( VBA): A macro programming language used by many applications for writing macros instead of recording them. 15.28

n. A macro-language version of Visual Basic that is used to program many Windows 95 applications and is included with several Microsoft applications. See also macro language, Visual Basic. Acronym: VBA.

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is an implementation of Microsoft's Visual Basic, an event driven programming language and associated development environment which is built into most Microsoft Office applications (including Apple Mac OS versions), some other Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Map Point and Microsoft Visio - a former independent application which was acquired by Microsoft; as well as being at least partially implemented in some other applications such as Auto CAD, Word Perfect and ESRI Arc GIS. It supersedes and expands on the capabilities of earlier application-specific macro programming languages such as Word's WordBasic, and can be used to control almost all aspects of the host application, including manipulating user interface features such as menus and toolbars and working with custom user forms or dialog boxes. VBA can also be used to create import and export filters for various file formats, such as ODF.