You can run an Excel macro by clicking any Excel object you can imagine: text box, shape, picture, chart, etc. See below the main Excel objects you can use…

After storing your Excel macro for future use, you can attach your macro to any button inside any workbook.

Here’s the 3-step process to do it…

1) Create the button in your sheet

Go to the ribbon Insert>Illustrations>Shapes>then, add any of the available shapes. See the picture below…

You can also insert any other type of illustration like: Picture, Clip Art, SmartArt, etc. You can use any already-created button. Additionally, you can also use other Excel objects like charts, equations, etc.

Once the shape/object is in your sheet, you are ready to link an Excel VBA macro to it.

2) Assign a macro to your button/object

Right click over the existing shape or object and then choose “Assign Macro…” on the contextual menu. See the picture below…

Then, specify the source location of your macro in the “Macros in:” drop-down list of the “Assign Macro” dialog (“This Workbook”, “Personal Macro Workbook” or any specific workbook). See the picture below…

Important notice: if your macro is not stored centrally in the Personal Macro Workbook or as an Add-in, you need to open the macro source-workbook before you assign those macros to any button. Read “how to store Excel macros for future use“

Then, select the Excel macro you want to be attached to the button, and then click OK.

Your Excel macro is now attached to your button!

You can also create a new macro that will be automatically attached to the current button. Just click “New” or “Record…” in the “Assign Macro” dialog.

You are almost done, just a final step to make your Excel macro button more reusable…

3) Name your Excel macro button meaningfully

Don’t use names as “Click here” or “Macro 1”, use meaningful names that describe the macro purpose, for example: “Delete selected columns”, “Insert financial formula”, etc. This way you will use the button naturally and without hesitation.

To do it, proceed this way…

Right click over the shape (Text Box, Shape, Equation), then click “Edit text”, then enter your text.

In the case of pictures and charts you can add a Text Box to describe the assigned-macro, it could be something like “click the picture to format columns”, etc.

And be creative with the layout of the button, have fun. Select the shape and then go to Drawing Tools>Format>Shape Styles, there you can change the shade, color, borders, etc.

Here are some examples of Excel macro buttons…

Have button ideas to share? Let us know at the comments section below…