Macros

Microsoft Word's macro feature enables you to automate repetitive tasks within Word. For example, suppose you often insert a table, with specific size and formatting settings, in your Word documents. You can turn on Word's macro recorder and perform the steps to insert the table. Word records each step as you work. You then save the resulting macro so you can run it at any time. This can be a real timesaver because not only will Word faithfully repeat all the steps you included in the macro, but it will do it much quicker than you could do it manually.

Word's macro feature uses Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), a programming language that makes it possible to create complex macro routines for Word. Wizards, for example, which I discuss in Chapter 2, are created with VBA. VBA is extremely powerful. Unfortunately, however, it requires a solid understanding of the VBA programming language. It has also become a popular tool for virus programmers who unleash their creations on unsuspecting Office users.

This chapter tells you how you can get started using Word's macro feature. It explains how you can record, run, and modify macros. It introduces the VBA programming environment and tells you how you can access VBA-specific help. It also covers Word's built-in macro virus protection feature and explains how you can use it to prevent Word viruses from infecting your computer.