Microsoft® Project 2007 Bible

Chapter 23. Using Macros to Speed Your Work

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Using macros

• Recording macros

• Running macros

• Using shortcuts to run macros

Macros are small programs that carry out repetitive tasks that you perform frequently. You may have used macros in a word processing program. Macros work the same way in Project as they do in your word processor.

Don't let the word program in the preceding paragraph deter you from getting 10 know macros. Although you can work with the macro programming code, Project provides an easier way for you to write a macro, which I present in this chapter.

Using Macros

Macros are most useful when you need to perform any repetitive task. In particular, you can use Project macros to do the following:

• Display or hide frequently used toolbars

• Display frequently used tables

• Display frequently used views

• Switch to a custom view

• Generate standard reports

As you become comfortable using Project, you'll identify the steps that you take over and over again; these tasks are excellent candidates for macros.

Recording Macros

Project stores macros in the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) programming language. And if you're adept at programming, you can write your macro directly in the VBA programming language. Figure 23.1 shows a sample of the instructions that are stored in a macro in Visual Basic.

Most people prefer to record a macro. When you record a macro, you have Project memorize the steps that you want to take and then store those steps. That is, you do whatever it is you want ...