# Visual Basic for Applications (VBA): Definition, Uses, and Examples

![Visual Basic for Applications: A computer programming language developed and owned by Microsoft.](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/LJR4Ab9CLqeXg5Arix3rjpuyI1A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/visual-basic-for-applications-vba.asp-final-914c180663d44bb1a1290b5fed405391.png)

*— Investopedia / Theresa Chiechi*

> **Definition**
>
> Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is a programming language embedded in Microsoft Office that can be used to automate processes and build functions.

## What Is Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)?

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is used to write programs for Microsoft Office (MS Office, Office) applications, including Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Word, and Visio.

VBA allows users to customize beyond what's normally available with MS Office host applications.  

### Key Takeaways

*   Visual Basic for Applications is a computer programming language developed and owned by Microsoft.
*   You can create macros to automate repetitive word- and data-processing functions with VBA and generate custom forms, graphs, and reports.
*   VBA is not a standalone product; it functions within MS Office applications.
*   VBA is accessed in Excel by hitting Alt + F11 when using an Excel workbook.
*   VBA leverages objects, variables, properties, projects, logical operators, and modules to make statements recognizable by debugging processes.

## Understanding Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

VBA is an event-driven tool. You can use it to tell the computer to initiate an action or string of actions by typing commands into an editing module to build custom macroinstructions (macros).

A macro is essentially a sequence of inputs that result in a sequence of outputs. This accomplishes specific computing tasks. You don't have to purchase the VBA software because VBA ships with Microsoft Office.

VBA allows users to manipulate graphical user interface (GUI) features such as toolbars, menus, dialogue boxes, and forms. You can use VBA to create user-defined functions (UDFs), access Windows [application programming interfaces (APIs)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/application-programming-interface.asp), and automate specific computer processes and calculations.

> **Fast Fact**
>
> Microsoft hosts various learning opportunities for entry-level developers to gain modest experience working with VBA.

## VBA in Excel

All Office suite programs share common programming languages, and each is capable of integrating VBA code to enhance it. VBA has been a natural fit with Excel, more so than with other Office suite programs, because of the repetitive nature of spreadsheets, [data analytics](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/data-analytics.asp), and organizing data.

The root of the relationship between VBA and Excel is often tied to using macros. You can use VBA to run a macro in Excel, but you can also use it for non-macro activities.

### How to Access VBA in Excel

Simply press Alt + F11 to access VBA in Excel. Your existing Excel workbook will remain running, but a new window will appear for Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications. The top left of the VBA window will show the current projects. The InvestopediaProject file is ready to receive VBA code in this example:

![VBA, Project Window](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/9RmHNvWZvalYw1KZxl9KV3_JPvM=/861x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VBA1-1ab86da975a0436b91cbbc0f6688ed8f.JPG)

*VBA, Project Window.*

The window displays the properties of the selected project at the bottom left. Properties are listed as projects or workbooks are selected. These properties are listed alphabetically by default, although they can be sorted by category.

![VBA Example, Properties](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/oEyrnsWmB4Y4nLzRGNHqf4uMJOg=/1041x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VBA2-410b3700e23041db92c5c333fe41cbfe.JPG)

*VBA Example, Properties.*

A new window appears when you double-click on a project on the top left. There's no information in this area, but you'll see two dropdowns that say "(General)" and "(Declarations)." VBA code is directly entered into this coding window.

![VBA Example, Code](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/4fCzJ0wiH_u9o_pkaueO-Hq_pFQ=/1243x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VBA3-246bb110a31243989593d29ccad9b0e5.JPG)

*VBA Example, Code.*

Here's an example of a VBA code that's been entered:

![VBA Example, Code with Coding](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/v50ghA7W8vwkuul6I6VMDTBPWWI=/1172x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VBA3.1-19c0f50907074070901f7509c489e361.JPG)

*VBA Example, Code with Coding.*

Many important buttons and tools appear on the toolbar. The items highlighted in yellow are the run, break, and reset toggles for the VBA code. The run button executes the code. The break button pauses the code activity. The reset stops the execution of the code and brings the process back to the starting position of the code.

![VBA Example, Toolbar](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/Fa_6ZQsbYkHpJ1endZ9R7S6kv-k=/834x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VBA4-9e6f8b132c4c402ca84c702c9ff46650.JPG)

*VBA Example, Toolbar.*

## What You Can Do With VBA

Financial modeling is about manipulating huge amounts of data, and VBA is endemic to the [financial services sector](https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/030415/what-distinguishes-financial-services-sector-banks.asp). It's likely running within applications you use each day if you work in finance, if you're not aware of it. Some jobs in the industry require prior knowledge of VBA, others don't. You can:

*   **Write macros**: Macros allow financial professionals such as accountants, commercial bankers, [investment bankers](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/investmentbanker.asp), research analysts, salespeople, traders, portfolio managers, clerks, and administrators to analyze and adjust huge amounts of data quickly.
*   **Update data**: You can use VBA in Excel to create and maintain complex trading, pricing, and risk-management models, to forecast sales and earnings, and to generate financial ratios.
*   **Perform scenario analysis**: You can create various portfolio management and [investment scenarios](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/scenario_analysis.asp) with Visual Basic for Applications. This includes filtering through situations that may impact outcomes differently.
*   **Organize information**: You can also use VBA to produce customers' names or other content, create invoices, forms, charts, analyze scientific data, and manage data display for budgets and forecasting.
*   **Be unconventional**: VBA can be used to copy and paste values, adjust cell styles for an entire workbook, and strike accelerator keys. You can perform very normal tasks in an easier, automated manner.
*   **Prompt action**: VBA can be used to interact with users. You use a user's input to place their first and last names on a form. VBA prompts a user in a way that makes this input unavoidably mandatory.

