Are VBA Classes Worth It?

When it comes to technology, there are a lot of skills and knowledge that can be learned that may or may not be beneficial when it comes to entering into a new career or advancing your current one. VBA has been around for an incredibly long time, and you may have heard that it’s currently irrelevant or antiquated. However, Microsoft Office is still in use by many companies around the world, so knowing how to use VBA could be incredibly beneficial.

VBA can be found in Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint, among others, and it allows users to do a variety of tasks, including automation, customizing forms, creating models, analyzing data and encouraging user interaction. VBA allows users to customize MS Office beyond what is typically available, tailoring the programs to the business’ specific needs to keep the company running effectively and efficiently.

However, just because VBA is an integrated part of MS Office, that doesn’t mean everyone knows how to use it. Thus, having this skill can set you apart from others and ensure you have a lucrative and enthralling career in an industry of your choosing. 

When wondering if VBA classes are worth it, the short answer is that VBA classes are worth it. This programming language is still used to automate a variety of different tasks in Microsoft Office, including Excel, and it’s also considered to be one of the easiest languages to learn. Does that mean it’s the best for you to learn? This article will help you determine that by looking at a variety of different factors.

Calculate the Costs

Deciding whether or not VBA classes are worth it means you have to take the cost of the class into consideration. While there are free options available online, make sure you are getting the most up-to-date information. You can learn from these free sites, but if you have questions, you may not be able to talk to someone directly, or you may have to wait for an answer. If you have plenty of time on your hands, this may be the best option for you.

However, if you are looking for classes that have a real person to talk to, you might consider instructor-led VBA classes. Whether you take these classes in-person or online, not only will you be able to ask a real person any questions that might arise, but you’ll also be assured that you’re using the most current information for this technology.

In addition to thinking about monetary costs, you also have to consider how much time you’re going to invest. Most free courses are on-demand, which means you get to decide when and where you’ll take these classes. If you have an incredibly busy schedule, then that freedom may be incredibly appealing. However, if you find that you lack motivation, then an on-demand course may not be the best choice. You have to have self-discipline to ensure you finish the course in a timely manner.

Taking an in-person or online VBA class may not be as flexible, but your classmates and the instructor will hold you accountable and keep you motivated to finish your studies.. Plus, there are courses that don’t take a huge amount of time to complete. Depending on which course you enroll in, you can learn Excel programming with VBA in 12 hours—that’s only a few hours out of your weekday to learn a valuable skill.

Benefits of VBA Classes

If you’re still trying to decide whether or not a VBA class is worth it, keep in mind that software professionals use VBA in companies and organizations that rely heavily on spreadsheet programs—with Excel being the top pick. There is a wide range of industries that want individuals who know how to develop automation solutions for tedious manual processes in Excel. In addition, some of the other benefits of learning VBA include the following:

It’s Easy to Learn

When compared to other programming languages, VBA is easy to learn. It doesn’t matter if you have zero experience with programming or are a professional, adding VBA to your skill set ensures you have a basic programming language that can be applied to all Microsoft Office programs. VBA has intuitive features, so most people have no issues with learning it.

It’s Used in Many Different Industries

Excel is used by a lot of different companies, which means that many businesses and industries have a need for VBA. From finance to data analytics to inventory management, once you learn how to use VBA, you may be able to find a job in an industry that not only pays well but is also intriguing and keeps your workday interesting.

Job Options Are Flexible

In addition to VBA being necessary in a variety of different industries, you also have the option of working as a full-time or part-time programmer. Depending on your skills, you may even be able to take on freelance and/or remote work. 

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It Doesn’t Require Additional Installation

VBA is already fully integrated in Microsoft Office programs, which means it doesn’t require add-ons or additional software to use. This makes VBA a cost-effective automation tool, and businesses are always looking for ways to save money. VBA may be an integral part of MS Office, but not every employee in the company will know how to use it—or that it even exists. Having this skillset can make you an incredibly valuable employee without costing a company more than they want to spend.

It Looks Good on Your Resume

If you’re looking for something that’s going to make you stand out from other candidates, having taken VBA classes may be what you need. You may think having this knowledge is basic, but it may be exactly what a company is looking for to ensure smooth operation.

You’ll Have Access to VBA Networking

Learning VBA gives you a specialized tool that can be used for different jobs in various industries. You’ll also be able to connect with other professionals who use this skill, and networking is an incredibly important part of finding jobs and honing your skills. When you have questions, want to geek out about VBA or are looking for a job, you can reach out to the helpful community of VBA professionals to find what you’re looking for.

