VBA vs. Python - Which is better?

[@chandoo_]

👉 *Check out **squarespace.com/chandoo* to save 10% off your first purchase. ⏱ *Timestamps* for the video: 0:00 - Introduction & 6 parameters 0:45 - Ease of learning (parameter 1) 1:27 - Immediate application (2) 2:55 - How many places can we use the language? (3) 3:49 - Forgiveness of a language (4) 4:41 - Availability (5) 5:30 - Automation ability (6) 6:58 - So which one to learn? 8:55 - Advice for people who are NOT yet a data analyst 10:06 - Advice for people who are already a data analyst 10:40 - What about other programming languages? 12:09 - Where to learn either Python or VBA?

[@jagatkrishna1543]

Beautiful ❤️

[@wayneedmondson1065]

Thanks Chandoo. Good advice all around. I spend most of my day inside EXCEL, so VBA is a natural fit for me. But, would like to learn Python for fun and to expand horizons and knowledge. Thanks for your insights.. always appreciated :)) Thumbs up!!

[@roshanreddy7041]

Hi let me know the resources you referred to and master VBA

[@calistussolomon5739]

Thanks a lot for clearing the confusion between these two languages. I would go for VBA. You're the best and your explanation is very learner-friendly. God Bless you :)

[@suntosh7]

I have watched all your videos and in my opinion your doing a great stuff by educating us on BI, VBA and excel learning's.. I am very grateful to you because I have learnt many things from your youtube videos... Thanks for making us educating on these programming..

[@chandoo_]

I appreciate that!

[@suntosh7]

@@chandoo_ Thank you sir...!!

[@kuuuyajim]

I agree with your point of view regarding someone who's starting to become a data analyst and someone who's already doing the job. In my work, I tried learning Python but wasn't really able to retain the knowledge because I was learning for the sake of learning and wasn't really applicable to my job. Whereas with VBA or at least basic macro, I was able to accomplish a lot of improvements because we are already using MS Office.

[@chandoo_]

Well said! The best thing is, once you know something, you know it. So you will have free time to learn other things. After you have the necessary VBA skills, you can go and learn Python / M / DAX or something else altogether. All the best. 👍

[@pixelmasque]

if you are brand new to programming, learning python via simple 2D games is fun and object oriented. Learning a simple language and basics like functions, variables, classes (objects), and oop allows you to pick up a new language fairly easily, just learning syntax and a few workflow differences.

[@pythoninoffice6568]

Great video! I first learned VBA but realize it was very limited to the MS Office, and I wanted to do more than that. Then I learned Python and actually never looked back. I tried to use Python whenever I need to automate Excel or data related things. That said, I totally agree that programming languages are just tools, and we as users have to decide what's the right tool to use for a given case.

[@Adi_Azure]

Great @python in office

[@Adi_Azure]

Great

[@drdeepee2503]

I would've probably done the same. Except where I work (highly regulated industry), Python is next to impossible to get installed on your machine. VBA is right there.

[@pythoninoffice6568]

@@drdeepee2503 I understand some companies don't want to take the risk, but I think they need to understand what risk is involved before making the decision to ban it. I work in insurance, which is also a highly regulated industry, and we are allowed to use open-source tools like Python or R.

[@apurbachatterjee3310]

One of the most potent contents on this topic and how well executed! Thank you !!!

[@chandoo_]

Glad you liked it! I had so much fun shooting and editing the video too.

[@apurbachatterjee3310]

@@chandoo_ thank you for your hard work to help make us smart 🤓

[@TripleB-vw1ob]

Great video as always! I love the point about formulas being coding. I always try to do something in excel first with formulas before I turn to VBA because VBA raises the complexity for most users.

[@chandoo_]

Thanks :) I had to mention those, after all Excel is the original no (low) code programming langauge.

[@tanyaa9510]

Hi Chandoo, I am completely from non tech background willing to learn to code in finance analysis field. Your videos gives a real clarity and are of great value.

[@chandoo_]

Thank you Tanya. More power to you.

