

(You can also add a shortcut key to allow quick access to run your macro in the future.)Ĭlick SAVE again and Google Sheets will save your macro.Ħ) Your macro is now available to use and is accessed through the Tools > Macros menu:ħ) The first time you run the macro, you’ll be prompted to grant it permission to run.

You’ll notice the macro recorder logging each step:ĥ) When you’ve finished, click SAVE and give your Macro a name: make it bold, make it bigger, change the color, etc.). It’s useful for things like formulas that you want to apply to different cells.Ĥ) Apply some formatting to the text in cell A1 (e.g. Relative references apply the formatting based on where your cursor is (if you record your macro applied to cell A1, but then re-run the macro when you’ve selected cell D5, the macro steps will be applied to D5 now). It’s useful if you want to apply steps to a new batch of data each time, and it’s in the same range location each time. For this first example, let’s choose relative references:Ībsolute references apply the formatting to the same range of cells each time (if you select A1:D10 for example, it’ll always apply the macro to these cells). Let’s run through the process of creating a super basic macro, in steps:ġ) Open a new Google Sheet ( pro-tip 1: type sheets.new into your browser to create a new Sheet instantly, or pro-tip 2: in your Drive folder hit Shift + s to create a new Sheet in that folder instantly).Ģ) Go to the macro menu: Tools > Macros > Record macroģ) You have a choice between Absolute or Relative references. There’s the obvious reason that macros in Google Sheets can save you heaps of time, allowing you to focus on higher value activity.īut there’s a host of other less obvious reasons like: avoiding mistakes, ensuring consistency in your work, decreased boredom at work (corollary: increased motivation!) and lastly, they’re a great doorway into the wonderful world of Apps Script coding, where you can really turbocharge your spreadsheets and Google Workspace work. Why should you use macros in Google Sheets? Redo the process whenever you want at the click of a button.Click the button to stop recording the macro.Click a button to start recording a macro.This is where Google Sheets macros come in, and this is how they work: And anything that’s repetitive is a great contender for automating. You’re just going through the same motions as yesterday, or last week, or last month. There are probably some tasks you perform repeatedly, such as formatting reports to look a certain way, or adding the same chart to new sales data, or creating that special formula unique to your business. Think of a typical day at work with Google Sheets open. A peek under the hood of Google Sheets Macros.Best Practices for Google Sheets Macros.Learn more about Google Apps Script in this free, beginner Introduction To Apps Script course Contents
