VBA Video Tutorials

VBA is the programming language developed by Microsoft to be used in Excel and other Office applications. This event-driven language helps Office users automate various processes and manipulate the host application’s interface features. Watching video tutorials online is a popular method of learning VBA. Video content is a convenient and accessible method of learning for those who want an overview of basic VBA concepts or are trying to balance studies along with work or family commitments. This article will cover a range of videos, including what they teach and where to find them.

What is VBA?

VBA, which is short for Visual Basic for Applications, is the standard programming language Microsoft created to be used in several Office programs, such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. VBA provides Microsoft users additional customizable features beyond those typically included in Office apps. Although VBA isn’t a stand-alone program, it can alter various graphical-user-interface features, including menus, dialogue boxes, and toolbars. Additionally, VBA has applications for automating different computer calculations and processes, accessing Windows APIs, and designing user-defined functions.

Because VBA is an event-driven tool, it can tell the user’s computer to execute one or more actions. To do so, you create custom macros (which is short for macroinstructions) by entering commands into a module devoted to editing. Macros are comprised of various characters whose input causes an output (an additional series of characters) that is capable of accomplishing different computing tasks. When using a Microsoft app, VBA allows users to perform various functions that extend beyond word processing or spreadsheet management. By using macros, Microsoft users can make repetitive tasks easier to accomplish. There’s no need to purchase VBA software separately since it’s included with Microsoft Office.

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What Can You Do with VBA?

VBA, or Visual Basic for Applications, is Microsoft’s internal programming language for apps like PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. This versatile language allows users to further customize Office applications beyond the options typically available using host apps. VBA functions by manipulating features of the graphical user interface, like dialogue boxes, menus, and toolbars. It also has applications for creating user-defined functions and automating computer calculations and processes. 

Because it is an event-driven tool, you can use VBA to instruct the computer to perform one or multiple actions. By entering commands into an editing module, Office users can create custom macros or sets of characters that, when entered, result in a new output that can perform specific computing tasks. A few examples of repetitive tasks VBA can automate are data cleaning and formatting, capitalizing text, creating a table of contents, merging multiple worksheets, and solving complex calculations.

One of the main benefits of working with VBA is that almost all operations that users can perform in Microsoft Office with a dialogue box, keyboard, or mouse can also be accomplished using VBA. And, when something is done with VBA once, you can execute it just as efficiently hundreds of times. In addition to using VBA to perform everyday tasks faster, it also has applications for adding functionality to different Office apps, as well as interacting with those who use your documents in a manner that’s specific to your professional needs. Those working with VBA can write code to accomplish tasks like displaying a pop-up message reminding users to save their work to a specific network drive.

Why Are Video Tutorials Helpful When Learning VBA?

One popular method for studying VBA is through video tutorials. Here are just a few reasons video content can be a valuable and accessible way to learn VBA:

• Because VBA video tutorials are pre-recorded, they can be watched at any time of the day and then re-watched as often as necessary. In addition, those watching an online tutorial can pause the content at any point to take notes. This can help visual learners retain the information covered in the tutorial.
• If you’re new to VBA and are looking for a general overview of this programming language, online videos are a good option because they are often much more affordable than live online or in-person study. Some VBA tutorials are even available for free. 
• Because many top educational providers offer online VBA video tutorials, you can select an option most suited to your learning needs. In addition to general VBA video content, you can also find tutorials on specific VBA functions and videos devoted exclusively to using VBA in Excel. 
• Unlike in-person and live online VBA study, which requires you to attend regularly scheduled meetings, asynchronous learning materials can be completed at your own speed and don’t require rearranging your schedule.

