Using Excel Macros & VBA with ChatGPT: A Practical Programme for Professionals and Business Managers

Description

This is a 2-day workshop to be conducted on 15th - 16th July 2024.

For professionals and business managers who have mastered intermediate skills in Excel, there is an opportunity to elevate your expertise to new heights by learning to use VBA macros. While many are comfortable with basic Excel functions, the sophisticated art of macro writing often remains unexplored. Yet, VBA macros in Excel are a "hidden gem" – an underutilized tool that can significantly enhance efficiency and speed up work.

While understanding programming can be daunting and setting up macros may seem complex, this hands-on workshop aims to demystify these aspects. With the integration of ChatGPT, an AI-driven assistant, we will guide you through the intricacies of Excel Macros & VBA in a straightforward and accessible manner. ChatGPT will provide real-time support, clarifying concepts, answering questions, and offering tailored examples specifically relevant to management reporting and accounting/finance tasks.

This workshop is designed for those with little to no prior programming experience. Through extensive explanations, practical examples, and the innovative support of ChatGPT, we aim to alleviate any apprehensions and unlock the full potential of Excel Macros & VBA in your professional toolkit.

Programme Outline

1. Introduction to Macros & VBA

• Realizing the Potential of Excel using VBA
• Introduction to Building Blocks for Writing Macros in Excel’s VBA
• Introduction to Programming Concepts and Writing Code with ChatGPT Support
• Best Practices for VBA: ChatGPT-Guided Tips for Readability, Speed, and Robustness

2. Controlling Code with ChatGPT

• Making Code Do What You Want: ChatGPT-Assisted Guidance
• Writing Easily Modifiable Codes with ChatGPT Insights
• Optimizing Macro Speed: Techniques Explained by ChatGPT

3. Interacting with Excel through ChatGPT

• Automating Common Excel Functions with ChatGPT Tips
• Engaging with Users: ChatGPT Strategies for User Response Integration
• Reading/Writing Data from/to Excel Worksheets: ChatGPT-Simplified Methods
• Crafting Your Own Functions: Extending Excel’s Function Range using ChatGPT

This is a 2-days intensive programme where participants will get to apply their knowledge with hands-on exercises, guided by the Trainer. Participants are required to bring along their laptops, equipped with Excel 2010 and above full installations.

Participants are expected to have good or intermediate Excel skills and understand key concepts of spreadsheets or equivalent. It is not necessary to have prior programming knowledge. VBA Macro programming concepts will be taught from the very basic level. You should be an experienced Excel user who wish to automate repetitive tasks or simplify more complex tasks using Excel Macros and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) programming language.

This workshop qualifies for 14.0 CPE hours in Information Technology (Category 5).

What you will learn

• Be able to record and run Macros Easily
• Be able to write VBA Code manually using Microsoft Excel
• Know how to perform Loops, Controls and Error Handling in Excel Macros
• Know how to create User forms and Sheet Controls in Excel
• Know how to use Events to trigger specific VBA code
• Be able to write useful applications that boost productivity and reduce time on routine activities

Laptop Requirements

Participants are required to bring along their internet-enabled laptops, equipped with Excel 2010 and above full installations.

If you are using your company laptop, please check that the VBA and Macro functions are not blocked by your IT Department.

Target Audience

Professionals and Business Managers who would like to acquire working knowledge of Excel Macros & VBA and enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the workplace

Expert Speaker

Dr Lim Thou Tin

Dr. Lim is a business graduate from the NUS. He holds double masters in information systems and knowledge management with further postgraduate qualifications in systems analysis, intelligent systems, marketing, management consulting and training. He has a doctorate of business administration with research interests in information systems and business modelling. He is also a certified business intelligence professional with specialisation in business analytics.

Dr Lim’s work experience includes working in large Singapore companies to MNCs in senior corporate, IT and project management positions. As a management consultant and practitioner, he has facilitated organizational initiatives / projects over a span of more than 15 years in the region, including Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, China, India, Indonesia and Thailand.

Dr Lim continues to be involved in senior management education at local tertiary institutions, teaching information and accounting topics at degree and postgraduate level with research and publishing interests in knowledge management and business intelligence.