Automate Excel Macros: Run Them Instantly

Victoria Jul 07, 2026

Automating tasks in Excel can significantly boost your productivity, and running macros is a powerful way to achieve this. Macros are sets of instructions that Excel can follow to perform repetitive tasks automatically. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to run a macro in Excel automatically.

Excel Macro Tutorial for Beginners: Create Macros In 7 Easy Steps
Excel Macro Tutorial for Beginners: Create Macros In 7 Easy Steps

Before we dive into automating macros, let's ensure you have the Developer tab enabled in your Excel ribbon. If not, you can enable it by following these steps: Right-click on the ribbon > Customize the Ribbon > Check 'Developer'.

How to Create Macros in Excel Tutorial
How to Create Macros in Excel Tutorial

Creating a Macro

Before you can run a macro automatically, you'll need to create one. Here's how:

How to Record a Macro in Excel - A Step by Step Guide
How to Record a Macro in Excel - A Step by Step Guide

1. Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) window.

2. In the VBA window, go to Insert > Module to insert a new module.

How to Create Excel Macros So You Can Work Faster (+ video tutorial)
How to Create Excel Macros So You Can Work Faster (+ video tutorial)

3. In the module, type Sub MacroName() (replace 'MacroName' with a name for your macro), and press Enter.

Recording a Macro

If you're not familiar with VBA, you can record your macro. Here's how:

5 macros I use to automate my Excel workbook
5 macros I use to automate my Excel workbook

1. In the VBA window, go to Developer > Record Macro.

2. In the 'Record Macro' dialog box, give your macro a name, choose a location to store it (usually 'Personal Macro Workbook'), and click OK.

3. Perform the tasks you want to automate in Excel. Excel will record these actions.

Macro Mondays - How To Run An Excel Macro Automatically When You Open Your Excel Workbook
Macro Mondays - How To Run An Excel Macro Automatically When You Open Your Excel Workbook

4. To stop recording, go to Developer > Stop Recording.

Running a Macro Manually

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Learn Excel Macros with This Practical Example!
Macros First Step
Macros First Step

Before automating, let's first learn how to run a macro manually:

1. Go to the Developer tab.

2. In the 'Code' group, click on Macros.

3. In the 'Macros' dialog box, select your macro and click Run.

Automating Macros

Now, let's learn how to run a macro in Excel automatically. We'll use two methods: AutoOpen and Workbook_Open event.

Both methods will run your macro automatically whenever you open the workbook containing the macro.

Using AutoOpen

Here's how to use the AutoOpen feature:

1. In the VBA window, go to the module containing your macro.

2. Add the following line at the top of your module: Sub AutoOpen().

3. Press Enter, and then type MacroName (replace 'MacroName' with the name of your macro).

4. Press Enter again to create a new line, and then type End Sub.

Using Workbook_Open Event

Here's how to use the Workbook_Open event:

1. In the VBA window, go to Insert > Module to insert a new module.

2. In the module, type Private Sub Workbook_Open(), press Enter, and then type MacroName (replace 'MacroName' with the name of your macro).

3. Press Enter again to create a new line, and then type End Sub.

Now, whenever you open the workbook, your macro will run automatically. To stop the macro from running automatically, simply delete the AutoOpen subroutine or the Workbook_Open event from the VBA module.

Incorporating automation into your Excel workflow can save you countless hours and reduce human error. Running macros automatically is just one way to achieve this. Happy automating!