Google Sheets lets you automate repetitive tasks with macros, and you can then bind them to keyboard shortcuts to execute them quickly. They work using Google Apps Script to capture your actions for later use.
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What are Macros?
A macro—or macroinstruction—is a specific sequence of actions that let you automate a series of steps to increase productivity. They work by recording your actions and saving them into a file that’s bound to the spreadsheet in which they were recorded.
When you record a macro in Google Sheets, it automatically creates an Apps Script with all the code to replicate your actions for you. This means you can create complex macros without knowing how to write code. The next time you run it, Sheets will do everything you did when you recorded the macro. Essentially, you’re teaching Google Sheets how to manipulate a document to your liking with a single command.
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Macros are a powerful feature that can do basically anything Sheets is capable of doing. Here are just a few examples of its functionality:
- Apply formatting and styles.
- Create completely new spreadsheets.
- Use any Google Sheets function, toolbar, menu, or feature.
The sky is the limit.
How to Record a Macro in Google Sheets
Fire up a Google Sheet and click Tools > Macros > Record Macro.
