How to Run Macros Automatically

Last Updated: January 6, 2021

This wikiHow will teach you how to run macros in Excel automatically when you open a specific workbook, or how to create a macro that opens all your workbooks when you open Excel. Before you start, make sure you have the developer tab showing on the editing ribbon.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Running a Macro Automatically for a Specific Workbook

1
Make sure the Developer tab is displayed on your editing ribbon. If it isn't and you're using a Windows computer, go to the File tab and click Options > Customize ribbon. Under "Main tabs" check the box next to "Developer."
- If you're using a Mac, you'll be able to enable the developer tab by going to Excel > Preferences (the menu at the top of your screen) then clicking Ribbon & Toolbar. In the "Customize the Ribbon" category, click the "Developer" checkbox and click Save.
2
Click the Developer tab and select Visual Basic.

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3
Double-click your workbook from the panel on the left. You'll see it listed under "VBA Project," but if you don't see it, click to expand the "VBA Project" folder.
4
Enter the following code:
```
Private Sub Workbook_Open()

 Put your Macro-code here

End Sub
```
5
Close the Visual Basic Editor. You don't have to click save or anything before closing the editor.
- The next time you open this workbook, the macro code you entered between the sub and end sub lines will run.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Creating a Macro to Run Automatically When You Start Excel

1
Make sure the Developer tab is displayed on your editing ribbon. If it isn't and you're using a Windows computer, go to the File tab and click Options > Customize ribbon. Under "Main tabs" check the box next to "Developer."
- If you're using a Mac, you'll be able to enable the developer tab by going to Excel > Preferences (the menu at the top of your screen) then clicking Ribbon & Toolbar. In the "Customize the Ribbon" category, click the "Developer" checkbox and click Save.
- This macro will open all the worksheets you want to open when you launch Excel, which is highly useful if you work on a few different projects each day.
2
Click Record Macro. It's in the "Developer" tab in the "Code" grouping.
3
Enter your macro name. Name it something like "Auto_Open" so you can read the title and know what it does.
4
Click Personal Macro Workbook. You'll see this in the "Store macro in" box and will make the macro available every time you open Excel.
- You can fill out the description to remind you specifically of what this macro does.
5
Click Ok. That window will close and every keystroke or button press will be recorded in the macro.
6
Click the File and click Open. Your file manager will open.
7
Select all the workbooks you want to open when you open Excel. If you need to select files in different locations, hold down Shift and click them.
8
Click Stop Recording. All the keystrokes and button presses you made are recorded and stored in the macro.
9
Close Excel. You'll be prompted to save the changes you've made, so click Yes and your macro will open all those workbooks whenever you restart Excel.