Rather than typing macros character by character, you can have Excel create a macro by recording the menu commands, keystrokes, and other actions needed to accomplish a task.

After you’ve recorded a series of actions, you can run the macro to perform the task again. This playback capability is most useful with macros that automate long or repetitive processes.

The overall process for recording a macro consists of three steps. First, you start the macro recorder and supply a name for the macro. Next, you perform the actions you want to record, such as choosing menu commands, selecting cells, and entering data. Finally, you stop the macro recorder.

Let’s investigate this process by creating a simple macro that inserts a company name and address in a worksheet. Begin by saving and closing all open workbooks, and then open a new workbook. Then follow these steps:

1. Choose Tools, Macro, Record New Macro. Excel displays the Record Macro dialog box.
   
   
2. Assign a name to the macro. You can accept Excel’s suggestion (Macro1) or enter your own name. Let’s use MyPolyAddress. Note that this name cannot have any spaces.
   
   
3. You have the option of assigning a key combination to the macro by entering a letter — in this case, uppercase A—in the Shortcut Key edit box.
   
   
4. Store the macro in the currently active workbook by making sure the "This Workbook" option is selected.
   
   
5. Enter a description for the macro in the Description box; in this case, type Enter my Poly address.
   
   
6. To begin recording, click OK. Excel displays the message Recording in the status bar, and the Stop Recording toolbar. Use the Stop Recording toolbar if you need to stop the recording process.
   
   
7. Select A2, and enter "Prof. Ming Leung". In A3, enter "Polytechnic University". In A4, enter "Six Metrotech Center", and in A5 enter "Brooklyn, NY 11201".
   
   
8. Click the Stop Recording Macro button on the Stop Recording toolbar. If the toolbar isn’t visible, choose Tools, Macro, Stop Recording. This step is important; if you don’t stop the macro recorder, Excel continues to record your actions indefinitely.