[@VernHowChan]

thank you, this was a humble sharing in terms of both VBA and Python. I like the statement to be open minded and learn whatever comes along and then use it as needed or as chosen.

[@chandoo_]

You are welcome Vern.

[@snpatel3850]

I was actually really confuse and want to start with VBA and your video pops up, i cant thank enough for this video ,, really really thank you so much

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Patel. Many of my students & viewers asked me this question, so I made a video.

[@simpy17325]

I'm switching over to Python from learning R. Seems to be a little more useful. Once I was able to download a PDF, scrape it, and then insert that data into the database I realized how powerful these tools really are.

[@chandoo_]

I previously dabbled with R too (you can see my R for Data Science book in the video). I agree that Python makes some of the routine tasks amazingly fast and automated. All the best.

[@belkacemseffari7404]

Indians being solving modern problems like heroes . a big thanks to every Indians programmer and teachers In youtube, XDA, every platform. you guys are amazing and for sure one of the intelligent people in the globe

[@chandoo_]

Thanks for the appreciation and love Belkacem. 😍😀

[@vikastiwari7134]

I really wanted this topic to someone address, thankyou so much Chandoo

[@chandoo_]

Glad it helped Vikas :)

[@deepthireddy4725]

@@chandoo_ grateful to you for addresses this topic! Much needed at this time!

[@j3553hh]

I followed your advice six months ago, and I'm very glad! I was interested in learning a coding language for data handling in my job. I went with VBA because you said that those of us using Excel will have an immediate practical application. That was very true. I took three VBA courses and now I'm far more advanced in Excel than anyone at my 400 person company. And now I'm learning Python with the right perspective! I'm so glad I followed your advice and got that foundation with VBA. Thank you so much!

[@chandoo_]

Wow.. awesome to hear that. More power to you ⚡

[@BryanMendez120]

Because Python has libraries, it makes a lot easier to work with data... I know VBA anf Python and certainly I would choose this last one

[@CodingIsFun]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your opinion. I could not agree more. Sadly Python is rarely allowed in companies, while VBA gets you going fast and without any additions to Excel. In addition, VBA allows me to let other colleagues use my code without installing python or anything else. Of course, you could also package a .exe with python, but in many cases, the internal IT blocks most .exe files from running.

[@chandoo_]

Thank you. Yes, that is what I found when I work at client places too.

[@ommm4169]

Thanks Chandoo.. your mentality has brought you to where you are now… well done 👍👍👍

[@Jeddles]

your line of code to download all the comments from a youtube video was really interesting

[@Lone.wolf004]

so far you're my favorite youtuber. thanks man!

[@PatrickRatnaraja]

Oh This is Chandoo. I have used your VBA. Nice to watch your video.

[@richardcarlin1332]

VBA is really great if you want to automate while you are in and using, for example, Excel or Word. Python is great for automating from outside Excel or Word. In Python from the outside you can run Word or Excel macros, so when you actually open Excel or Word, you will be looking at the finished result. No requirement for the user to press buttons.

[@ArmandoReportes]

I liked and agreed with your comments. I liked the conclusion, which was kind of a surprise.

[@anarkiamusicmovie7036]

I learn VBA since 1years because in Mechanical it is THE KING, all sofware as CATIA or SolidWOrks use VBA with Excel often xD

[@chandoo_]

Didn't know that. 😀

[@shaikusman536]

Awsome chandooo...Good comparisiion...We We should be loyal to our skills...NOT Languages/Tools...Respect from Blr....

[@kalyanidivakar]

Every sentence flowing from exprential knowledge, even many have but may not sharing, your humble explanations are awesome

[@amit15491]

Thanks Chandu. I am following you since decade.. Thanks for sharing for all VBA and Python information.. Looking forward and stay blessed.

[@chandoo_]

Wow.. it is always a pleasure to interact with long time followers like you. Thanks for the blessings & love. 😍

[@caissa6187]

Great information. I'm going to check out your vba videos. Thanks for the help, I've become a new subscriber!

