Macros are short sequences of code written in VBA, short for Visual Basic for Applications’. Well-written macros can help you to repeat an action or sequence of actions that you program them to do. The advantages are obvious – speed and accuracy!

For any person without programming background, the idea of creating a macro can be daunting. But don’t despair! VBA is one of the simplest programming languages, and with some practice, you should be able to create your own macros quickly.

How to create macros:

To create macros in PowerPoint, click on the Developer tab on the ribbon.

Click on the ‘Visual Basic’ tab option. This should open the VBA interface where you can start coding.

There is a lot of information available on the internet on VBA programming.

The best place to get support and step-by-step instructions is the MSDN library

Of course, it is always convenient to start with some examples. Some sites that offer examples of VBA for PowerPoint are:

http://www.loyola.edu/edudept/powerfulpowerpoint/MoreTricks.html

http://www.indezine.com/products/powerpoint/program/2009/03/create-spirograph-in-powerpoint.html

How to run a macro:

To run a macro, click on ‘Macros’ in the Developer tab. This will open a window showing all macros, and you can choose a macro to run.

PowerPoint’s default security setting is to disable all macros. If you wish to run a macro, you will need to change this setting.

How PowerPoint saves the file with the macro

The PowerPoint file that now contains the macro is treated and named differently from regular PowerPoint files. When you save, PowerPoint saves in.pptm, .ppstm or .potm extension depending on whether you are saving on a presentation, a show, or a design template.