined by
Wikipedia (macro,
Macro,
what does 'big' mean).
Microsoft encouraged the use of the letters XL as an abbreviation for the program;
the program icon in Windows still consists of a stylized combination
of the two letters. The default file extension for the Excel format can
.xls previous or equal investments to Excel 2003 (11.0), .xlsx for books of
Excel regular investments after or equal to Excel 2007 (12.0), .xlsm for
Excel workbooks prepared for macros in versions equal to or greater than Excel
2007 (12.0)2 or .xlsb for binary Excel workbooks in later versions or
equals to Excel 2007 (12.0). Since 1993, Excel has included Visual Basic for
Applications (VBA), a programming language based on Visual BASIC, that
add the ability to automate tasks in Excel and to provide
user-defined functions for use in worksheets. VBA is a
powerful annex to the application that, in later versions, includes a
complete integrated development environment (IDE) also known as Editor of
VBA. Macro recording can produce code (VBA) to repeat the
user actions, which allows the

automation of simple tasks. (VBA) allows the creation of forms and


controls in the worksheet to communicate with the user. It allows the use of
language (but not the creation) of ActiveX DLLs (COM); later versions
added support for class modules allowing the use of techniques of
Basic object-oriented programming. The functionality of automation.
provided by (VBA) caused Excel to become a target for viruses
in macros. This was a serious problem in the world
Technological University of Chihuahua4
Background
Microsoft originally marketed a spreadsheet program called
Multiplan in 1982, which was very popular in CP/M systems, but in the
MS-DOS systems lost popularity to Lotus 1-2-3. Microsoft published the
first version of Excel for Mac in 1985, and the first version of Windows
(numbered 2-05 online with the Mac and with a runtime package of
Windows environment) in November 1987. Lotus was slow to bring 1-2-3 to
Windows and this helped Microsoft reach the position of the
main software developers for PC spreadsheet, surpassing the
also very popular Quattro Pro from Borland. This achievement solidified Microsoft
as a valid competitor and showed its development future, as a developer of
software GUI. Microsoft boosted its competitive advantage by launching into the market
new versions of Excel, generally every two years. The
the origin of the word macro dates back to Greek, as defined by Wikipedia
(μακρο,
macro
what does 'large' mean).
Microsoft encouraged the use of the letters XL as an abbreviation for the program; the
The program icon in Windows still consists of a stylized combination
of the two letters. The default file extension of the Excel format can
.xls previous or equal investments to Excel 2003 (11.0), .xlsx for workbooks of
Regular Excel investments after or equal to Excel 2007 (12.0), .xlsm for
Excel files prepared for macros in versions equal to or later than Excel
2007 (12.0)2 o .xlsb for binary Excel workbooks in later versions or
equal to Excel 2007 (12.0). Since 1993, Excel has included Visual Basic for
Applications (VBA), a programming language based on Visual BASIC, that
add the ability to automate tasks in Excel and to provide
user-defined functions for use in worksheets. VBA is a
powerful addition to the application that, in later versions, includes a
complete integrated development environment (IDE) also known as Editor of
VBA. Macro recording can produce code (VBA) to repeat the
user actions, which allows the
Illustration 1 Visual Basic with Excel

Technological University of Chihuahua5


automation of simple tasks. (VBA) allows the creation of forms and
controls on the worksheet to communicate with the user. It allows the use of
language (but not the creation) of ActiveX DLLs (COM); later versions
they added support for class modules allowing the use of techniques
basic object-oriented programming. The functionality of automation
provided by (VBA) caused Excel to become a target for viruses
in macros. This was a serious issue in the corporate world until the
Antivirus products began to detect these viruses. Microsoft took action.
late to mitigate this risk by adding the option of
disable the automatic execution of macros when opening an Excel file.
(Herrera, 2015) from corporate until antivirus products began to
detect these viruses. Microsoft took action too late to mitigate this risk
by adding the option to disable the automatic execution of the
macros when opening an Excel file.
(Herrera, 2015)
Justification
What was it created for?

According to the Business Transformation & Operational survey


Excellence (BTOE) from 2017 -cited in a Forbes publication- 41% of the
organizations highlight the implementation of new technologies as a
of the main activities to achieve operational excellence. Without
embargo, Excel continues to be one of the most important software for
strengthen business processes and optimize editing, analysis, processing
and presentation of all types of data.

In fact, a study by Business Insider classified the dominance of Excel as


one of the most demanded skills by companies in 2018. In this
context, when a person trains in Excel they increase their
possibilities of growing in the professional field, especially when you
they master Macros perfectly.

What are Excel Macros?

In simple words, a macro is a set of commands that


store it in an Excel file for the user to execute it when they
desire. The main objective of this functionality is to streamline the flows of
I work through the automation of monotonous, repetitive tasks and
routine. For example, if the user generates a sales report every
mornings in which it uses the same format and formulas, you can create a macro
to automate this task, saving time and avoiding errors by
concept of typing.

This tool uses the scripting language Visual Basic for Applications.
(VBA), allowing the user to create new functions (algorithms) when
perform calculations. In this way, important benefits can be accessed, such as:

Time saving at work: by automating those routine tasks and/or


adding new functions to the Excel template saves the person time
in the execution of their work.
Reduction of the error rate:90% of spreadsheets have
errors or failures associated with manual data entry and copying
incorrect amounts. Using macros, that risk is reduced
drastically.
Increased usefulness of Excel: as already noted, with Visual Basic the
the user can not only program macros, but can also
develop new features according to your work needs.

If we take into account that companies remain in a constant struggle


to reduce the time and efficiency of their processes, macros are
essential for tasks that require Excel. Whoever masters them
will have a competitive advantage over the rest of its peers.

How to learn to make macros in Excel?

Learning to make macros is not difficult. What is a bit complex is refining.


programming skills, something in which a Macros and Visual course
Basic for Excel is ideal, as it allows you to acquire the necessary knowledge.
to master this tool.

A good course on Macros and Visual Basic for Excel provides the knowledge
theoretical and practical aspects regarding the use of macros (creation, recording,
design, editing). Then, with daily practice, the student can become
an expert in the field and, therefore, a highly valued professional
for the companies
History and Application of Macros | PDF | Macro (inform)tca) | Microsoft Excel (scribd.com)

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