How do Beginners Learn VBA?

VBA is considered to be one of the easier programming languages to learn. It has a user-friendly interface and straightforward syntax, which means a wide range of individuals can learn how to use VBA. However, before diving into this skill, there is some basic knowledge you’re going to need, including having an understanding of Microsoft Office products and some computer and math skills.

What Is VBA?

VBA, also known as Visual Basics for Applications, is a computer programming language that was developed and is owned by Microsoft. It can be found in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, Visio and Word. VBA can only be used in Microsoft Office products, it is not a stand-alone product.

Using VBA, you can create macros that automate repetitive data- and word-processing functions, as well as create custom reports, graphs and forms. In the world of programming languages, many people find that learning VBA is easy because it has straightforward syntax and is user friendly. Both beginners and individuals with experience in programming/coding languages could benefit from learning VBA.

What Can You Do with VBA?

The short answer to this question is that you can use VBA to make your life easier, especially when using MS Office products. The long answer is that you can use VBA to do the following:

Create Macros

If you work in an industry that deals with huge amounts of data, it could take you an incredibly long time to analyze that information and answer whatever question needs to be answered. However, with VBA, you can create macros that can help you analyze and adjust incredible amounts of data in a timely manner.

Update Data

Should you have data that changes frequently, such as in the financial world where trading and pricing can change on a daily basis, using VBA to update your data can save you a lot of time and effort, as well as reduce the potential for errors. Of course, the financial industry isn’t the only field where updating data is beneficial, and if you know how to use VBA, it can be applied to a variety of different jobs.

Perform Scenario Analysis

There may be times when the outcome of a decision may not be clear or there may be different options. For some insight into what those outcomes might be based on different factors, you can use VBA to perform a scenario analysis. This can give you an idea of what to expect based on certain factors, which may help you plan for the future.

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Organize Information

From organizing customer names to creating invoices to developing forms and charts to keeping scientific data straight, VBA can be used to organize information. Having organized data is a great way to ensure your business is running optimally.

Automate Mundane Tasks

VBA can be used to make mundane tasks a breeze. If you find you have to copy and paste values from one place to another or adjust styles across multiple pages, then using VBA to automate those processes can make your life easier and save you some time.

Getting Started with VBA

If you want to develop your VBA knowledge, the following are some basic skills you may consider familiarizing yourself with before embarking on learning this programming language:

Microsoft Office

Because VBA is the programming language built into most Microsoft Office applications, the more familiar you are with the Microsoft environment, particularly Excel, the easier it will be for you to learn VBA. 

Enrolling in an in-person or live online Excel class is an excellent way to learn more about navigating spreadsheets and how VBA is used in this application to create macros and perform different task automations.

Programming Skills

Although you don’t have to be a computer scientist or expert programmer to work with VBA, having a basic understanding of coding can make it easier to learn this programming language. This is why some people find that familiarity with programming languages such as Python, which has applications for task automation, can help with VBA comprehension. 

Basic programming skills include debugging programs, writing programs, using functions, variables, loops, and procedures, applying algorithms for searching and sorting, and working with different data structures.

Basic Mathematical Skills

Working with VBA in Excel requires a basic understanding of how you can apply different mathematical operations to numerical data. While many learners studied algebra and other core math topics in high school, it’s helpful for those who wish to learn VBA to revisit these basic operations, such as using parentheses to define order, as well as working with multiplication, division and exponentiation, which will likely be used when writing VBA code.

The First Steps when Learning VBA

The first step you’ll need to take when learning VBA is familiarizing yourself with the Microsoft Office product you’ll be using VBA in. The vast majority of industries around the world that utilize VBA are also using Excel. Thus, being familiar with how to use every aspect of this program is a good first step when learning VBA.

If you don’t have a lot of in-depth knowledge about Excel or the other Microsoft Office applications, there are ways to learn. You have the option of signing up for classes or using online resources to find the answers you’re looking for.