[@9019828585]

Hi chandoo , thanks for the honest and unbiased inputs.honestly, I will follow your inputs and choose VBA after a huge state of confusion . Really appreciate . I request you to make a video on books vs video to learn any programming language / skills from your perspective .

[@aiasaiascon3894]

Just a great video - you are a teacher with humour! and that is a thrilling combination!

[@janmejayamishra9308]

Chandoo is the best... long time follower of your website for vba and excel.. keep up the great job👍👍

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Janmejaya... 😀

[@BalrogsHaveWings]

Thank you very much for explaining this. Sometimes I dream of VBA and Python Offspring

[@manuelnilo6460]

but the big question is: when is Python going to be integrated in Excel as VBA is??

[@uthoshantm]

You do not need Python to be integrated with Excel. Excel contains your data, Python does the processing.

[@chandoo_]

There are also packages that can process / automate Excel files with Python. Just search.

[@smarannayak7357]

Tbh no, Office Scripts is based on JavaScript. I guess Microsoft is moving towards that more than Python. But python still has tons of packages that work with excel.

[@vinodmathew3036]

Never. Microsoft is more interested in integrating Typescript (Office Scripts).

[@samsgridview9652]

Eyeopener video for me.. Thanks Chandoo.. :)

[@chandoo_]

I am glad it helped Sam... 😀

[@ashishtiwari6555]

Thanks Chandoo.. It is great learning.. I have shared ur video's links with my friends who actually need them. You have great skills.. Keep up the good work.

[@chandoo_]

You are welcome Ashish. Big thanks for sharing and spreading the good word. More power to you.

[@vegaswould]

i think VBA is better depending on skill level and what goal you're trying to accomplish. macro recording automatically writes your VBA code for you when doing simple tasks. as far as i know, you can't do that with python :) (would be amazing if you could though)

[@suprabhaparab7610]

The domain is also important.for example If we take finance industry then anyone who works in financial modeling then VBA is non negotiable and if the person is in trading then nowadays python is the must

[@chandoo_]

Very good point. That said, most people will go thru a few domains in their life. I started off in Pharmaceutical, then went to insurance, then to tech, and now do a bit of HR.

[@moisestatis5418]

Thank you for your honest recommendation.

[@PaulRoneClarke]

Learn whichever you want/need or is more immediately first - then 6 months later learn the other - the skills you acquired learning the first are almost directly transferrable to the second. So you don't lose either way. If you work in a company that uses Excel a lot (and so many many companies still do) then maybe prefer VBA first. If not, if you want a little extra flexibility, learn Python first. Learning a second similar OO language will take a fraction of the time of learning your first. You'll be coding in your second language in no time once you've mastered your first. That's why so many coders know several languages. It generally gets easier to pick up new languages as you go on. I know a guy who is proficient in Java, C#, C++, Python, Javascript, VB, F, Ruby, as well as knowing CSS, HTML and PHP as well as anyone I know - and legacy languages like Pascal, Cobol, Lisp and Fortran. When a new dialect comes out like Kotlin - he's coding to a staggeringly good standard in it inside one or two days. TLDNR? It matters a lot less than most people think.

[@cuejorge2003]

Very good explained chandoo. Thank you so much!!!

[@AliMadoobe]

ArcGIS gives you options to use VBA, Python and SQL

[@chandoo_]

Didn't know that...

[@urbaneplanner]

Good advice - personally, I would agree that if you are working in a corporate environment where Microsoft products are used, learning vba is a terrific and efficient use of time. Advanced excel skills, including vba and also as you note, working with formulas, may be enough to super - charge your abilities and dramatically improve your productivity. Python, on the other hand, gets you involved with many applications outside of Microsoft. If you want to be programming more generally, it seems like python would be superior. However, not everyone will want to do this sort of more general programming - and if you do, basic python skills are really just the tip of the iceberg. The only slight caveat to this relates to indenting- for a beginner, it can be frustrating to deal with python’s fussiness about indents. This can distract from other learning as your code can break for indenting reasons. Vba doesn’t have this characteristic, so it may be a better language to start with.

