Excel VBA — Preparation before recording first macro | Introduction to macros and VBA 02
In this post, we will work on something we should consider before starting recording our first macro.
First of all, in the Developer tab, we have the Record Marco command. We can also find this command in the status bar on the left side. It make it easier to start our recording (Fig. 1)
Then, we should consider relative and absolute reference. We have the Use Relative References command. If it isn’t highlighted, it means that we work with absolute references. For example, if I select cell B9, then select cell B12, Excel will record this as ‘select cell B12′. When I turn on the Use Relative Reference command, then select cell B9, and then cell B12, Excel will record this step as ‘go three rows down’. This issue is very important when recording our macro.
Let’s click on the command one more time to turn it off and work with absolute reference.
There is one more command to look into. It’s called Macro Security. After clicking it, we have a Trust Center window. In the Marco Settings area, we can see an option of Disable VBA macros with notifications (Fig. 2)
This option should be selected by default. It means that when we open a file with macros (with an xmls extension), we will have information that this file contains macro, and some code can be run without our knowledge. However, in most cases, we shouldn’t be afraid of this code. It’s a code which we copy from secure sources, like Google. Google is quite a secure source, as it shows you good websites, not dangerous ones.
When you start working with VBA, you should know something about the VBA code. If you see something unfamiliar, you shouldn’t run this code.
I personally don’t like notifications, especially the ones that show up every time I open a file containing macros. That’s why, in most cases I’m working with the Enable VBA macros option. It’s not recommended, however, from my point of view it’s practical. I’ve been working with macros for many years, and I haven’t come across any dangerous code. The most dangerous thing a VBA code has done to me is rewriting my current data.
Having the above in mind, when you run macros and you don’t fully know what they are doing, you should always create a backup copy before.
The above are the most significant pieces of information you should consider before recording your first macro. In the next post, we will be recording our first macro.
