Is VBA Hard to Learn?

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is a programming language that helps you work with Microsoft products. VBA makes it easy to work with a graphical user interface. It has been around for decades and has a rigid structure; hence, it isn’t as flexible as Python or Perl.

VBA is not hard to learn. It is one of the easiest coding languages to learn if you don’t have a computer science background. Anyone who uses Microsoft products such as Excel and Access probably has a little knowledge of working with VBA. 

For most people with a programming background, VBA is not difficult to learn. However, some programmers, even those with experience working with macros in Microsoft products, may find VBA challenging. Let’s explore the different opinions on learning VBA. 

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Why Is VBA Easy to Learn?

The beauty of learning VBA is that you don’t have to master the VBA syntax. You only need to understand the logic behind every macro you create. 

There’s a wonderful tool within MS Excel called the Macro Recorder. Learners and experienced programmers can use the recorder to record their actions, such as mouse movements or keyboard actions. Once you have recorded and saved actions, you can run the macro to perform the same actions in that exact sequence anytime you want. It’s that simple. 

What Makes Learning VBA Challenging?

For those who find learning VBA hard, some mention the difficulty in handling scripts. Constructing a script in VBA isn’t as easy as doing so in Perl and Python. 

With Perl and Python, the programmer finds the collections built right into the programming language. Yet, in VBA, what is known as a dict in Python is found in the Microsoft Scripting Reference library. The programmer has to use the Microsoft dictionary to run or create lists, sets, and arrays. 

What Skills Do I Need to Learn VBA Fast?

VBA is a newbie-friendly programming language. You can learn VBA at any stage of your life. People who have mastered VBA come from many different backgrounds. However, some skills make it easier to learn VBA concepts quickly. The fastest learners in VBA often possess:

• Analytical skills
• Some creativity
• A passion for coding
• Some knowledge of object-oriented programming

How Long Does It Take to Learn VBA?

How fast one learns to code in VBA depends on individual factors. However, we can make some educated guesses on how long it would take a first-time programmer to learn VBA from checking most online courses.

For example, if we check sites like Lynda and see beginning learners taking courses lasting between 10 and 30 hours to learn VBA. Many beginning programmers prefer pairing VBA courses with a course in Excel and Access. A beginner-friendly course in Excel to prepare you to work with macros may run for 10 to 20 hours total. A similar course in Access would require a further total course time of 10 to 20 hours. 

Assuming you’re facing challenges and may need longer than average to learn VBA, we can add 50% to the total time of 70 hours. That makes your total time investment 105 hours. Say you need an extra 50% of the time invested in revising for tests, then you will need around 35 hours to revise. 

Considering all these factors, it is likely to take an average learner without coding experience or knowledge in Microsoft Macros approximately 105 study hours to learn VBA. 

Is VBA Worth Learning?

Creating macros that automate repetitive tasks can be a bonus for anyone who uses data. Learning VBA can save you from spending so much time on boring, repetitive tasks over and over again. Plus, you don’t have to invest lots of time or money to learn VBA. VBA courses are available online and can be as easy as going through one tutorial. 

Here are the top six benefits why VBA is worth learning:

• Saves time. VBA is your personal assistant. Doing all those tasks you find repetitive and boring. 
• Reduces errors. A VBA program can reduce the instances of mistakes when running your data analysis. 
• Boosts career prospects. Working knowledge of VBA enhances your resume. It communicates to potential employers that you are an efficient worker who creates systems that reduce time wastage and eliminate system errors.
• Improves logical thinking. Creating Macros boosts your brain’s ability to think logically. 
• Saves money. Knowing how to create and run Macros can save you and your company from having to invest in expensive software programs and specialized software training. 
• Foundation for programming. With VBA being so easy to learn, many programmers learn it first and use it as the foundation for their programming progression. From VBA, you can move into more complex languages. 

What Is the Best Way to Learn VBA?

The best way to learn VBA is to install Microsoft Office on your computer and find a self-learning course online. To master VBA, simply practice what you learn. Create macros and macros sequences to solve automation tasks. 

As you begin using macros, use the Macros Recorder to record simple macros. Study these macros to identify codes for tasks such as selecting ranges, copy-pasting, changing values, adding formulas, or switching sheets. Learn how to edit macros and remove irrelevant steps to make your macros more efficient. 

Once you get started recording and editing macros, you are likely to start running into learning roadblocks. Use available search engines to fill in knowledge gaps. VBA has been in existence for decades, and there are hundreds of thousands of free online resources and forums to guide you in overcoming learning challenges. 

Another feature that makes learning VBA easy is the autocomplete. The in-built VBA editor makes suggestions once you start writing a selection. For example, if you start writing “selection. pa,” the VBA editor may autocomplete the suggestions ‘Paste’ and ‘Paste Special,’ among others. The editor will often bring up selections that you have used in the past and are already familiar with. This makes it easy if you’re usually running tasks of a similar nature. 

Sites such as Lynda.com, Stack Overflow, Free VBA MOOC, and Excel VBA is Fun can help you understand how to use Macros in Microsoft products in less than a day. 

Is VBA Still Relevant?

Some programmers may argue that VBA is dead and may soon be obsolete. VBA still has a future as a versatile and easy-to-use programming language. VBA is likely to remain relevant, especially for statistics, accounting, finance, and even regular office workers. 

What Are the Drawbacks of VBA?

Although VBA isn’t dead, Microsoft has lately been investing more in JavaScript. The reason is Microsoft wants to unify all its services across all devices such as the PC, Mac, and Mobile browsers.

Unlike VBA, JavaScript can work on virtually any device running an Office App. At the moment, VBA doesn’t run on Excel mobile or Excel online. Plus, VBA gets complicated when you want to create macros that run over both PC and Mac. 

Additionally, JavaScript pulls data from external sources much faster than VBA. In particular, the popularity of Google Suite, which also uses JavaScript, may have been a determining factor in Microsoft choosing JavaScript over VBA. 

Conclusion

VBA is great if you want to automate tasks within Microsoft products such as Excel, Access, or Word. VBA is also fantastic for programmers creating graphical user interfaces. For even beginner programmers, most people will find VBA easy to learn and use. 

However, some programmers find it easier to use Python parts, such as win32com, to automate tasks in Excel, Outlook, Access, and Word. VBA is built-in on all Microsoft office products and will run on almost all computer programs. If you will be automating tasks with Microsoft products, then learning how to create with VBA is your best bet.

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