7 VBA Books Perfect for Complete Beginners
Microsoft MVP Jordan Goldmeier and other experts recommend these beginner VBA books for accessible, practical learning
Every expert in VBA started exactly where you are now: at the beginning, curious but cautious about the complexity ahead. The beautiful thing about VBA is that anyone can begin automating tasks in Microsoft Office with the right guidance and practical tools. These books unlock VBA’s potential by emphasizing accessible learning paths and real-world applications, so you’re not overwhelmed by jargon or steep learning curves.
Jordan Goldmeier, a Microsoft MVP celebrated for his Excel VBA expertise, recommends several of these titles for newcomers. His endorsement stems from firsthand experience helping professionals move from zero knowledge to productive automation swiftly. Goldmeier’s perspective highlights how approachable and immediately useful these books are, making them trusted companions in your VBA journey.
While these beginner-friendly books provide excellent foundations, readers seeking content tailored to their specific learning pace and goals might consider creating a personalized VBA book that meets them exactly where they are. Personalized guides can bridge gaps and accelerate progress by focusing on your unique needs.
Recommended by Jordan Goldmeier
Microsoft MVP
“This book was really well written with macros you could begin using immediately. If you're just getting start with building macros in VBA, this book will help you create productive macros in no time.”
by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?
by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?
What started as a mission by John Michaloudis to help busy professionals unlock Excel’s potential became this approachable collection of ready-to-use macros. The book offers 101 VBA macros you can copy directly into your workbooks, covering everything from chart automation to pivot table manipulation and emailing reports. You’ll find clear screenshots and practice workbooks that demystify macro creation without overwhelming you. This is ideal if you want to save time on repetitive Excel tasks but aren’t ready to write complex code from scratch.
by Nathan Metzler·You?
Drawing from the need to simplify programming for newcomers, this book transforms VBA from a niche skill into an accessible tool for everyday automation. It walks you through fundamental concepts like data types, loops, and arrays, progressing to real-world examples that demystify VBA’s role within Microsoft Office. You’ll learn not just syntax but how to manipulate sheets programmatically and even an introduction to GUI programming, making it a solid foundation for anyone eager to automate repetitive tasks. If you want a straightforward introduction without jargon, this book offers a clear path, especially if you’re starting fresh with programming.
by TailoredRead AI·
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored VBA Starter Blueprint explores a personalized journey from novice to competent VBA programmer, focusing on your unique learning pace and goals. It covers foundational concepts in Microsoft Office automation, gradually building confidence through targeted exercises and real-world examples that match your background. The book carefully removes overwhelm by introducing essential VBA topics in a clear, approachable manner, allowing you to develop skills comfortably and effectively. By tailoring content to your specific interests and objectives, this book ensures you gain practical coding abilities while steadily advancing toward mastery in VBA programming.
by William B. Skates·You?
Unlike most VBA books that dive into complex coding right away, William B. Skates breaks down Excel VBA with a patience that's rare in technical manuals. He starts with the essentials like variables and macros, walking you through string functions, loops, arrays, and then functions, each paired with clear examples that make the concepts stick. This book is designed for those who find typical programming jargon overwhelming and want a straightforward, approachable path into VBA. If you're new to coding or just need a handy refresher on VBA basics, this guide serves that purpose well without overwhelming you with unnecessary complexity.
by Richard Mansfield··You?
by Richard Mansfield··You?
Unlike many programming guides that assume prior coding experience, Richard Mansfield's approach dismantles barriers for newcomers to VBA, making complex concepts accessible. You’ll learn how to automate tasks across the entire Microsoft Office 2010 suite, from recording macros to mastering loops, functions, and dialog boxes, with practical examples in Word, Excel, and Outlook. His clear explanations demystify VBA’s syntax and empower you to customize Office applications to your needs. Whether you're an IT professional or a novice developer, this book equips you with the tools to enhance productivity through automation, with chapters progressively building your skills without overwhelming jargon.
by Richard Mansfield··You?
by Richard Mansfield··You?
