how to make my macro available in all excel workbooks

Here's a comprehensive article on 'How to Make Your Macro Available in All Excel Workbooks':

When you create a macro in Excel, it is only available within the current workbook where you created it. However, there are several ways to make your macros available across all Excel workbooks. In this article, we will explore two methods: saving your macro as an add-in and using the Personal Macro Workbook.

Method 1: Saving Your Macro as an Add-in

To save your macro as an add-in, follow these steps:

1. Open the Visual Basic Editor (VBE) by pressing `Alt+F11` or navigating to `Developer` tab > `Visual Basic`.

2. In the VBE, create a new module and record a macro. Save it with a recognizable name, such as 'MyFunctions'.

3. In the Excel Options dialog box, click on the `Add-ins` category.

4. Click `Go` next to `Manage` and select `Excel Add-ins`.

5. Check the box beside your add-in and click `OK`.

Once you have saved your macro as an add-in, it will be available in all workbooks that are currently open or will be opened in the future.

Method 2: Using the Personal Macro Workbook

The Personal Macro Workbook is a hidden workbook that opens every time you start Excel. You can use this workbook to store your macros and make them available across all Excel workbooks. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the VBE by pressing `Alt+F11` or navigating to `Developer` tab > `Visual Basic`.

2. In the VBE, create a new module and record a macro. Save it with a recognizable name, such as 'Testing'.

3. Close the VBE and open the File menu.

4. Click on `Save As` and select `Excel Add-in` from the drop-down list.

5. Name your add-in and save it in the `Add-ins` folder.

Once you have saved your macro in the Personal Macro Workbook, it will be available in all workbooks that are currently open or will be opened in the future.

Tips and Considerations

* When saving your macro as an add-in, make sure to hide the workbook named 'Personal.xls' (or 'personal.xlsb' for Excel 2007-2010) by navigating to `Window` > `Hide`.

* If you want to distribute your macros to other users, you need to save them as an add-in (.xla file) and provide the installation instructions.

* Add-ins do not show up in `Alt+F8` or `Tools` > `Macro`. Users will need to browse to the file and verify that the add-in is checked on the add-in list.

In conclusion, making your macros available across all Excel workbooks requires a bit of effort but can be achieved through either saving your macro as an add-in or using the Personal Macro Workbook. By following these steps and tips, you can ensure that your macros are always at your fingertips and available to use whenever you need them.

How to make my macro available in all excel workbooks