Can I Learn VBA in 3 Months?

One of the main reasons people want to learn VBA is so that they can take their career to the next level. Thus, being able to obtain this knowledge quickly means utilizing it in your current job or applying for better jobs. When it comes to wondering if you can learn VBA in 3 months, the short answer is yes, and that might be enough for you to find a lucrative job. However, if you want to be an expert, you’ll need to give yourself some more time.

How Much VBA Can I Learn in 3 Months? 

How long it takes you to learn VBA skills in three months depends on a variety of factors, including how much time you want to dedicate to your studies and whether you’re going to take classes or teach yourself. Whatever option you choose might be the right one, but it will depend on what you want to get out of the process.

There are bootcamps and other live and online classes that can teach you the basics of VBA in as little as a week, with more advanced classes taking up to eight weeks. You can actually learn quite a bit of VBA within a three month timespan, but that comes with some caveats.

First of all, there is the assumption that you have some basic coding skills and know how to use Microsoft Office applications, including Excel. VBA 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.

Typically, industries that utilize VBA are also using Excel, so knowing how to use a spreadsheet beyond its basics is beneficial. If you don’t have advanced Excel knowledge, then that is the first class you’ll want to take. How long it takes you to learn Excel can vary, but there are classes that can take you from being an Excel beginner to a pro in as few as three days. From there, you can then move into VBA classes to master this skill.

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VBA is considered to be one of the easiest programming languages to learn, and if you just want to focus on this one language, you can. However, if you have some other coding or programming language experience, such as with Python or JavaScript, then learning VBA might be much easier than not having any other coding/programming knowledge. Although, there are classes that focus specifically on VBA that will teach you VBA in as little as 12 hours.

Taking on-demand classes or using free resources is a great way to teach yourself VBA, and how much you learn in three months will depend on how dedicated you are to your studies. Like online and live classes, there are on-demand classes that can teach you the basics of VBA in as little as a few hours. There are also on-demand classes offered by colleges/universities that can teach you VBA in three to six months, and you’ll get a certificate once you complete the training.

However, with on-demand and free resources, it could take you less time or longer to learn VBA, as you get to decide when you access the modules. If you’re super dedicated and self-motivated and accessing the modules on a full-time schedule, you may get through the classes in a short amount of time. Should you find that you’re super busy and procrastinate, it could take you longer than three months to learn VBA.

How Can I Learn VBA More Quickly?

Learning VBA isn’t a long process, and you can learn a lot in three months or less. However, if you’re really trying to fast-track this process, then there are some different options you can consider, including the following:

Free Resources

Should you find that you want or need to learn the basics of VBA, then turning to free resources will be the fastest way for you to get your information. When it comes to learning VBA, you can access free videos on YouTube that will walk you through using this feature, and you can even get information from Microsoft articles or forums about how to use VBA. There are even some free basic courses available from online sites, including Noble Desktop, that will give you a sample of their classes that will teach you how to use VBA.

Posting on Microsoft forums could be an incredibly fast way for you to connect with other VBA users, including industry experts, and get answers to your questions. For other free resources to learn the fundamentals about VBA, check out your local library. You may also be able to access free books online.

On-Demand Courses

Taking an on-demand VBA course could lead to a variety of different results. Depending on exactly what you want to learn, this could be the fastest way to learn VBA, or it could take you a really long time. On-demand courses are designed for you to learn at your own pace, so if you’re motivated, you could get through the lessons in a record amount of time and be ready to start a new job in a few hours or even days. However, if you get distracted easily or don’t have a lot of self-motivation, then an on-demand class could take a long time to complete.

More often than not, on-demand classes are for individuals who are beginners or have some VBA knowledge and need to learn a specific skill. If you have some background in Microsoft Office and programming, then an on-demand class may be just what you need to learn a few skills quickly (if you have the right motivation). Keep in mind that most on-demand courses don’t have a live person to talk to, so if you have questions or issues, you may not have anyone you can turn to for answers.

Introductory Classes

Introductory classes still focus heavily on the basics, but you may learn a few more skills that pertain specifically to VBA and its advanced features relatively quickly. Introductory classes are generally fairly short and are flexible when it comes to enrollment and scheduling. To get the most out of an introductory class for VBA, you may only need to block out a few hours or at most a day.

Introductory classes will more than likely be a bit more technical than a free resource, but you may still need to spend some time exploring VBA yourself to really understand all of its capabilities and to use it effectively.

Certificate Programs

Enrolling in a certificate program may not be the fastest way to learn VBA, but it will provide you with more skills and knowledge that can be applied to your current or a new career. Depending on the type of certificate program you sign up for, you may be able to finish in a few hours or a few weeks—which is still learning VBA faster than attending a college or university.

One of the nice things about a certificate program is that you get proof that you attended the class. This can be beneficial when proving to employers that you know what you’re doing and have taken the time to invest in yourself. Certificate programs are geared toward professionals and individuals who want to further their career, so the information you learn will be the basics and more nuanced information about how to use VBA.

What VBA Skills Will I Need to Learn After 3 Months?

The amount of time it takes to gain a solid understanding of VBA can vary, but for most people, you’ll be able to get started with this skill (and potentially start working) within one to eight weeks. Of course, this depends on several factors, but if you’re dedicated and determined, it won’t take long to learn VBA.

During that time frame and after, some of the skills that will ensure you’re an advanced user of VBA include the following:

Data Analysis

One of the biggest reasons to learn VBA is to help your employer understand huge amounts of data. Being able to create applications around that data and making it easier to comprehend will make you an incredibly valuable employee.

Macro Development

Macros are used in a wide range of VBA tasks, including creating shortcuts in Excel when developing applications. Macros can also automate simple tasks and execute repetitive tasks faster, increasing work efficiency. Having advanced knowledge of this aspect of VBA can help in all areas of an industry and make processes run smoothly.

Code Reviewing Skills

Finding and fixing errors in your code is essential to ensuring VBA is running correctly. Not only do you want to be able to debug your own VBA codes/programs, but you need to be able to help others as well. You may learn this skill in a basic class, but it will take time to hone it and become proficient at reviewing code.

Database Development

Databases play an important role in VBA development, as they may serve as the primary element of an application. Thus, an advanced skill that employers may require is the ability to interpret information, understand complex topics and design databases.

Having some coding/programming skills can help with your VBA learning efforts, but even beginners can learn to master this incredibly useful tool. With an initial investment, then time and practice, you’ll be able to hone your skills and eventually become a VBA expert.

Learn VBA with Noble Desktop

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.