Macro recording can produce VBA code replicating user actions, thus allowing simple automation of regular tasks.

VBA allows the creation of forms and in-worksheet controls to communicate with the user.

The language supports use (but not creation) of ActiveX (COM) DLL's; later versions add support for class modules allowing the use of basic object-oriented programming (OOP) techniques.

VBA can be used to control almost all aspects of the host application, including manipulating user interface features such as menus and toolbars and working with custom user forms or dialog boxes.

VBA can also be used to create import and export filters for various file formats.

VBA is closely related to Visual Basic, but it can normally only run code from within a host application rather than as a stand-alone application. It can however be used to control one application from another application (for example, automatically creating a Word report from Excel data).