We specialise in building and automating Excel spreadsheets, as well as enhancing existing spreadsheets.

Excel is one of the most widely-used software programs in the world.  For many years it has been popular with businesses of all sizes and  is the ‘go to’ program when spreadsheets, charts and graphs are required. 

But all too often repetitive, time-involved processes become the norm – copying/pasting data between spreadsheets, re-keying data, cleaning up formulas to accommodate new data, and other similar tasks.  There is a better way – these types of tasks can be automated using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), the programming language which underlies all of Microsoft Office.  Some users are adept at recording macros, but when changes are needed (for example to allow for the input of a date), or when something more complex is required (that can’t be accomplished simply by recording a macro) a strong knowledge of VBA is needed.  This is where Rightcoast IT can help.

Some of the benefits of adding VBA automation to your spreadsheets:

• Speed – significant time savings can be achieved.  At the click of a button, tasks can be completed in a fraction of the time.
• Reduced risk of errors – processes with mulitple steps such as copying/pasting, adjusting formulas, etc. can easily go wrong; replacing these with an automated process significantly lessens the chance of things going awry.
• Pop up screens can be added which guide users through data input and allow greater control of your data.
• Import/export of data – data can be imported from various external sources, and exported to various formats without the need for copying, pasting, and reformatting.
• Integration with other Microsoft Office programs – data can be easily imported from, or exported to Access, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook.  For example, data from Excel can be loaded into a Word document, and that document can be attached to an Outlook e-mail and either sent or saved as a draft.

While it is generally best to ‘use the right tool for the right job’ (as discussed on the Access Database page), sometimes there are restrictions on the software available on users’ PCs.  In those scenarios, it is possible to stretch the boundaries of Excel, and mimic some of the functionality of a database.

If you’d like to discuss ways to enhance your existing spreadsheets, or if you need spreadsheets designed from scratch, please get in touch.