Use macros and add-ons

Modified on Mon, 22 Sep at 1:03 PM

Excel: Individual messages	Sheets: Macros and Google Apps Script
Excel 2013 and 2010	Automate repetitive tasks with macros in Sheets. Or, if you need custom functions, menus, or windows, you can create them with Google Apps Script. Review macro best practices Limit the number of actions in a macro for optimum performance. Use macros for frequently repeated operations that don’t need much configuration. Use unique macro shortcuts. You can have up to 10 shortcuts per sheet. Open additional macros from ToolsMacros. Reduce macro duplication by applying a macro created for a single cell to a range of cells by selecting the full range of cells and then activating the macro. Macro scripts are specific to individual sheets and can only be used in Sheets—they won’t work in Google Docs, Forms, or Slides. Record a macro: On your computer, open a spreadsheet at sheets.google.com. At the top, click Extensions Macros Record macro. At the bottom, choose which type of cell reference you want your macro to use: Use absolute references: The macro will do tasks on the exact cell you record. For example, if you bold cell A1, the macro will only ever bold cell A1 regardless of which cell you clicked. Use relative references: The macro will do tasks on the cell you select and its nearby cells. For example, if you record bolding cells A1 and B1, the macro can later be used to bold cells C1 and D1. Complete the task you want to record. When you’re done, click Save. Name the macro, create a custom shortcut, and click Save. Note: When you create a macro in Google Sheets, an Apps Script is created. To edit this Apps Script, at the top, click Tools Script editor. To perform a macro, click Extensions Macros the macro you want. Create a script: Click ToolsScript editor. Create your script.

Limit the number of actions in a macro for optimum performance.
Use macros for frequently repeated operations that don’t need much configuration.
Use unique macro shortcuts. You can have up to 10 shortcuts per sheet. Open additional macros from ToolsMacros.
Reduce macro duplication by applying a macro created for a single cell to a range of cells by selecting the full range of cells and then activating the macro.
Macro scripts are specific to individual sheets and can only be used in Sheets—they won’t work in Google Docs, Forms, or Slides.

Record a macro:

On your computer, open a spreadsheet at sheets.google.com.
At the top, click Extensions Macros Record macro.
At the bottom, choose which type of cell reference you want your macro to use:

Use absolute references: The macro will do tasks on the exact cell you record. For example, if you bold cell A1, the macro will only ever bold cell A1 regardless of which cell you clicked.
Use relative references: The macro will do tasks on the cell you select and its nearby cells. For example, if you record bolding cells A1 and B1, the macro can later be used to bold cells C1 and D1.

Complete the task you want to record. When you’re done, click Save.
Name the macro, create a custom shortcut, and click Save.

Note: When you create a macro in Google Sheets, an Apps Script is created. To edit this Apps Script, at the top, click Tools Script editor.

To perform a macro, click Extensions and then Macros the macro you want.

Create a script:

Click ToolsScript editor.
Create your script.

Convert Excel macros to Google Sheets

Excel: Edit macros	Sheets: Recreate macros in Sheets
Excel 2010 and 2013	You can convert macros in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to Google Sheets by re-creating them using Google Apps Script. Apps Script powers macros in Sheets, just like Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications does for Excel. Re-create and edit a macro in Sheets using Apps Script: Make a note of the macros in your original Excel spreadsheet that you need to re-create in Sheets. In Sheets, open a spreadsheet and click ToolsMacrosRecord macro. Select the type of cell reference to use and click Save. Complete the task that you want to record and click Save. Enter a name for the macro and, optionally, a shortcut number and click Save. Click ToolsMacrosManage macros to edit your script. Next to the macro that you want to edit, click MoreEdit script. In the macros.gs section, make your changes to the code. If needed, use the Sheets Apps Script documentation or search online for the JavaScript concept that you need. Click Save macro and close the tab to return to your spreadsheet. Repeat steps 2–7 for any additional macros that you want to re-create from your original spreadsheet. Activate a macro in Sheets Click ToolsMacrosyour saved macro. You can also run your macro by using its keyboard shortcut. If it’s the first time you run the macro, allow authorization. Tip: For more about how the Apps Script library can mimic common Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) functions, go to Simplifying Migration from VBA to Google Apps Script.

Excel:
Edit macros

Sheets:
Recreate macros in Sheets

Excel 2010 and 2013

You can convert macros in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to Google Sheets by re-creating them using Google Apps Script. Apps Script powers macros in Sheets, just like Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications does for Excel.

Re-create and edit a macro in Sheets using Apps Script:

Make a note of the macros in your original Excel spreadsheet that you need to re-create in Sheets.
In Sheets, open a spreadsheet and click ToolsMacrosRecord macro.
Select the type of cell reference to use and click Save.
Complete the task that you want to record and click Save.
Enter a name for the macro and, optionally, a shortcut number and click Save.
Click ToolsMacrosManage macros to edit your script.
Next to the macro that you want to edit, click MoreEdit script.
In the macros.gs section, make your changes to the code. If needed, use the Sheets Apps Script documentation or search online for the JavaScript concept that you need.
Click Save macro and close the tab to return to your spreadsheet.
Repeat steps 2–7 for any additional macros that you want to re-create from your original spreadsheet.

Activate a macro in Sheets

Click ToolsMacrosyour saved macro. You can also run your macro by using its keyboard shortcut.
If it’s the first time you run the macro, allow authorization.

Tip: For more about how the Apps Script library can mimic common Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) functions, go to Simplifying Migration from VBA to Google Apps Script.

Do more with add-ons

Excel: Add-Ins	Sheets: Add-ons
Excel 2013 Excel 2010	Use ready-made add-ons to do more with Sheets. Here’s a few things you can do: Use the Data connector for Salesforce to connect with Salesforce. Use Supermetrics to connect with MySQL and Oracle. Use Copper CRM Custom Report Builder to integrate Copper CRM data. Use Greenhouse Report Connector to integrate Greenhouse recruiting data. Download add-ons: Click Add-onsGet add-ons. (Optional) To see a description of the add-on, point to it or click it for a full description. Click the add-on you want to install and click Free. If needed, review the access message and click Allow.

Excel:
Add-Ins

Sheets:
Add-ons

Excel 2013

Excel 2010

Use ready-made add-ons to do more with Sheets. Here’s a few things you
can do:

Use the Data connector for Salesforce to connect with Salesforce.
Use Supermetrics to connect with MySQL and Oracle.
Use Copper CRM Custom Report Builder to integrate Copper CRM data.
Use Greenhouse Report Connector to integrate Greenhouse
recruiting data.

Download add-ons:

Click Add-onsGet add-ons.
(Optional) To see a description of the add-on, point to it or click it for a full description.
Click the add-on you want to install and click Free.
If needed, review the access message and click Allow.

Use macros and add-ons

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