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Description

Advanced Excel VBA: Structuring, Securing and Industrialising Your Applications

Turn accumulated macros into structured Excel applications that are readable and maintainable

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

Automated Excel files often end up beyond their author's control: endless procedures, undeclared variables, routines that break as soon as a column moves. When the person who wrote the code leaves the department, nobody dares touch it and the workbook becomes an operational risk.

These two days approach VBA as a genuine development tool: project structuring, error handling, processing of large volumes, access to external data and user input forms. The work is carried out on workbooks brought by participants, reworked until the code is documented and ready to be handed over.

Learning objectives

  • Structure a VBA project into reusable modules and procedures
  • Implement error handling and an execution log
  • Optimise routines processing large volumes of data
  • Drive external files and databases from Excel
  • Design robust user forms for data entry
  • Document and secure a workbook intended to be taken over by others

What makes this programme different

A slow workbook brought by the group is optimised live, with the performance gain measured
Every piece of code written is revisited to add error handling and internal documentation
Participants leave with a library of reusable procedures

Programme

1Architecture of a VBA project

Moving beyond code written on the fly

  • Splitting the project into standard modules and class modules
  • Procedures and functions with argument passing
  • Variable scope and mandatory declaration
  • Naming conventions and code readability
  • Internal documentation of the project

2Reliability and error handling

Coping with the unexpected

  • Handling run-time errors and controlled recovery
  • Logging routines and messages intended for the user
  • Checking input data before processing
  • Debugging tools and step-by-step execution

3Performance and data volumes

Processing quickly without freezing Excel

  • Working in memory with arrays rather than cell by cell
  • Controlling recalculation and screen refresh
  • Optimised loops and lookups over long ranges
  • Measuring execution time before and after optimisation

4External data and interfaces

Connecting the workbook to its environment

  • Driving text files and multiple workbooks
  • Connecting to a database and running parameterised queries
  • Designing user forms and their associated controls
  • Protecting the code and distributing the workbook

Who is it for

Advanced Excel users, management controllers, analysts, reporting managers and IT staff responsible for office automation tools.

Prerequisites

Ability to write and modify VBA macros using variables, conditions and loops.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.