Introduction to Visual Basic Training
The course provides participants with a thorough introduction to Visual Basic for Excel. Participants learn how to record macros and subsequently tidy the code, as well as how to write simple macros directly in the Visual Basic Editor. Also covered are loops and IF statements, creating message boxes, debugging, error handling and best practice recommendations. By attending the course, participants will gain an appreciation of when using macros is beneficial and how we can work with them in a safer and more user-friendly manner.
Introduction to Visual Basic
Course Overview
The course is designed to cover the following key objectives:
- Understand the types of actions that VBA can be used for
- Learn how to record a macro and tidy the code
- Become familiar with different parts of the VBA Editor
- Understand the language of Visual Basic to a beginners level
- Know what objects, methods and properties are and how we work with them
- Be able to code simple macros comprising of IF statements and Loops
- See different methods of debugging i.e., checking for and fixing errors in the code
- Obtain guidance on best practice approaches when working with VBA
Course Outline
During the course, the following areas will be covered:
- Introduction to VBA
- What VBA can be used for, the types of actions that can be performed and example uses of macros in financial models.
- Debugging
- Techniques that can be used to test for and ix errors in the code.
- Recording macros
- How to record them and subsequently tidy up the code.
- Best practice rules for when working with macros
- Guidelines that should be followed such as using direct referencing, commenting the code and applying range names.
- The key building blocks of Visual Basic
- The various windows in the Visual Basic Editor and working with objects, properties, and methods.
- Variables
- Declaring variables and using them to store values.
- Logical statements
- Working with ‘If’ and ’Select case’ statements.
- Loops
- Working with ‘For … Next’, ‘For each … Next’, ‘Do while’ and ‘Do until’ loops.
- Message boxes
- Setting them up and the benefits they can bring.
- Other VBA features
- Such as ‘Auto open’ macros, changing Excel’s calculation mode and updating the status bar.
Intended Audience
The course is aimed at those who use Excel frequently but have had limited experience to date of working with and creating macros.
Prerequisites
A good understanding of Excel and some experience of financial modelling is required. Participants are not expected to have a background in programming or to have used VBA before.
Follow-On Courses
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Sample training request letter
Subject: Request for Programming & Development training from Applied Technology Academy
[Decision Maker Name],
I'm writing to request time and budget approval to complete Applied Technology Academy's course, Introduction to Visual Basic Training. The information below outlines how this training benefits our organization, the tasks I'll be able to perform after completing it, and relevant cost and funding details.
Course Description
The course provides participants with a thorough introduction to Visual Basic for Excel. Participants learn how to record macros and subsequently tidy the code, as well as how to write simple macros directly in the Visual Basic Editor. Also covered are loops and IF statements, creating message boxes, debugging, error handling and best practice recommendations. By attending the course, participants will gain an appreciation of when using macros is beneficial and how we can work with them in a safer and more user-friendly manner. Applied Technology Academy is an award-winning, SBA-certified woman-owned training provider (est. 2008) whose instructors are active practitioners; the course is hands-on with virtual labs and a learn-by-doing methodology.
Course Objectives
Once I've completed the course, I'll have hands-on, job-ready skills in programming & development that I can apply immediately to our work.
Expected Organizational Benefits
After completing this course, I will be better equipped to apply these skills directly to our projects, reduce our reliance on outside expertise, strengthen our team's capabilities, and share what I learn with colleagues.
Expected Cost & Funding
Course fee: [request an itemized quote at the link below]. Applied Technology Academy supports multiple funding paths that may reduce or cover this cost: GSA MAS purchasing and government purchase orders, military credentialing funding (Army CA, AF COOL, CG COOL), VA GI Bill and VR&E, ATA Flexible Spending, and student financing. Private team cohorts are available if colleagues should attend with me.
Conclusion
This training provides practical, hands-on experience I can apply immediately to strengthen our work in programming & development. Additional course information is available at https://appliedtechnologyacademy.com/introduction-to-visual-basic/.
Thank you for your consideration,
[Your Name]
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