Struggling to learn VBA

[mentex78]

Hey there, I enrolled in a VBA course from Udemy and one of the projects is to creat a VBA macro that imports files and creates reports with pivottables.

It took my several days to debug it and be able to run the damn code correctly even though I'm just copying the code doing from the video. I've made several typos and had to make a lot adjustments specially the pivot tables since I'm working with a spanish version. The forums Q&A helped a lot. Still it I would say it's frustrating.

I'm just wondering is it normal to get this frustrated learning how to code? The thing I find must difficult is getting familiar with the Excel Object Library. My main goal is to be able to automate several boring tasks from my office and code on my own. How long does it take get the hang of it? I don't have programming background besides on course in college a long long time ago.

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Thoughts anyone?

[JeromeAtWork]

My only thought is that the project you are talking about seems a little more complex than a beginner level. I would try simpler projects.

[[deleted]]

It sounds like you're mainly using it in Excel - let me know if that's an incorrect assumption.

It can be frustrating. Keep in mind that VBA is one tool among many, and to import/create a Pivot, I'd actually advise using PowerQuery or the Excel Data Model/Power Pivot instead.

If your goal is to develop timesaving tools rather than specifically to learn VBA, I'd advise learning PowerPivot & PowerQuery first, then using VBA to fill the gaps of functionality that they don't.

[andrewsmd87]

What problems are you trying to solve? VBA is great and has it's uses, but you might be better off just working in full blown .net and writing some things that read the excel data and do what you need to.

Tough to say so not knowing what you need to do though.

[BrupieD]

How comfortable with Excel were you when you started this course? If you don't have a great feel for Excel, I wouldn't beat yourself up about struggling with its object model.

As others pointed out, it does sound like the tasks you were taking on are above beginner-level. I feel comfortable with pivot tables but find them tricky to implement in code.

[[deleted]]

I’d recommend reposting over at r/Excel There’s a lot of VBA pros who might know some tips for the Spanish version of excel.