128 PCWorld MARCH 2020HERE’S HOW HOW TO CREATE EXCEL MACROS
T+ M+ R.- Save the Master file, then save the
BostonDB file. - Go back to the MasterDB spreadsheet
and run the macro: Press Ctrl+ M.
NOTE: Remember that the plus sign
means a “simultaneous” combination
keystroke; that is, Ctrl+ Shift+ J means: Press
and hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys with
your left hand, then press the J key with your
right hand, then release all three keys
simultaneously. The dash (or hyphen) means
a “consecutive” combination keystroke, such
as End- Down, which means press the End
key and release, then press the Down arrow
and release. These are NOT
interchangeable, so watch the signs. - If the macro
works as expected,
repeat this process
again for each of
the remaining 11
spreadsheets, then
run the macros,
save the files, and
exit all
spreadsheets
except the Master.
NOTE: The
only available
shortcut keys are
Ctrl+ M (which
you have already
used), Ctrl+
Shift+ M, Ctrl+ J, and Ctrl+ Shift+ J.
Because shortcut keys are in short supply
and the character combinations don’t make
any logical sense anyway, the best solution
for your mini macros are macro buttons on
the Ribbon menu with names that make
sense, such as Boston for the Boston
macro and Dallas for the Dallas macro.
Check out this other Excel macros how-to
(go.pcworld.com/xmcr), where there’s a
section with detailed instructions on
how to create, name, and use macros
(go.pcworld.com/cmcr).Macro2: Organize and sort data
This one is easy, but with so many
spreadsheets, it can be a daunting task if youMacro sorts the spreadsheet by Model Number.