7 Office Automation Books That Will Transform Your Workflow

Microsoft MVP Jordan Goldmeier and other thought leaders recommend these Office Automation Books to help you master productivity and automation.

Updated on June 29, 2025
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What if you could save hours every week by automating repetitive office tasks? Office Automation isn't just a buzzword—it's a practical shift reshaping how businesses operate, letting you focus on what truly matters. As automation technology advances, mastering these tools is becoming less optional and more essential for staying competitive.

Microsoft MVP Jordan Goldmeier, renowned for his expertise in Excel and Office automation, has long championed efficient workflows. His endorsement of books like "101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros" highlights the real-world impact of well-crafted automation techniques. Jordan’s deep experience in teaching professionals to harness automation tools adds weight to these recommendations.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific background, skill level, and goals might consider creating a personalized Office Automation book that builds on these insights. Tailored reading can accelerate your mastery by focusing on what you need most.

Best for beginner-to-intermediate Excel users
Jordan Goldmeier, a Microsoft MVP known for his deep expertise in Excel automation, discovered this book as a resource to quickly build practical VBA macros. He notes, "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." His endorsement highlights how this collection helped him develop efficient macros quickly, making it a valuable tool for anyone looking to enhance their Excel automation skills.

Recommended by Jordan Goldmeier

Microsoft MVP and Excel automation expert

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. (from Amazon)

101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros (101 Excel Series) book cover

by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?

2022·361 pages·Office Automation, VBA, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Excel Macros

John Michaloudis, a Microsoft MVP and founder of MyExcelOnline.com, co-authored this book to help Excel users save hours by automating repetitive tasks. Inside, you’ll find 101 VBA macros ready to copy-paste into your spreadsheets, covering everything from chart creation and pivot tables to emailing and PDF generation, with clear step-by-step instructions and screenshots. The book particularly benefits beginner to intermediate Excel users aiming to boost productivity and stand out by mastering macros quickly. For example, chapter sections on workbook printing automation and advanced macros offer practical tools you'll actually use to simplify complex workflows.

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Best for broad Excel productivity boosters
Jordan Goldmeier, a Microsoft MVP and recognized Excel expert, endorses this book as a thorough resource for all levels of Excel users. He discovered it while seeking ways to deepen his ability to teach efficient data handling and was impressed by how accessible the advanced tips are. "This book covers EVERYTHING in Excel. It really has tips across the spectrum - and even the 'advanced' tips are explained so that anyone can grasp them. You can use these tips immediately. Excel is all about efficiency - and this book will provide you awesome tips to save time." His experience highlights why this guide is worth considering if you want to elevate your Excel proficiency and productivity.

Recommended by Jordan Goldmeier

Microsoft MVP and Excel authority

This book covers EVERYTHING in Excel. It really has tips across the spectrum - and even the 'advanced' tips are explained so that anyone can grasp them. You can use these tips immediately. Excel is all about efficiency - and this book will provide you awesome tips to save time. (from Amazon)

101 Best Excel Tips & Tricks (101 Excel Series) book cover

by John Michaloudis, Bryan Hong··You?

2022·538 pages·Microsoft Excel, Office Automation, Microsoft Office, Formulas, Pivot Tables

John Michaloudis, a Microsoft MVP and founder of MyExcelOnline.com, brings his extensive experience teaching over 100,000 professionals to this focused guide on Excel mastery. You’ll uncover practical techniques that sharpen your data analysis, from formulas and pivot tables to macros and formatting, all designed to save time and improve efficiency. The book breaks down complex features like VBA macros and Office 365 updates into digestible steps, making advanced Excel skills accessible without overwhelming you. If you're aiming to boost your workplace productivity or deepen your spreadsheet know-how, this book offers clear examples and downloadable practice workbooks to help you apply what you learn immediately.

Microsoft MVP Award 2020
Author of multiple #1 Amazon bestsellers
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Best for personal automation plans
This AI-created book on office automation is crafted based on your experience and goals with automation tools. By sharing what you want to focus on and your current skill level, you receive content that matches your unique needs. This personalized approach helps you navigate complex automation workflows efficiently, ensuring you learn exactly what matters for your work. It’s like having expert guidance shaped just for you, making mastering office automation both practical and rewarding.
2025·50-300 pages·Office Automation, Workflow Design, Task Automation, Tool Integration, Process Optimization

This personalized book explores the world of office automation with a tailored focus on your unique background and goals. It examines essential tools and workflows that streamline daily tasks, revealing how automation can transform your productivity. By concentrating on your specific interests, this book guides you through selecting and mastering software solutions that fit your work style. It covers core concepts such as task automation, workflow design, and integration of office tools, providing a clear path to faster, more efficient processes. The tailored content ensures you engage deeply with relevant topics, empowering you to adopt automation practices that yield real results in your professional environment.

