【MACROS in WORD】What are they? + Benefits ▷ 2022

Today, Microsoft Word It is listed as the leading word processor in the world. Since it is a very complete tool for create, edit, personalize and manage any digital document.

That is why many students and professionals rely on this program to create digital texts of any kind. So that, constantly, they must execute a series of tasks that are repeated in all their writings and for this, they have created Word macros.

Thus, in order to automate your most common tasks in Word, you can make use of this functionality. Therefore, it is effective to know what are macros for, what are their advantages and typeslike the process to follow to enable and execute them.

What is a Macro in Microsoft Word and what is this tool for?

Basically a macro is a series of commands, patterns, and instructions that are grouped together as a single callsign that has the ability to complete a task automatically. That is to say, said series of instructions specify a certain input sequence to launch several actions simultaneously, once they are sent to the program.

Thus, it is a functionality that used to automate a sequence of repetitive mouse movements or a set of keystrokes, with which it is possible to mechanize several tasks that will be executed one after the other in order. With this, users they will get much more productivity when editing or managing your documents in Microsoft Word.

What are the benefits of using Macros in Microsoft Word?

Since Word macros have the ability to automate a set of actions based on a series of commands or instructions, they are of course considered very helpful elements in the program, thanks to the great utility they offer.

Reason for which, they guarantee several advantages that it is important to take into account and, Next, we mention each one of them:

Allow save time around all those frequently run tasks in Word. Since, they do not require a set of keystrokes or a sequence of routine mouse movements.
macros are instructions very easy to execute and intuitive to usebecause they only require a key combination (keyboard shortcut) or the use of a single button.
Also increase the utility of the program, in view of the fact that macros offer the possibility of developing new functions, which can be created according to what they need. In addition to that, they allow you to customize the quick access bar.
In most cases, this functionality manages to reduce the rate of errors in digital documents because macros have the particularity of always working perfectly, as long as their creation process has been correct. On the other hand, if you carry out the tasks manually, the probability of making mistakes will increase.

Types of macros in Word What are all that can be recorded and executed?

While it is true, there are several types of macros that you can record and run in Microsoft Word. But what are those typologies? Next, we name and detail the main classes of macros that are distinguished in this word processor:

application macro: Are those scripts that have a follow-up chronologically and they are used to save tasks, basically. Therefore, they only allow one set of instructions to be executed and, in general, are stored in a special location in the software.
macro in programming: These are the macros that allow define an abbreviation to represent a portion of a program and with this, the programmer can avoid repeating identical parts of software constantly. Since, it has the use of said abbreviation as many times as required.

Learn how to enable and run macros in your Microsoft Word quickly and easily

If you want to use this effective functionality in Word, in order to automate certain tasks that you must carry out repetitively or routinelyit is essential to know each of the steps to follow in order to create or enable a macro in that program, as well as to run it.

Thus, here we detail each procedure:

Enable

In general, the macros that are created in Word are assigned to a button or to a combination of keys to execute, automatically, the established series of instructions. To start, we teach you how to record a macro with a single buttontaking into account that, instead of the mouse, you have to use the keyboard to select a text while the macro is being created:

Initially, proceed to search and access any Word documentto locate you in the ribbon of the program and click on the “View” tab.
After that, locate yourself in the Macros group and press the down arrow of that option, for later click where it says “Record macro…”.
Now, you have to enter the name you want for that macroin the indicated bar.
In the section of “Save macro in:”be sure to select the option “All Documents (Normal.dotm)” to be able to use that sequence in other subsequent files.
In the part of “Assign macro to:”Choose “Button”.

Next, in the Quick Access Toolbar, Click on the new macro and press Add. After, Click on “Modify…” and there you have to choose an image for the button adding the name you want. done that, tap OK twice.

Now, click on the commands or press the keys for each step of the task, during the process of recording the steps.
When you finish the above, go back to access the “View” tab, select “Macros” and click on “Stop recording”.

Finally, the button of the new macro will be displayed in the Quick Access Toolbar of the program.

Secondly, To record a Word macro with a keyboard shortcut, the process to follow is as follows:

Located in the Word document, click on the “View” tab and select the “Macros” option to click on “Record macro…”.
After the above, enter the name you prefer for that macro, choose “All documents (Normal.dotm)” in the part of “Save macro in:” and in this case, in “Assign macro to:”, click on “Keyboard”.

Later, in the Commands box, choose the macro in question and under “New Shortcut Key”, type a keyboard shortcut or key combination. As usual, use “Ctrl + key” and it is important that you check that this shortcut is not assigned to another default function in the program.
Also, choose the option “Normal.dotm” in the box “Save changes to:” and done all of the above, click the “Assign” button.

Now, it is time to record the steps and for that, click commands or press keys for each action step.
Finally, click “Stop recording”within the menu “Macros” belonging to the tab “View”.

Run

Basically, to run a macro in Word, you have to use the button located on the quick access toolbar, use the key combination assigned for a certain action, or access the list of program macros.

.Next, We explain each of the steps to follow to carry out this last mentioned execution:

Go to the indicated Word document and proceed to select the “View” tab, now click on “Macros”.
Now, among the available options, Click on “View macros”which is the one located in first position.
After that, they will show you a list with all the macros you have created and these, of course, will be identified with the name that you assigned to it during its recording.
Finally, find the macro you want to use, click on it and press the “Run” button. Immediately, all the instructions established at the beginning will be carried out.

Macro Security How safe is it to use them on documents of unknown origin?

Although this added functionality in Office is very useful and reveals significant benefits for users, unfortunately, it can be considered a powerful threat. Since, some macros in Word contain viruses, so it is considered an ideal tool for execute and propagate in your documents.

Thus, many years ago, the distribution of dangerous computer viruses through macros in documents of unknown origin, was noticeably accentuated and managed to extend over a whole period. In particular, since it is about the unique cross-platform threats between Windows and Macintosh computers.

But, from the year 2006, Microsoft designed some security patches for Word and thus, managed to eliminate the risks caused by these macros. Consequently, currently the risk of infecting a computer or a file with macro viruses has been almost completely reduced and they are becoming less common, since the same program manages to regulate whether a macro of uncertain origin can be executed or not; but, equally, we recommend you pay attention to it.