Once you’ve learned how to use Excel and/or other Microsoft Office applications, you can then move on to learning VBA. Some of the basic skills you’ll learn as a beginner include the following:

Subroutines

Subroutines in VBA are also referred to as a sub procedure or a sub. These are a set of commands that perform a defined task but don’t return a value. Subroutines are often used to update cells, upload a program to Excel or pull data from other applications. Subs can also simplify actions or reduce redundant code.

Functions

VBA functions are similar to subroutines, but a function has the ability to return values. Functions are a piece of code that can be inserted anywhere in the VBA Editor. They eliminate the need to write the same lines of code over and over.

Cells and Range Functions

When working in Excel, you may need to obtain data from or insert data into a specific place, typically another cell or worksheet. To pull that information quickly and easily, one of the basic skills you’ll learn as a beginner in VBA is Cells and Range functions. You’ll learn that the Cells function pulls information from a single cell, while the Range function pulls data from a group of cells at one time. 

Formatting

The Formatting function is used for date, time, numerical and string data. You can choose from predefined named formats or create your own—whatever you need to make work processes run more smoothly and efficiently. Some of the other ways the Format function can be used is in a query as part of a field alias, in a text box on a form or report in the Control Source property or to limit previous record outputs.

Object Models

Within VBA, object models are hierarchical structures that are representative of every element in the software application. Objects are typically created from classes, which define the objects properties, variables, events and procedures. After defining a class, you have the ability to create as many objects as you need. 

Free VBA Tools for Beginners

If you’re looking to learn VBA for free, there are several options you can choose from. The first would be to watch videos on YouTube. Going to the site and conducting a search will bring up a list of options for you to choose from. 

You might also consider going to the Microsoft site, as they have articles, tutorials and discussion forums that can answer questions you might have about VBA. There may also be some free introductory courses offered by a variety of online training centers, including Noble Desktop, that will teach you how to use VBA.

Free resources can also be beneficial if you need basic information about Microsoft Office products that utilize VBA, including Excel. If you aren’t familiar with all the nuances and abilities of spreadsheets, then taking some time to get familiar with those might be helpful.

Live VBA Training for Beginners

Enrolling in live VBA training for beginners is a really good way to get introduced to the skill and get feedback on what you’re doing. Free resources are a good starting point, but if questions arise, you don’t have anyone to talk to. Sure, you could post to discussion forums or email YouTube video creators, but you have no idea how long it will take to get a response—if you get one at all. When you take a live class, you’ll have direct access to a live person who is an industry expert.

Not only will you be able to ask questions during live VBA training, but you'll also get feedback on assignments as well. This can be incredibly advantageous to help you figure out what you’re doing wrong and what you’re doing right. If something isn’t working correctly, the instructor (or potentially a classmate) will be able to point it out in real-time so that you can fix it. That can save a lot of frustration and ensure you’re getting the knowledge you need to use VBA successfully.

The Next Step

After learning the basics of VBA, the next step in the process is to move on to more advanced classes. What that looks like depends on where you started your VBA journey. If you had to start at the very beginning and become familiar with Microsoft Office products such as Excel, the next class will be learning the basics of VBA.

If you have some knowledge of Excel and started with VBA classes, you can then move on to learning as much about VBA as you possibly can.

Noble Desktop offers online and in-person classes, ensuring there’s a class that fits into your budget and your schedule. You even have the option of enrolling in an introductory class, the Excel VBA and Macros Level I class, as well as an advanced class, the Advanced Excel VBA and Macros Level II class, to hone your VBA skills. Both of these classes can be completed in six hours each.

If it’s a bootcamp you’re looking for, then you’ll want to check out the Excel Programming with VBA class offered by Noble Desktop. By the end of this course, you’ll know how to automate repetitive tasks in Excel, as well as how to develop macros, new worksheet functions and custom commands to increase productivity and streamline Excel workflow. You’ll only need to invest 12 hours to complete this VBA bootcamp.

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.