VBA Training South Africa – Visual Basic for Applications
Three-Day Practical Excel Automation & Macros Course
College Africa Group provides practical Visual Basic for Applications training for experienced Excel users who want to automate repetitive tasks, create and edit macros, and develop more efficient spreadsheet processes.
This intensive three-day course moves beyond everyday spreadsheet use into Excel automation and programming.
Delegates progress from recording and editing macros to understanding the Excel object model, variables, decision structures, loops, procedures, user interaction, ActiveX controls and error handling.
The emphasis is practical: identify repetitive work, understand the process, automate appropriate steps and test the result carefully.
Duration: Three days
Typical training time: 09h00–15h30 per day
Delivery: Onsite or instructor-led virtual training
Level: Advanced / specialist Excel automation
Certificate: Electronic Certificate of Attendance
Who Should Attend Visual Basic for Applications Training?
This course is designed for experienced Excel users who want to move beyond manual spreadsheet processes and learn how to automate repetitive work.
It is particularly suitable for:
- Finance and accounting professionals
- Business and data analysts
- Reporting specialists
- Administrators working with repetitive Excel processes
- HR and payroll professionals
- Operations and logistics teams
- Managers responsible for recurring reports
- Advanced Excel users who want to learn macros and automation
What Excel Knowledge Is Recommended?
Visual Basic for Applications is not an introductory Excel course. Delegates should already be comfortable with formulas, worksheets, ranges and working with business data.
Advanced Excel training or equivalent practical experience is recommended. Completion of a specific College Africa Group Advanced Excel course is not compulsory.
If delegates need to strengthen their Excel knowledge first, review our Advanced Excel Training pathway.
Employees who need stronger formula, data and reporting skills before moving into programming can also consider Formulas & Reporting.
What Is Visual Basic for Applications?
Visual Basic for Applications, commonly known as VBA, is the programming language built into Microsoft Office applications. In Excel, it can be used to create macros and automate repetitive or rule-based processes.
Instead of repeatedly performing the same manual steps, an experienced Excel user can create procedures that perform those steps automatically.
Visual Basic for Applications can also support processes involving other Microsoft Office applications, making it useful where a business process extends beyond a single Excel workbook.
Why Automate Excel Tasks?
Automation can be valuable when a process is repetitive, consistent and performed regularly.
Employees may spend considerable time repeating the same spreadsheet activities every day, week or month. Where those activities follow a predictable process, automation may reduce repetitive manual work and improve consistency.
Examples can include:
- Automating recurring Excel reports
- Importing and consolidating information from multiple files
- Formatting worksheets and reports consistently
- Creating repeatable data-processing routines
- Automating validation and quality checks
- Generating documents or reports from Excel data
- Sending Outlook emails from Excel
- Creating user prompts and customised forms
- Automating repetitive spreadsheet administration
- Connecting processes across Microsoft Office applications
When Should You Not Use VBA?
Programming is not automatically the best answer to every Excel problem.
Before developing code, users should consider whether Excel formulas, Tables, Dynamic Arrays, PivotTables, Power Query or other built-in functionality can solve the problem more simply.
The objective is to choose the simplest reliable solution for the business requirement rather than automate a process unnecessarily.
Visual Basic for Applications Course Content
1. Record and Edit Macros
Use Excel’s Macro Recorder as the starting point for understanding automation and then edit recorded code to make it more efficient.
- Record a macro using the Record Macro feature
- Edit a recorded macro
- Understand different macro storage locations
2. Understand VBA Objects, Properties, Methods and Events
Learn how Visual Basic for Applications interacts with Excel through its object model.
- Understand objects, properties, methods and events
- Navigate an object hierarchy
- Understand how Application, Workbooks, Worksheets and Range objects are related
3. Work with Workbook VBA Code
Move beyond recorded macros and begin working directly with code inside an Excel workbook.
- Edit a workbook’s VBA code
- Create variables for use within VBA code
- Understand procedure-level, module-level and public variables
4. Use Logic and Boolean Operators
Apply logical tests so automated processes can respond differently to different conditions.
- Understand Boolean operators
- Use If…Else constructs
- Use Select Case constructs
5. Repeat Tasks with Looping Structures
Use loops to repeat blocks of code when a process needs to be applied across multiple items, ranges or records.
- Repeat blocks of code using looping structures
- Apply repetition to appropriate spreadsheet automation tasks
6. Create Procedures and Functions
Structure code into reusable procedures and understand the role of sub procedures and function procedures.
- Understand the difference between a sub procedure and a function procedure
- Create VBA code using a sub procedure
7. Interact with the User
Build controlled interaction into an automated Excel process.
- Use message boxes and input boxes
- Create a customised dialog box
- Add an ActiveX control to a worksheet
8. Handle Errors in VBA Code
Introduce error handling so code can respond appropriately when a specified problem occurs.
- Understand Resume, Resume Next and Resume Label statements
- Create VBA code that traps specified errors
9. Use VBA Across Microsoft Office
Understand how Visual Basic for Applications can support processes that extend beyond a single Excel workbook.
- Interact with Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
- Recognise opportunities to automate repetitive cross-application tasks
10. Apply VBA to Workplace Automation
Bring the course concepts together around practical automation opportunities in the workplace.
