A macro is a useful tool for the Advanced Excel user, one which can automate tasks you frequently perform with just a simple keystroke.  A Record Macro is one example, and as the name suggests, it records your keystrokes and plays them back with a simple keystroke command (which you determine).

1. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Record New Macro.
2. In the Macro name box, enter a name for the macro; for this example - caPrint
(The first character of the macro name must be a letter. Other characters can be letters, numbers, or underscore characters. Spaces are not allowed in a macro name; an underscore character works well as a word separator. Do not use a macro name that is also a cell reference or you can get an error message that the macro name is not valid.)

3. To run the macro with a a keystroke command, use CTRL + letter (must be a lowercase letter), in this example CTRL+j.

4. In the Store macro in box, click the location where you want to store the macro: This Workbook.
(If you want a macro to be available whenever you use Excel, select Personal Macro Workbook, otherwise.)

5. If you want to include a description of the macro, type it in the Description box.

6. Click OK.

7. Carry out the actions you want to record and when you are finished, click Tools/Macro/Stop Recording.

The next TechTIP will explain how to create and associate the Record Macro with a button, instead of using the CTRL+x keystroke command.