> **Tip**
>
> Many online forums provide VBA code that allows you to simply copy and paste the code for your personal use. Be cautious when using someone else's code, especially if you're unfamiliar with the source, the individual, or the logic of the code.

## Important VBA Terms

### Module

A module is where Excel stores the VBA code. Information regarding the modules within a spreadsheet can be found in Project Explorer, one of the sections of the Visual Basic Editor. All modules can be saved within a modules folder. Modules are sometimes referred to as standard modules.

### Objects

Most code is used to manipulate objects in VBA. Objects are items such as workbooks, worksheets, cells, cell ranges, or cell fonts. Objects are often selected or referred to as part of the code when you're coding in VBA. The code can use the "ActiveCell" language to manipulate the object currently selected in the spreadsheet. You can also create a process that executes when a [bar chart](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/barchart.asp) is edited.

### Procedures

The procedure is the part of a computer program that performs a specific task. It's the block of code that starts with a declaration and finishes with an end declaration. There are two types of procedures in VBA. Sub procedures form an action in Excel and begin with the text "Sub." Function procedures carry out calculations and return a value.

### Statement

A statement is an instruction that can be broken into two types. First, a declaration statement is used to state something, such as defining a constant or a variable value. Second, executable statements designate code that specifies what a certain action is.

### Variables

Variables are storage locations for defined items. They hold specific values that may change as VBA scripts are performed. The variable "FirstName" may not contain any value, but it can be assigned the FirstName variable and given the value "Jo" after the user inputs their name. Variables in coding can be different depending on the situation, similar to how [variable costs](https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/032515/what-difference-between-variable-cost-and-fixed-cost-economics.asp) can change over time.

### Logical Operators

Logical operators are the functions that allow for greater analytical and processing capabilities. They're bits of code that allow a computer to understand and compare items. VBA can analyze whether the user's name is "Jo." The program can analyze the input and perform a logical evaluation using logical operators such as "if, then", "true", and "false."  

> **Important**
>
> Visual Basic for Applications is the only version of VB 6 that's still supported by Microsoft. It's only available as an internal component of Office programs.

## VBA Users

### Basic Users

Visual Basic for Applications allows users to perform myriad functions within MS Office applications that go beyond simple word processing and [spreadsheet operations](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/10/using-excel-to-invest.asp). VBA helps to make frequent everyday tasks less repetitive via macros for the most basic user.

Macros can automate just about any task, such as generating customized charts and reports and performing word- and data-processing functions. You can write a macro with a single click that will allow Excel to create an entire balance sheet from a series of [accounting](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/accounting.asp) entries in a spreadsheet.

### Advanced Users

Programmers use macros in more complex ways, like replicating large pieces of code, merging existing program functions, and designing specific languages. Advanced VBA code can convert a single row vector into a matrix, populate a range, or manipulate the characteristics of a sheet.

### Companies and Organizations

VBA can also work in external, non-Microsoft settings by using a technology called COM interface that allows commands to interact across computer boundaries. Many firms have implemented VBA within their applications, both proprietary and commercial, including AutoCAD, ArcGIS, CATIA, Corel, raw, and SolidWorks.

Any firm may use VBA to customize Excel for a unique purpose, such as discerning how long it would take to earn $1 million in an investment portfolio based on a specific [interest rate](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interestrate.asp) and other factors like the number of years until retirement.  

## What Is VBA Used for?

VBA is used to further expand what some programs can accomplish. It's often used to create macros, automate processes, generate custom forms, or perform repetitive tasks that may need minimal human intervention.

## Is VBA the Same As Excel?

VBA is a computer language that's used within Excel. It enhances its capabilities. Excel is a broader software that's used for many types of analytical functions.

## Is VBA Difficult to Learn?

VBA is relatively easier to learn compared to other complex languages. It's considered a beginner-friendly language. VBA coders often don't have to have prior experience to learn the language. The VBA community also has many resources available for individuals who are new to programming.

## Is Visual Basic for Applications Still Used?

Yes, VBA is still useful and used by individuals who are interacting with Microsoft products, but newer languages such as Python, C#, or R can be used to code in place of VBA. New tools such as Power Query may be able to perform tasks that could previously only be performed when using VBA.

## The Bottom Line

VBA was first introduced in 1991. It's been used for decades to automate processes, generate macros, and help individuals by performing repetitive tasks. Other, more powerful computer languages may have greater capabilities, but VBA is still useful and holds the advantage of being an easier, more basic language to learn.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Microsoft Corporation. "[Apps and Services](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/products-apps-services)."
>     
> 2.  Microsoft Learn. "[Getting Started with VBA in Office](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/library-reference/concepts/getting-started-with-vba-in-office)."
>     
> 3.  Microsoft Learn. "[Visual Basic Conceptual Topics](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/language/reference/user-interface-help/visual-basic-conceptual-topics)."
>     
> 4.  Microsoft Learn. "[Excel Performance: Improving Calculation Performance](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/excel/concepts/excel-performance/excel-improving-calculation-performance)."
>     
> 5.  Microsoft Learn. "[Support Statement for Visual Basic 6.0 on Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-basic-6/visual-basic-6-support-policy)."
>     
> 6.  Microsoft Learn. "[COM Objects and Interfaces](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/com/com-objects-and-interfaces)."