How to Create a Macro With Word & Excel

If you have Microsoft Word or Excel, you can create a macro. People create macros to serve as shortcuts for tasks they complete often. This saves time so you won't have to manually enter the code to complete a certain task every time it's required. If you want to create a macro in Word or Excel, you only need to show the Developer tab in the ribbon to get started.

Instructions

Create a Macro in Word

1. Open Word, click the "Office" button and select "Word Options" when the menu opens.

2. Click the "Popular" tab and check the box next to "Show Developer tab in the Ribbon" located under the "Top options for working with Word" section. Click "OK."

3. Click the "Developer" tab and then click "Record Macro" located in the "Code" section of the ribbon. The "Record Macro" dialog box will open.

4. Enter a name for the macro in the form next to "Macro name." Make sure you don't give the macro you are creating the same name as an existing macro or the old macro will be replaced.

5. Choose where you want to store the macro by clicking the arrow next to "Store macro in" to view the options. You can store the macro in a document or template.

6. Enter a description for the macro in the "Description" form.

7. Create a button for the macro by clicking the "Button" icon. Choose which document you want the macro button to show up on by clicking the arrow next to "Customize Quick Access Toolbar." Select the macro you are creating from Quick Access Toolbar list and click "Add" to create the button.

8. Create a keyboard shortcut for the macro by clicking the "Keyboard" icon. Select the command you are recording in the "Commands" box. Click the "Press new shortcut key" box and then press the key you want to use as a shortcut. Close the box when you are finished.

9. Click "OK" on the "Record Macro" box to begin recording the macro. After you finish recording the macro, click the "Stop Recording" button located in the "Code" section of the ribbon.

Create a Macro in Excel

1. Open Excel, click the "Office" button and select "Excel Options."

2. Click the "Popular" tab and check the box next to "Show Developer tab in the Ribbon" located under the "Top options for working with Excel" section. Click "OK."

3. Enable macros for Excel. Click the "Office" button again and then click "Excel Options." When the options menu opens, click the "Trust Center" tab and then click the "Trust Center Settings" button.

4. Click the "Macro Settings" tab when the Trust Center opens. Check the box next to "Enable all macros (not recommended, potentially dangerous code can run)" and click "OK."

5. Click the "Developer" tab and then click "Record Macro" located in the "Code" section of the ribbon. The "Record Macro" box will open.

6. Enter a name and description for the macro in the boxes next to "Macro name" and "Description."

7. Enter a shortcut for the macro in the form under "Shortcut key." You can enter any letter or number to use for the shortcut.

8. Choose where you want to store the macro. Click the arrow next to "Store macro in" and select a workbook or template to store the macro to.

9. Click "OK" to start recording the macro. When you are finished, click the "Stop Recording" button located in the "Code" section of the ribbon.

References

• Microsoft: Record or Run a Macro in Word
• Microsoft: Create or Delete a Macro in Excel