There was a recent post by Paul Kelly promoting the idea of becoming a “serious” VBA expert. It raised a fundamental question that I think is worth exploring in depth: Why does anyone want to master VBA?
What Are You Really Trying to Master?
Before we even get into mastering VBA, let’s define what VBA actually is. Excel is a collection of objects—workbooks, worksheets, ranges, charts—each with properties and methods. These objects exist independently of VBA; they are engineered by Microsoft as part of Excel itself.
VBA simply provides a way to manipulate these objects programmatically. Microsoft has historically exposed the object model so that users can interact with it through programming. But fundamentally, VBA is just a tool—a means to an end. Understanding Excel’s object model is what really matters.
Think of it like Lego. The bricks already exist, designed by engineers with specific properties. We can’t change the Lego pieces themselves, but we can use them to build something creative. VBA is just the glue we use to arrange the pieces.
What Does It Mean to “Master” VBA?
If VBA is just a tool to interact with Excel’s object model, what does “mastering VBA” even mean? Does it mean:
- Knowing how to write loops and conditionals?
- Memorizing syntax?
- Understanding how to record macros?
None of these things matter in isolation. True mastery lies in understanding what needs to be built and how to leverage Excel’s capabilities efficiently—not in fixating on a programming language that happens to manipulate Excel objects.
Testing This With the Gordon Ramsay Experiment
Let’s put this to the test. The Gordon Ramsay Experiment challenges different types of Excel specialists—Power Query experts, VBA experts, Python experts, Copilot users—to solve a problem. The results show that so-called “VBA Masters” often take an inefficient, outdated approach. Their solutions tend to involve opening spreadsheets one by one, writing cumbersome scripts that Power Query or SQL could handle far more efficiently.
This isn’t about VBA versus Power Query or Python—it’s about recognizing that VBA is just one of many tools available. VBA alone does not provide a strategic advantage; real mastery comes from understanding when and why to use it (or when not to use it at all).
The Problem With VBA Training Courses
There’s an entire industry built around selling VBA mastery. But what are they really selling? Most introductory VBA training revolves around recording macros, which Excel already writes for us. Beyond that, to differentiate a VBA course, you have to introduce the object model. Yet, social media and online training rarely go deep enough to explain these foundational concepts.
This leads to a dangerous cycle where people believe that learning more VBA—more syntax, more tricks, more “hacks”—equates to progress. But in real-world business scenarios, mastering VBA alone does not lead to better outcomes. You need to understand how to solve problems, not just how to write code.
The Real Question: Does It Actually Improve Outcomes?
Let’s take real-world scenarios, like the WSB Annual Budgeting Challenge, where the stakes are high, and precision matters. In these mission-critical cases, the end result is what matters—not the tool used to get there. If someone claims Power Query is a game-changer, the real question is: Has it fundamentally changed or improved the process?
More often than not, it hasn’t. People get caught up in the “fantastic new thing”—whether it’s VBA, Power Query, or dynamic arrays—without critically assessing whether it actually improves efficiency or scalability. And often, the push for these “fantastic” features is driven by training course sales, not by practical business needs.
The Bottom Line: The Magic Isn’t in VBA
Ultimately, the magic isn’t in VBA, Power Query, or any other tool. It’s in the creative process of assembling components to build solutions that actually work. VBA is just a vehicle to manipulate Excel’s object model. Mastery isn’t about syntax or keystrokes; it’s about understanding the broader picture.
Just as an artist doesn’t need to study the molecular composition of paint to create a masterpiece, an Excel professional doesn’t need to “master VBA” to build scalable, effective solutions. The focus should always be on solving real problems—not on becoming a VBA guru for the sake of it.
Discussion for Excel Deep Dive: What does “mastering VBA” really mean, and is it even a useful goal?
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