Tailored Content
Workflow Optimization
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for IT managers exploring RPA impact
Tom Taulli has been developing software since the 1980s, founding companies and writing for major outlets like BusinessWeek and Bloomberg. His deep experience in AI and software development drives this book, which offers you an authoritative look at robotic process automation, showing how it can transform office workflows and serve as a stepping stone to artificial intelligence integration.
2020·366 pages·Office Automation, Software Automation, Robotics, Process Automation, Digital Transformation

Tom Taulli has been developing software since the 1980s, and his extensive experience in tech entrepreneurship and AI advisory roles informs this detailed guide on robotic process automation (RPA). You’ll learn how to craft effective RPA strategies, navigate employee resistance, and evaluate leading RPA systems through practical case studies that highlight substantial ROI and compliance benefits. The book dives into automating repetitive, rules-based office tasks, providing clear insights into integrating RPA with legacy IT and its role as a gateway to AI adoption. If you manage IT in a mid-to-large company and seek a grounded understanding of RPA’s business impact, this book will serve you well.

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Best for Microsoft 365 workflow builders
Aaron Guilmette, a Senior Program Manager for Customer Experience, brings over two decades of expertise in Microsoft 365 technologies, including SharePoint Online and Teams, to this comprehensive guide. His deep involvement in technical consulting and instructional design informs a practical approach to mastering Power Automate, making this book an invaluable asset for anyone eager to streamline workflows and embrace digital transformation within the Microsoft ecosystem.
2022·424 pages·Office Automation, Workflow Automation, Business Process, Power Automate, Robotic Process Automation

After years guiding enterprises through Microsoft 365 adoption, Aaron Guilmette presents a detailed dive into Power Automate's capabilities, blending his deep technical experience with practical workflow needs. You’ll learn how to build automation flows that handle emails, approvals, database interactions, and integrate with both Microsoft and third-party apps like Dropbox and Twitter. The book progresses from beginner-friendly tutorials to advanced topics such as robotic process automation and AI-driven sentiment analysis, providing clear examples like creating complex approval workflows and managing user inputs. If you are comfortable with Microsoft 365 basics and want to reduce repetitive tasks through automation, this book offers a solid roadmap without unnecessary jargon or overselling.

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Best for VBA programming deep dives
Richard Mansfield is the author or coauthor of more than 40 computer books and former editor of Compute! magazine. His extensive experience and global readership underscore his authority in programming, which shines through in this detailed guide to VBA for Office 2010. Mansfield’s clear explanations and practical examples make this book a valuable resource for anyone aiming to enhance Office automation capabilities.
Mastering VBA for Office 2010 book cover

by Richard Mansfield··You?

984 pages·Office Automation, VBA, Macros, Excel, Word

What happens when decades of programming expertise meet Office automation? Richard Mansfield, a prolific author with over 40 computer books and former editor of Compute! magazine, distills his deep knowledge into this guide for mastering VBA in Office 2010. You’ll explore practical skills like recording macros, manipulating loops and functions, and customizing dialogs across Word, Excel, and Access, all supported by real-world examples. Whether you’re an IT professional or new to coding, this book arms you with the tools to tailor Office applications precisely to your business needs. It’s a solid choice if you want hands-on, detailed instruction rather than broad overviews.

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Best for fast automation plans
This personalized AI book about office automation is created after you share your experience level, specific interests, and goals around automating office tasks. The AI crafts a step-by-step plan designed to fit your current skills and accelerate your learning efficiently. Focusing on your unique needs, this custom book helps you cut through the noise and gain practical automation know-how quickly, making it easier to transform your workflow in just 30 days.
2025·50-300 pages·Office Automation, Task Automation, Workflow Design, Tool Selection, Script Development

This tailored book explores a clear, step-by-step approach to accelerating your office automation skills within 30 days. It covers essential tools and techniques to help you quickly automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and enhance productivity. By matching your background and goals, it focuses on practical actions that bridge expert knowledge with your specific needs. You’ll discover how to break down complex automation concepts into manageable daily steps, making the learning process straightforward and efficient. The book examines various automation tools and methods relevant to your office environment, providing a personalized pathway that fits your current skill level. This tailored guide ensures you stay engaged, motivated, and equipped to implement automation solutions that truly make a difference in your daily work.

