Adding macros (back-ground programs) to your spreadsheets, or building macros into new spreadsheets, can increase overall efficiency, reduce errors in input and output, and simplify the setup of complex tasks. Along with Microsoft Excel, macros can be embedded in Outlook, Word and in other software packages as well.
Along with the ability to automate almost any combination of tasks needed to manipulate the content of your spreadsheets, imbedded macros can read from and write to files, perform complex calculations, and, in many cases, open, close, and control other applications.
Almost every spreadsheet I build for my own use has one or more embedded macros to control input and output and to perform both routine and complex tasks. Computers are fast, precise, and tireless. The more automation we build in the better.