The Top 7 VBA Myths (and the Truth Behind Them)

Whenever the topic of VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) comes up, there’s always a heated reaction. Some say it’s outdated. Others think only IT departments can use it. Yet millions of professionals still rely on VBA every day — especially in finance, accounting, and operations.

So, what’s the truth? Let’s bust the top 7 VBA myths in 2025.

Myth #1: “VBA is dead.”

Truth: “VBA isn’t going anywhere”.
 

• Microsoft still ships it inside every Excel installation.
• Millions of businesses depend on VBA-driven workbooks.
• It continues to be actively supported in Office desktop versions.

 Yes, there are new tools (Power Automate, Office Scripts, Python), but VBA remains the fastest way to automate Excel locally.

Myth #2: “Only IT people can use VBA.”

Truth: “VBA was designed for end-users, not developers”.
 

• Analysts, accountants, and managers use it daily.
• Most automation tasks require just basic VBA skills — loops, conditions, formatting.
• Even a simple recorded macro cleaned up with a few tweaks can save hours.

Myth #3: “VBA is too hard to learn.”

Truth: “If you can use Excel formulas, you can learn VBA”.
 

• Concepts like loops and variables are easier than they sound.
• With copy-paste snippets, you can start automating immediately.
• Most learners see real results in just a few days of practice.

Want guided, hands-on learning? Our Excel VBA Course helps you learn by building real-world automation projects step by step.

Myth #4: “Python or Power Automate makes VBA irrelevant.”

Truth: “It’s not either/or — it’s both.”
 

• VBA is perfect for quick, desktop-based Excel automation.
• Power Automate shines in cross-app cloud workflows.
• Python is great for large-scale analytics.

The smartest professionals use the right tool for the job — and VBA often complements newer tools.

Myth #5: “Macros are dangerous, so VBA should be avoided.”

Truth: “Macros can be abused — but so can emails, PDFs, or any file.”
 

• With good security practices (trusted sources, digital signatures, antivirus), VBA is safe.
• Internal macros built in-house are no riskier than formulas.

Myth #6: “VBA is outdated and ugly.”

Truth: “The syntax may look old-school, but it’s powerful.”
 

• You can build custom functions, dynamic reports, and interactive forms.
• You can integrate with Outlook, Word, and even external files.
• For many users, VBA delivers exactly what’s needed without over-engineering.

Myth #7: “Learning VBA is a waste of time.”

Truth: “VBA is one of the highest ROI skills in Excel.”
 

• Automating even one repetitive monthly task can save dozens of hours a year.
• Many companies still list “Excel VBA” as a required skill in finance and operations roles.
• Learning VBA also builds a foundation for understanding other coding tools like Office Scripts, Python, and RPA.

Want to see how much time VBA can actually save? Check out these VBA hacks that save hours in Excel.

Final Thoughts

VBA isn’t dead, scary, or irrelevant. It’s simply a tool — and in the right hands, it’s still one of the fastest, most practical ways to automate Excel in 2025. Busting these myths helps us see VBA for what it is: a reliable workhorse that complements newer automation platforms.

Editor’s Note

At ExcelGoodies, our Excel VBA Macros Course teaches professionals how to move beyond the myths and unlock the real power of VBA. With hands-on examples, industry-focused projects, and best practices, we make automation simple, safe, and incredibly effective.

Because sometimes, the most underrated tools are the ones that save you the most time.
 

VBA & Python