What to Consider When Looking for VBA Classes

While having VBA knowledge can be beneficial and set you apart from other candidates, there are still things to consider when looking for VBA classes. 

In-Person or Online Training

Both in-person and online VBA classes have a set schedule and meet at a specific time. This could be problematic if you have a busy schedule with a full-time job. There isn’t much flexibility when you learn this skill. However, in both in-person and online classes, you get the benefit of interacting with a real, live person to answer any questions that might arise. You can also interact with other students to be inspired and start networking.

Another issue that might arise when it comes to in-person classes is whether or not they are offered in your area. If they are, you then have to consider commuting to and from classes, which can impact your schedule even more.

A solution to this is to attend online classes. With this option, you won’t have to worry about driving to and from the physical classroom; you just have to connect from anywhere that has access to the internet. Some of the downsides to this could include distractions or losing internet connection. 

As mentioned, another option you might consider is on-demand classes, but you’ll need self-motivation and discipline to be successful in this class format. You may also not have a live person to talk to should questions arise.

There is no “right class” when it comes to learning VBA. You have to consider your learning style and what classes are offered in your area (if there aren’t any, then online is a good option), then decide what will work best for you.

The Skills You Need to Know

When it comes to learning VBA, this is a skill that anyone can undertake. You do not need to have any previous knowledge of coding or programming languages before learning VBA. However, it may be useful to have some foundational knowledge in Excel, which can be learned in some basic courses, but it’s not necessary.

Who Would Find Enrolling in a VBA Class Worthwhile?

Learning VBA can be valuable for a variety of different professionals, but those who may find enrolling in a VBA class worthwhile include the following:

Scientists and Engineers

If you work in a field that requires working with complex formulas, then learning VBA can be incredibly beneficial. Learning how to automate processes and analyze data can save you a lot of time and effort on a daily basis.

Analysts

“Analysts” come in a variety of shapes and forms, from business intelligence to marketing to human resources to financial analysts, and all of these can benefit from learning VBA. Having this skill will allow you to set metrics, create models and analyze data, which can make your job a lot easier.

Individuals Who Handle Data

For anyone in any industry that works with a lot of data and uses it to make decisions, learning VBA can be incredibly beneficial and save you time and effort while you do your job.

Other Questions to Ask When Determining if VBA Classes are Worth it

Trying to figure out if VBA classes are worth it means considering everything that’s been talked about so far, as well as getting answers to some of the most common questions asked about this programming language. Here are some of the other things to consider:

Are VBA Skills In Demand?

The last thing you want to do is spend time and money learning a skill that only a few businesses find valuable. However, as has been pointed out previously, VBA skills are highly sought after. There are a lot of programming languages out there, but VBA ranks in the top 20 of languages you should know. 

Remember: Microsoft Office has a large user base and can be found in industries and businesses around the world. VBA is one of the easier languages to learn because it has a human-readable and editable code, and having VBA knowledge can open doors.

How Much Do VBA Jobs Pay?

This is another important question to consider, as it ensures that you can have a lucrative career after learning VBA. There are jobs specific to this skill set available, with the base pay starting around $60,000, depending on where you live. However, learning VBA in addition to other coding and programming languages can make you even more valuable to employers and increase your average yearly salary exponentially.

Some of the jobs you might consider after obtaining VBA skills include a VBA developer, MS Access and Excel VBA developer, expert VBA/C# developer, software developer and an operations support specialist, among others.

Is it Better to Learn JavaScript or VBA?

Depending on how much time you have, you may consider learning both, as these are foundational languages that are used in numerous applications by a variety of industries worldwide. However, if you only have time for one, then start with VBA, as this is an easy-to-learn language that can help you understand others later down the road.

Learn VBA Skills with Noble Desktop

When it comes to learning VBA, this is a skill that you can learn in just a few hours. Whether you’re a beginner looking to break into the coding/programming world or a professional that wants to take your career to another level, VBA classes from Noble Desktop can help you achieve your goals. 

You can attend classes in-person and online to get hands-on experience that will teach you to automate repetitive tasks in Microsoft Excel using VBA programming. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to develop custom commands, macros and new worksheet functions that will streamline Excel workflows and increase productivity. 

Should you find yourself needing to know the basics of Excel, Noble Desktop offers a bootcamp. By the end of this course, you’ll go from being an Excel novice to a pro, and then you can transition into learning VBA.

If you’re ready to learn VBA to start your career or take your current one to the next level, Noble Desktop has the classes and bootcamps you’re looking for.