[@rashmimishra2177]

thank you for the feedback

[@resilientprogrammer8466]

Thanks for recommending Mosh. He's my instructor and he's very explicit in his teaching.

[@chandoo_]

Yeah... Mosh is awesome :)

[@JoshAutomates]

And having excellent foundation in VBA helps you learn other programming languages a lot faster. Let's thrive in data crunching!

[@chandoo_]

Bingo!!! VBA, the gateway to programming addiction since 1993.

[@mouligodavarthi-yme1701]

Thanks alot for this chandoo ji

[@jrm250]

I got my nephew a Raspberry Pi for Christmas a few years ago and learned some very basic Python. I realized that it looked very similar to how my recorded macros look in excel and learned that it was actually a programming language called VBA. I now use VBA extensively at work and likely would not have gotten my recent promotion without it.

[@6My6sT6]

Is VBA easy to learn for non coders and is it a part of advanced Excel? If I learn VBA will python be easy for me? I am a mechanical design engineer with no programming knowledge or experience.

[@jrm250]

@@6My6sT6 Learning one programming language will certainly help to learn others. I only really use VBA, but with a few google searches, and trial and error, I have been able to create code for Google Sheets scripts on a few occasions.

[@6My6sT6]

@@jrm250 Do I need to be strong in mathematical concepts like Algebra, statistics and graph theory for python or VBA?

[@amarkate6172]

your thoughts always give great direction for long life distance

[@mirrrvelll5164]

Nice to see a book recommendation, got the same but didnt read it :D yet.... after this video I made up my mind a bit! Thanks!

[@shernawabkhan232]

wonderful conclusion dont have loyal to one program, keep learning.

[@vinodmathew3036]

Good advice Chandoo

[@Deedington]

Thank you very much Chandoo

[@FaisalReacts]

A great feature of VBA is you just know how use formulas and functions in Excel and record Macros, and it will convert into a VBA program itself.. there's no such a thing in Python related to Excel

[@sreejeshjnair6755]

Thanks for considering my comment

[@chandoo_]

You are welcome Sreejesh.. Many of our viewers requested this topic. So I made a video :)

[@emtionaldamage112]

Your every video is amazing, unlike others you are pretty honest in whatever u teach. May Allah bless you.

[@charlesotoghile6547]

Hi Chandoo. You will pass fr a 20 year old in this video. I thought it was your first video on KZbin, back in the years.

[@chandoo_]

Wow.. 😊

[@mathewinmuscat]

Sir, you did not mention charting ability in python, particularly with PBI.

[@chandoo_]

Yes... that was one thing I had on my notes but skipped.

[@36chethan]

Hi chandoo, As python is now available in Excel could you please try to create new videos on this topic as i know the basics of both vba and python. And i use everyday vba towards my office work

[@GinMotoLoko]

decided to go to c++ to create my own VBTHON :)

[@gyana441]

Was Looking for this video.

[@chandoo_]

😀😀😀

[@arslan_TM]

Sir, Can you please make a short video about Excel SQL. Is it advanced VBA ? I'm confused as some job listings (Data analysts) requires you to have SQL experience.

[@teoxengineer]

Chandoo hi, This comparison is so useful and applicable. However, you could make your tutorial enrich if you had added some screen examples which can be seen the functionality of two programming languages. Thanks

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Emre.. Good suggestion on adding screen examples. I will do a follow-up video in a few weeks time on that.

[@carlabest1257]

If you plan to deploy your application, then VB.NET is superior to python. The VB environment is feature rich and can be deployed easily on other computers - whereas, python, is just about impossible to deploy. I know that this is not what this video is about i.e. VBA. However, I just wanted to point out that VB.NET is a great all purpose environment for creating windows applications.

[@hemanthkumar4870]

Chandoo...u have a good sense of humor 🤣😀

[@chandoo_]

I love a good joke (and biryani 🥘 too).

[@silvestrecamposano6317]

Thanks again, Professor...

