Create a Macro in MS Excel for a Schedule

1A. In CAD, run the type of schedule you want to format with your macro – for example, a Plant Schedule.

When creating the schedule, select the formatting options you're likely to want in this type of schedule the majority of the time – for example, which columns you generally like to include in this type of schedule, plant code format, etc.

Select the option to send the schedule to a spreadsheet.

1B. Open the schedule file in MS Excel.

In this example, we'll use the schedule pictured to the left as a basis to create and record a macro.

1C. Select the DEVELOPER tab.

Then click the Record Macro button.

1D. In the Record Macro dialog box, enter a name for your macro and, if you want, a description. Then click OK.

1E. Create your macro by formatting your schedule exactly how you want it.

For example, you may want to use the Conditional Formatting tool to apply formulas to specific columns. You can apply a specific font and point size to text, highlight certain columns in a specific color, and carry out any number of other formatting changes.

In our example, we've formatted the column titles and used the Conditional Formatting tool to add a Perc. (percentage) column that calculates the percentage of the total plant count occupied by each variety, as well as Unit Value and Total Units columns that also run calculations.

1F. When finished creating your macro, stop the recording by clicking the Stop button in the bottom left corner of your Excel interface.

2B. With your schedule open in Excel, select the DEVELOPER tab, then click the Macros button.

The macro will run on the schedule.

In our example, the macro has applied the stylistic and conditional formatting from the macro to a Plant Schedule we've exported from CAD.