How to Create a Shortcut to Start Macros in Excel Without Opening the Visual Basic Editor

Managing macros in Excel can significantly enhance your productivity, but accessing the Visual Basic Editor (VBE) every time you want to run a macro can be cumbersome. Fortunately, you can create shortcuts for macros in Excel to streamline this process. This guide will walk you through two methods to do so:

Method 1: Assigning a Shortcut Key to a Macro

Open Excel: Start Excel and open the workbook that contains the macro. Access Macros: Go to the View tab on the Ribbon. Click on Macros in the Macros group, then select View Macros. Select the Macro: In the Macro dialog box, select the macro you want to assign a shortcut to. Assign Shortcut Key: Click on the Options button. In the Macro Options dialog, you will see a field for Shortcut key. Enter a letter, e.g., m for Ctr m or Shift m for Ctrl Shift m. Note that using a lowercase letter will assign Ctr letter while an uppercase letter will assign Ctr Shift letter. Save and Close: Click OK to close the Macro Options dialog. Click Close in the Macro dialog box.

Method 2: Adding a Button to the Quick Access Toolbar

Open Excel: Start Excel and open the workbook that contains the macro. Customize Quick Access Toolbar: Click the small drop-down arrow at the end of the Quick Access Toolbar, usually located at the top left of the Excel window. Select More Commands. Select Macros: In the Excel Options dialog, choose Macros from the Add from section. Select the macro you want to add from the list and click the Add button to move it to the Quick Access Toolbar. Customize Icon (Optional): You can click on Modify to change the icon and display name of the macro button. This step is optional and can enhance usability. Save and Close: Click OK to save your changes.

Using the Shortcut

To run the macro using the shortcut key, simply press the assigned key combination, e.g., Ctr m. To run the macro using the Quick Access Toolbar, click on the macro button you added.

Important Notes

Ensure that macros are enabled in your Excel settings for the shortcuts to work. If you are using an Excel version that supports the Ribbon interface, the steps may vary slightly, but the overall approach remains similar.

By following these methods, you can easily run your macros without needing to access the Visual Basic Editor, enhancing your workflow and efficiency.