Drawing from decades of programming expertise, Richard Mansfield crafted this guide to make VBA approachable, even if you've never coded before. You learn to automate tasks across Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint through clear tutorials that start with macro recording and advance to loops, functions, and custom dialogs. Mansfield’s real-world examples make complex concepts tangible, such as creating add-ins and embedding macros, helping you boost productivity without being overwhelmed. This book suits those eager to gain practical VBA skills for everyday Office automation, offering a steady progression that balances beginner clarity with deeper capabilities.
by TailoredRead AI·
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored VBA guide is designed specifically to match your unique learning style and comfort level, focusing on core VBA basics with a progressive, personalized approach. It explores fundamental concepts through clear explanations and exercises that build confidence without overwhelming you, allowing you to master essential tools at a pace that suits you. The book covers foundational topics like variables, loops, and procedures, while gradually introducing practical automation techniques tailored to your background and goals. By emphasizing your individual comfort and progress, this personalized resource transforms complex VBA topics into an accessible learning journey that encourages steady growth and skill development.
by Mailhilfe.de GmbH··You?
Mailhilfe.de GmbH leverages over two decades of expertise running Germany's largest email portal to demystify Outlook VBA programming for newcomers. This book guides you through automating everyday Outlook tasks like sorting emails, creating notifications, and generating auto-replies with clear explanations and ready-to-use code examples, no prior coding experience needed. You’ll gain practical skills, from basic macro creation to importing data and designing complex forms, all tailored specifically to enhance your Outlook workflow. If you want to save time and reduce repetitive tasks within Outlook, this approachable manual offers a focused path that balances beginner accessibility with enough depth to keep you progressing.
by Mike Smart··You?
by Mike Smart··You?
The methods Mike Smart developed while transitioning from global IT consulting to specialized training cleverly simplify Microsoft Access VBA for newcomers. You’ll learn how to build a professional-grade Access application from scratch, covering essential skills like object-oriented programming, custom error handling, and user interface design. Smart’s approach walks you through creating practical features such as popup browse forms and Word document exports, emphasizing coding best practices rather than isolated snippets. This book suits developers comfortable with Access basics seeking a clear, jargon-free guide to mastering VBA programming in real-world contexts.
Perfect Start: Your Personal VBA Foundation ✨
Build confidence with personalized guidance without overwhelming complexity.
Many successful professionals started with these same foundations
Conclusion
The collection of VBA books here shares a common thread: accessibility paired with practical skill-building. Whether you’re automating Excel macros, customizing Outlook workflows, or mastering Office-wide VBA, these guides are designed to ease you in without overwhelming technical detail.
If you’re completely new to VBA, starting with "VBA for Beginners" or "Excel VBA" offers gentle introductions that build confidence. From there, progressing to "101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros" or Richard Mansfield’s "Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 2016" broadens your capabilities for real-world tasks.
Alternatively, you can create a personalized VBA book that fits your exact needs, interests, and goals to create your own personalized learning journey. Building a strong foundation early sets you up for success in automating tasks and enhancing productivity across Microsoft Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with "VBA for Beginners" for a straightforward introduction or "Excel VBA" if you prefer step-by-step Excel-focused guidance. Both books ease you into VBA without jargon, so you won't feel overwhelmed.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to VBA?
No, these books are carefully chosen for their beginner-friendly approach. For example, Jordan Goldmeier praises "101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros" for being immediately useful even if you're just starting out.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with foundational titles like "VBA for Beginners" or "Excel VBA," then move to practical collections such as "101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros" before exploring broader Office automation with Mansfield's books.
Should I start with the newest book or a classic?
Focus on clarity and relevance rather than just newness. Richard Mansfield’s "Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 2016" offers updated content that balances beginner clarity with practical depth.
Do I really need any background knowledge before starting?
No prior coding experience is required. These books start from the basics, introducing concepts like loops and variables gradually, making them accessible even if you’ve never programmed before.
Can I get content tailored to my specific VBA goals?
Yes! While expert books provide solid foundations, personalized VBA books can match your learning pace and interests perfectly. Consider creating a personalized VBA book to complement expert insights with targeted learning.
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