Types of VBA Videos

A variety of VBA videos are currently available from top educational providers that can help you learn how to work with VBA and perform other spreadsheet tasks:

• To learn more about how VBA is used in Excel, check out Noble Desktop’s Top 10 Beginner Excel Tricks You Need to Know webinar. This hour-long video covers core Excel concepts and skills, like performing Excel shortcuts, using absolute cell reference and autofill, and performing data validation. This beginner-friendly webinar is a great way to start your Excel learning journey.
• Automate Excel currently has an interactive VBA tutorial for beginners online for free. This tutorial provides instructions on how to use loops, IF statements, ranges and cells, arrays, and message boxes.
• Udemy has several VBA-specific Excel tutorials available as well. Interested learners can choose from video content such as Ultimate Excel VBA, Excel VBA: How to Write Macros Like a Professional, The Ultimate Excel VBA Arrays Course, and Introduction to Microsoft Excel VBA.
• Tutorialspoint has a variety of short Excel videos available for those interested in brushing up on common Excel concepts, such as the user interface of the VBA screen and the developer tab. It also provides video content on how to write a macro and how to save a macro workbook.

Why Learn VBA?

Learning VBA opens many professional doors for those working in data analytics and can also help individuals advance in their current data-related careers. It has many applications for those who work with spreadsheet programs such as Excel. Because it can create automated solutions to many of Excel’s more tedious manual processes, VBA knowledge is an asset that spans professions and industries. Compared to other coding languages, VBA is easy to learn because it incorporates many intuitive features. Unlike other programming languages that require add-ons or additional software, VBA comes fully integrated into Office programs.

Another reason many professionals are interested in learning VBA is to improve work quality. When multiple employees are working on the same repetitive tasks, they may each use a different procedure to do so. VBA incorporates an automated system, reducing the margin of error and allowing tasks to be completed much faster than would otherwise be possible. Since work can be finished faster and with fewer errors using automated macros, it’s a cost-cutting skill that can drastically improve workplace efficiency and lead to a quicker investment return. 

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How Difficult is It to Learn VBA?

VBA is a coding language that’s relied on by millions of people around the globe for automating various tasks in Microsoft Office. This language is considered to be one of the easiest coding languages to learn for those who don’t have a background in computer science. It’s likely that if you have experience working with Microsoft products such as Excel, you already have a basic knowledge of VBA, perhaps without even realizing it. One of the best parts about learning VBA is that you don’t have to master its syntax but need only to understand the logic behind the macros you create. With the help of Excel’s Macro Recorder, it’s possible to record actions with the keyboard or mouse, save them, then run a macro to perform this action as often as needed. 

Some skills can expedite the learning process if you’re interested in studying VBA. Those with a background with basic analytical skills often acquire VBA faster than those who don’t have prior experience working with analytics. Familiarity with coding or object-oriented programming can also make learning VBA faster and easier. In addition, basic familiarity with Microsoft 365 products, such as Excel, is a benefit when studying VBA since most people who learn this language use it for Excel-related tasks.

Because all Microsoft products share a common programming language that comes with the application, purchasing Office 365 products will include VBA for no additional cost. Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Business is available as a one-time purchase for $250. Microsoft 365 Apps for Business costs $8.25/user/month, and Microsoft 365 Business Standard is offered for $12.50/user/month.

Read about how difficult it is to learn VBA. 

Learn VBA with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

A great way to learn about VBA is to sign up for in-person or live online VBA coursework. Noble Desktop’s Excel Programming with VBA Bootcamp is a hands-on course that teaches students fundamental VBA concepts, such as applying macros to real-world situations and performing Excel automation for repetitive tasks. This class is offered in the live online format and in-person in Manhattan. Although prior VBA knowledge isn’t necessary to take this course, participants should have intermediate Excel skills, such as familiarity with VLOOKUP, IF statements, and PivotTables. All participants have the option of a free class retake to brush up on course material. 

If you’re looking to learn more about how VBA is used in Excel, Noble also offers several live online and in-person Excel courses. Excel Programming with VBA teaches students how to create macros that automate Excel tasks, even ones in which the data isn’t consistently formatted. For beginners, Excel Level I: Fundamentals is also available, which covers essential Excel functions, formatting, and printing procedures. Excel Level II: Intermediate provides students with instruction on core Excel concepts, like summarizing data using PivotTables, functions such as VLOOKUP and SUMIFs, and performing Sort & Filter on databases. In addition, Excel Level III: Advanced is geared toward those with a solid background in using Excel but who want to learn complex database functions such as INDEX and MATCH, creating macros, and using What-If Analysis.