Tailored Guide
Automation Acceleration
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for automating Office 365 admin tasks
Martin Machado, an MCSD with over 15 years of system design experience and a Senior Consultant at Microsoft specializing in Azure and Office 365, brings his deep expertise to this book. His background as an Oracle developer turned Microsoft systems integrator grounds his practical approach to PowerShell automation. This book reflects his commitment to helping administrators unlock powerful scripting capabilities to manage Office 365 environments more effectively.
2017·222 pages·Office Automation, PowerShell, User Management, Licensing, Exchange Online

After years of hands-on experience with Microsoft technologies, Martin Machado crafted this guide to open up PowerShell's potential for Office 365 administrators. You'll learn to move beyond the admin center's surface controls, mastering automation for tasks like user account handling, licensing, Exchange Online, and SharePoint management. The book includes practical scripts and examples, such as automating bulk user imports and generating insightful reports, making it ideal if you're looking to save time and reduce manual errors. While it's geared toward sysadmins new to PowerShell, even those with some scripting background will find it a solid resource for streamlining Office 365 operations.

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Best for RPA practitioners using Automation Anywhere
Husan Mahey, Chief Technology Officer at SkySoft UK Ltd, brings nearly 30 years of software development expertise to his exploration of Automation Anywhere. Recognized as the first to achieve all official Automation Anywhere certifications in just three months, Mahey draws on experience with global consultancies and diverse industries. His book distills this knowledge into a practical resource guiding you through building robust robotic process automation solutions tailored for enterprise needs.
2020·554 pages·Office Automation, Software Automation, Robotic Process Automation, Automation Anywhere, Bot Development

Drawing from nearly three decades in software development, Husan Mahey delivers a detailed guide on using Automation Anywhere A2019 to build scalable robotic process automation (RPA) solutions. You’ll learn how to install and configure the platform, create bots that handle tasks across Excel, Word, emails, and PDFs, and implement error handling to make these bots robust and reusable. Chapters include walkthroughs on integrating scripts like VBScript and Python, which deepen your automation capabilities beyond simple tasks. This book suits automation engineers and consultants ready to expand their RPA skill set, especially those familiar with programming and seeking practical techniques to deploy intelligent automation in enterprises.

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Conclusion

Across these seven books, two clear themes emerge: practical hands-on techniques and strategic automation planning. If you're just starting out or want to automate Excel workflows, books like "101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros" and "101 Best Excel Tips & Tricks" provide immediate actionable skills. For those managing broader IT environments or exploring robotic automation, "The Robotic Process Automation Handbook" and "Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere" offer essential insights.

For rapid implementation within Microsoft ecosystems, pairing "Workflow Automation with Microsoft Power Automate" and "PowerShell for Office 365" will streamline tasks and administrative controls. Meanwhile, "Mastering VBA for Office 2010" serves those ready to dive deep into coding custom solutions.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Office Automation book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and elevate your office productivity to new heights.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "101 Ready To Use Microsoft Excel Macros" if you're new to automation. It's practical and beginner-friendly, helping you build useful macros quickly to boost productivity.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Office Automation?

Not at all. Many, like "101 Best Excel Tips & Tricks," explain concepts clearly for beginners while still offering advanced tips as you grow.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with Excel-focused books to build foundational skills, then move on to workflow automation and RPA guides to expand your automation capabilities.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can choose based on your goals. For Excel automation, pick the Excel macro books. For broader office automation, RPA or Power Automate books are ideal.

Are any of these books outdated given how fast Office Automation changes?

These selections balance foundational knowledge and current tools. For instance, "Workflow Automation with Microsoft Power Automate" covers recent Microsoft 365 capabilities.

Can personalized books complement these expert recommendations?

Yes! While these expert books offer strong frameworks, personalized books tailor strategies to your experience, goals, and preferred tools. Check out creating a personalized Office Automation book for customized learning.

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