Excel Macros: How to Run, Record, and Use Macros in Excel

Download Article

Automate tasks and increase efficiency in Excel with macros

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: October 8, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Recording a Macro

|

Running a Macro

|

Saving a Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet

|

Video

|

Q&A

|

Tips

|

Warnings

This wikiHow teaches you how to enable, create, run, and save macros in Microsoft Excel. Macros are miniature programs that allow you to perform complex tasks, such as calculating formulas or creating charts, within Excel. Macros can save significant amounts of time when applied to repetitive tasks, and thanks to Excel's "Record Macro" feature, you don't have to know anything about programming in order to create a macro.

Creating & Using Excel Macros

Go to View > Macros > Record Macro to set up your macro and begin recording. Click the Macros button again and click Stop Recording when you're done.
Click the Macros button and choose View Macros to view and run your macros.
Save your workbook as an .XLSM file to ensure that macros are enabled in the spreadsheet when you or another user opens the spreadsheet the next time.

Section 1 of 3:

Recording a Macro

Download Article

If you opened a blank workbook, enter any data that you want to use before proceeding. Otherwise, open an Excel sheet that you've previously made before getting started.
It's at the top of the Excel window.

Advertisement
It's at the end of the ribbon, and it has an icon of a spreadsheet with a red scroll in front of it.
It's in the dropdown menu. A pop-up window will appear.
In the "Macro name" text box, type in the name for your macro. This will help you identify the macro later.
6
Create a shortcut key combination if you like. Press the Ctrl key along with another letter key (e.g., the E key) to create the keyboard shortcut. You can use this keyboard shortcut to run the macro later.
- On a Mac, the shortcut key combination will end up being ⌥ Option+⌘ Command and your key (e.g., ⌥ Option+⌘ Command+T).
This is the default option, but you may need to select it if you see a different option selected. Your macro will be stored inside your spreadsheet, making it possible for anyone who has the spreadsheet to access the macro.
If you want to add a description about what this macro does, type it into the "Description" field. Otherwise, you can skip this and move to the next step.
It's at the bottom of the window. Doing this saves your macro settings and begins recording.
10
Perform the macro's steps. Any step you perform between clicking OK and clicking Stop Recording while be added to the macro. For example, if you wanted to create a macro that turns two columns' worth of data into a chart, you would do the following:
- Click and drag your mouse across the data to select it.
- Click Insert
- Select a chart shape.
- Click the chart that you want to use.
It's in the View tab, under the Macros button. To view your macros, click the Macros button again and choose View Macros. Your macro will be listed, and you'll be able to run, edit, or configure your macro as you see fit.

Section 2 of 3:

Running a Macro

Download Article

1
Click the View tab. This option is at the top of the Excel window.
- You can also just press the key combination you set for the macro. If you do so, the macro will run, and you can skip the rest of this method.
You'll find it in the View tab's toolbar. A dropdown menu will open.
A pop-up window with all of your macros will appear.
Click the name of the macro that you want to run.
It's on the right side of the window. Your macro will begin running.
Depending on how large your macro is, this can take several seconds.

Section 3 of 3:

Saving a Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet

Download Article

If you don't save your spreadsheet as a macro-enabled spreadsheet (XLSM format), the macro won't be saved as part of the spreadsheet, meaning that other people on different computers won't be able to use your macro if you send the workbook to them.
It's in the upper-left corner of the Excel window (Windows) or the screen (Mac). Doing so will prompt a drop-down menu.
This option is on the left side of the window (Windows) or in the drop-down menu (Mac).
4
Double-click This PC. It's in the column of save locations near the left side of the window. A "Save As" window will open.
- Skip this step on a Mac.
In the "Name" text box, type in the name for your Excel spreadsheet.
6
Change the file format to XLSM. Click the "Save as type" drop-down box, then click Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook in the resulting drop-down menu.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- On a Mac, you'll replace the "xlsx" at the end of the file's name with xlsm.
7
Select a save location. Click a folder in which you want to save the Excel file (e.g., Desktop).
- On a Mac, you must first click the "Where" drop-down box.
8
Click Save. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so will save your Excel spreadsheet to your selected location, and your macro will be saved along with it.
- When you open a macro-enabled spreadsheet, you'll need to click the Enable Content button at the top of the screen to use the macros saved within the workbook.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I use a macro that I create in other spreadsheets and future spreadsheets on the same pc?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use a macro that you crate in other spreadsheets and future spreadsheets on the same pc.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 26
Question

How can I write macros that will change a spreadsheet as soon as I create it?

Community Answer

You will first need a basic understanding of VBA. There are many tutorials on this.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 32 Helpful 22

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Macros are generally useful for automating tasks that you must perform often, such as calculating payroll at the end of the week.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Although most macros are benign, some macros can maliciously change or delete information on your computer. Never open a macro from a source that you don't trust.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0