Macro Cheat Sheet Ultimate Guide
- Michelle M
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Automation is key to improving productivity and efficiency. One of the best ways to achieve this is by using macros, which automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows. Whether you’re working with Excel, Google Sheets, programming scripts, or software applications, a well-structured macro cheat sheet can be a game-changer.
This guide will provide an in-depth look at macros, their applications, and a detailed macro cheat sheet to help you automate tasks like a pro.

What is a Macro?
A macro is a sequence of commands, keystrokes, or actions recorded and executed automatically to perform a repetitive task. Macros can be used in various applications such as:
Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets
Microsoft Word
Programming (Python, VBA, JavaScript)
Game scripting
Business process automation
By leveraging macros, users can reduce manual effort, increase accuracy, and enhance workflow efficiency.
Benefits of Using Macros
1. Saves Time and Effort
Macros eliminate repetitive tasks, allowing users to focus on more strategic activities.
2. Increases Accuracy
Since macros automate processes, they minimize human error and ensure consistency.
3. Enhances Productivity
By automating workflows, macros help complete tasks faster, boosting overall productivity.
4. Customizable for Various Applications
Macros can be tailored to specific needs, whether in Excel, programming, or business operations.
Macro Cheat Sheet: Essential Commands and Shortcuts
1. Microsoft Excel Macro Cheat Sheet
Action | VBA Code |
Create a simple macro | Sub MyMacro() MsgBox "Hello, World!" End Sub |
Auto format data | Selection.NumberFormat = "#,##0.00" |
Delete empty rows | ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Rows.Delete |
Copy and paste values | Selection.Copy Destination:=Range("B1") |
Loop through rows | For Each cell In Range("A1:A100") |
2. Google Sheets Macro Cheat Sheet (Apps Script)
Action | Apps Script Code |
Create a macro | function myMacro() { Browser.msgBox("Hello, World!"); } |
Format date column | var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet(); sheet.getRange("A:A").setNumberFormat("MM/DD/YYYY"); |
Delete duplicates | function removeDuplicates() { var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet(); var range = sheet.getDataRange(); range.removeDuplicates(); } |
Send an email | MailApp.sendEmail("email@example.com", "Subject", "Body"); |
3. Macro Cheat Sheet for Programming (Python & JavaScript)
Python Automation Macros
Task | Python Code |
Open a file | with open('file.txt', 'r') as file: print(file.read()) |
Automate email sending | import smtplib; smtp.sendmail('from@example.com', 'to@example.com', 'Subject: Hello') |
Web scraping | from bs4 import BeautifulSoup; soup = BeautifulSoup('<html></html>', 'html.parser') |
Automate Excel tasks | import pandas as pd; df = pd.read_excel('file.xlsx') |
JavaScript Macros
Task | JavaScript Code |
Automate button click | document.getElementById("button").click(); |
Extract text from a webpage | document.querySelector("p").innerText; |
Set a timeout function | setTimeout(function() { alert("Hello"); }, 3000); |
4. Macro Cheat Sheet for Business Process Automation
Task | Automation Tool |
Schedule recurring emails | Zapier, Power Automate |
Generate reports automatically | Google Data Studio, Tableau |
Auto-fill forms | RoboForm, AutoHotkey |
Integrate apps and workflows | Make (Integromat), IFTTT |
How to Create Your Own Macros
Step 1: Identify Repetitive Tasks
Look for tasks that consume significant time, such as data entry, formatting, or calculations.
Step 2: Choose the Right Tool
Decide whether to use VBA, Google Apps Script, Python, or another macro tool based on the application.
Step 3: Record or Write the Macro
Most applications allow recording macros, but you can also write scripts for more flexibility.
Step 4: Test and Optimize
Before implementing a macro, test it thoroughly to ensure it performs as expected.
Step 5: Automate and Scale
Once the macro works efficiently, integrate it into workflows to maximize automation benefits.
Common Mistakes When Using Macros
Not Testing the Macro Before Deployment – Always test macros on sample data first.
Hardcoding Values Instead of Using Variables – Make macros dynamic to adapt to different scenarios.
Ignoring Error Handling – Implement error handling to prevent crashes.
Forgetting to Save Work Before Running Macros – Some macros make irreversible changes.
Advanced Macro Techniques
1. Conditional Macros
Use logic to execute macros only under certain conditions.
Example (Excel VBA):
If Range("A1").Value = "Yes" Then Call MyMacro
2. Looping Through Data
Automate repetitive actions by looping through rows, columns, or data sets.
Example (Python Pandas):
for index, row in df.iterrows():
print(row['Column1'])
3. Event-Driven Macros
Trigger macros based on specific events, such as opening a file or clicking a button.
Example (Google Apps Script):
function onEdit(e) {
if (e.range.getA1Notation() == "A1") {
Browser.msgBox("Cell A1 was edited!");
}
}
Conclusion - Macro Cheat Sheet Ultimate Guide
Macro Cheat Sheet Ultimate Guide. Macros are powerful tools that can significantly boost productivity by automating repetitive tasks. Whether you’re using Excel, Google Sheets, programming languages, or business process automation tools, a well-organized macro cheat sheet can help you work smarter and more efficiently.
Start implementing macros in your daily tasks and experience the benefits of automation today!
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