Do you use Macros for your excel models?
I’m a PE Analyst transitioning into IB, and I’ve got a question about using macros in models. Does your group actually implement them? I have some free time before I start my next role so I thought about just taking a course but are they worth learning?
In my current role it was pretty modeling heavy but my Associate (who came from an EB) was super against them—like, 'you’ll get fired if you even think about using macros' kind of against them. I’m not even sure what value macros would really add. Our models were pretty complex and seemed to work just fine
Macros can be helpful depending on what they're needed for. They can be used to automatically make images from tables/charts to put into decks, auto-filter comps if you have a standardized data set, to get around circular references that would otherwise require manual pasting as values, etc.
I would see what processes could be automated in the models and deck creating process at your firm first, then learn the VBA skills to make macros for that specific task. Broadly learning VBA isn't entirely useful for finance in my experience.
I have been working on few complex models that are very heavy and there are few reasons why someone would not use macros, mainly:
1. It gobbles up a lot of computing power (in my experience) when there is macro. The excel is more susceptible to crashing
2. If you need to share your model to your client, most likely the client cannot run the model because external macros are automatically disabled for security reasons
But for infra / renewable models I know you must use the model for debt sculpting, so it depends on the team's preference / work.
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