- Identify repetitive tasks that may be suitable for automation
- Choose when VBA is appropriate and when built-in Excel functionality may be simpler
- Test and validate automated processes before operational use
Download the Visual Basic for Applications Course Outline
View the detailed content for this three-day practical course.
View / Download Course Outline (PDF)
CAG_Visual_Basic_for_Applications_Excel_Automation_Three_Day_Course
What Will Delegates Be Able to Do?
By the end of the three-day programme, delegates will have worked with the key concepts required to develop and maintain practical Excel automation.
- Record and edit Excel macros
- Navigate the VBA object model and work with key Excel objects
- Create and use variables within code
- Apply Boolean logic, If…Else and Select Case structures
- Use loops to repeat blocks of code
- Create and work with sub procedures
- Use message boxes, input boxes and customised dialog boxes
- Add ActiveX controls to worksheets
- Apply basic error-handling techniques
- Recognise practical opportunities for Excel and Microsoft Office automation
Is VBA Still Relevant with ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot?
Yes. Generative AI and Visual Basic for Applications perform different roles.
AI tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can assist users with explaining code, suggesting approaches, troubleshooting and generating draft code. Visual Basic for Applications provides programmed automation within supported Microsoft Office environments.
AI-generated code should always be understood, tested and validated before it is used in an operational workbook or business process.
Employees interested in newer Microsoft 365 Excel functionality can also explore Modern Excel 365.
VBA Training or Excel Automation Consulting?
Not every organisation needs employees to become programmers.
Choose training when employees need to understand, develop or maintain Visual Basic for Applications solutions themselves.
Where the primary requirement is to automate an existing workbook, repair macros, improve a reporting process or develop a practical Excel solution, consulting may be more appropriate.
College Africa Group provides Excel Consulting and VBA Automation Services for organisations that need practical spreadsheet and automation solutions.
Where Does VBA Fit in the Excel Training Pathway?
Visual Basic for Applications is a specialist automation course rather than the next compulsory level after Intermediate or Advanced Excel.
The College Africa Group Excel pathway includes:
- MS Excel Basic – essential spreadsheet foundations
- MS Excel Intermediate – formulas, data and everyday reporting
- Advanced Excel Training – the Advanced Excel pathway
- Formulas & Reporting – advanced formulas, data and reporting
- Business Modelling – XLOOKUP, What-If Analysis and business modelling
- Modern Excel 365 – modern Microsoft 365 Excel functionality
- Visual Basic for Applications – macros, programming and Excel automation
The appropriate progression depends on what employees need to accomplish with Excel rather than simply completing courses in sequence.
Corporate VBA Training South Africa
College Africa Group provides instructor-led training for corporate teams requiring practical Excel automation skills.
The three-day programme can be delivered onsite at the client’s premises or through live instructor-led virtual training.
Corporate delivery is particularly appropriate where employees work with similar reporting, spreadsheet or automation requirements and need the skills to develop or maintain solutions internally.
Why Choose College Africa Group?
- Corporate training experience since 2003
- Practical three-day Visual Basic for Applications programme
- Excel pathway from foundational through specialist skills
- Workplace-focused automation examples
- Onsite and instructor-led virtual delivery
- Electronic Certificate of Attendance
- Excel consulting and automation support available
- B-BBEE Level 2 company
Frequently Asked Questions About Visual Basic for Applications
What is VBA in Excel?
VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications. It is a programming language used within Microsoft Office applications to create macros, automate repetitive tasks and develop customised processes.
Is this course suitable for Excel beginners?
No. Delegates should already be confident Excel users. Employees who need stronger spreadsheet foundations should first consider the appropriate Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Excel training.
Do delegates have to complete an Advanced Excel course first?
No specific College Africa Group course is compulsory. However, delegates should have a good working knowledge of Excel formulas, worksheets, ranges and business data before attending.
How long is the course?
The Visual Basic for Applications course is an intensive three-day programme, normally delivered from approximately 09h00 to 15h30 each day.
Does the course cover Excel macros?
Yes. Delegates learn how to record macros and then edit and develop code beyond what can be achieved through the Macro Recorder alone.
Can Visual Basic for Applications automate repetitive Excel work?
Yes. Automating repetitive and rule-based Excel processes is one of its primary business applications.
Can VBA work with Outlook, Word and PowerPoint?
Visual Basic for Applications can interact with supported Microsoft Office applications, allowing organisations to develop processes that extend beyond a single Excel workbook.
Is VBA still useful when employees have access to AI?
Yes. AI can assist with explaining, drafting and troubleshooting code, while Visual Basic for Applications provides programmed automation within Microsoft Office. AI-generated code should be reviewed and tested before operational use.
Should we choose training or Excel consulting?
Choose training when employees need to develop or maintain automation capability themselves. Where the requirement is primarily to automate, repair or improve a particular workbook or business process, Excel Consulting and VBA Automation may be more appropriate.
Enquire About Visual Basic for Applications Training
Tell us how many employees require training, their current Excel experience and the types of spreadsheet processes they would like to automate.
Arnold Muscat: 083 778 4903
Email: sales@collegeafricagroup.com