[@yogeshvaghu17]

Hey, I have some query .. How can I link my excel sheet with ERP oracle software.. Expecting a response on this comments from any member of author

[@mdmilonmahamud7908]

I want to Microsoft Office & Google sheet Automation. For this which is better for me VBA or Python? Please reply

[@mariterebarranco7794]

Thank you Chandoo; can C# replace VB/VBA for MS Windows/Office ecosystem?

[@chandoo_]

You are welcome. Reg. C# I don't think so. If anything, Office Scripts might try to replace VBA, but it is a steep hill to climb and I am not betting on it either.

[@weiyuquan2425]

Sorry I thought because of security vulnerabilities VBA scripts is disable in most organisations?

[@chandoo_]

That is not completely true.

[@venkatiyer7459]

Guru ... Correct me whether I am seeing Power Point when you say Access .... or it is voluntary

[@junaidrizvi9884]

Thanks chandoo👍

[@chandoo_]

You are welcome Junaid... :)

[@BenDieselBasicAutomotive]

Thank you for the knowledge..

[@bharathserji1276]

After saving pdf file how to make it open automatically?

[@shwetatiwary5152]

Dear Sir , I would like to learn both PyThon 🐍 and VBA 😃. Since you teach in such a simple way . 👍🏻 Regards

[@dominicatuahene7303]

Hello Chandoo, what is the link to your website please

[@brittokhan5278]

Do we need to learn c programming before? Or c++ ?

[@agilanmk12]

any book for vba ?

[@samarmushtaq3979]

Sir Could you explain how to learn R programming language

[@sanketv1]

PLEASE I have the project of getting some data from a dynamic website(which updates in realtime) to excel & further to process it for the result that can help me to take the decision- in this condition which is better -python or VBA? PLEASE

[@sakthii2403]

Hi chandoo, I m working in shipping industry all my daily works are in Excel like (data extraction, Data cleansing, after cleaning need to filling gap using lookup formulas , after filling gap need to organizing data, Data Transferring to msword template and also consolidation), and i handle VBA which already created if is there any error occurs while running means my team mate (now he left from my company) guided me, so i can able to debug existing vba code. In my project my company using Excel only. Right now no one know VBA in my team, mostly all our teammates are doing repetitive tasks every day. Now i m planning to learn VBA or Python or RPA. i m not that much good in coding (I Know basic SQL, PLSQL) could you please suggest me which one i need to learn right now.(if i learn VBA is that good for future? or directly can i learn python or RPA tools?) When i research I came to know RPA tools like Uipath have a drag and drop option and that RPA tools also automate excel tasks, do's RPA tools can able to automate my daily works which I said above? I m in confusing stage please help me to take currect decision.

[@hi-tech-1149]

Hi Sir, Could you please guide me how to make automation using python software. I would like to automate some repetitive task which is kind input entry in some simulation software to get the output.

[@deependra888]

This one`s mine is just Awesome...

[@chandoo_]

Don't want my audience to be confused... 🤣

[@nupursarkar8737]

HI Chandoo! Thanks for the amazing share ... Could you please tell us when does the point come when we use other tools other than excel for data analysis where excel has shortcomings? I mean it could be data size or visualization anything it could be.. just let us know

[@rahulmane3948]

Dear all, Can you pls confirm how and from where we can learn VBA?

[@sriramamurty1298]

Nice.. helpful.... meanwhile, I get unstructured text in Colomns...I need to seperate text & number combo...how to do?

[@ricklinty]

You can use power query

[@sriramamurty1298]

@@ricklinty Can you explain more

[@myvarsitylearning6316]

PowerQuery may handle your data transforms

[@ricklinty]

@@sriramamurty1298 Power Query is very useful ETL(Extract,Transform,Load to) tool in excel A button can split by number-digit or digit-number

[@ricklinty]

@@sriramamurty1298 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaK3c6aFerqCjJo

[@kyiwintun4253]

I did indeed watched "Programming with Mosh", and I really enjoyed how he explained it. Chandoo, thank you very much for the videos. I really appreciate your efforts. The organization I worked 90% uses Microsoft office so, I feel like I need to learn VBA and Macros. Can you kindly me tips on where I can learn VBA and Macro basics?

[@jagannathhup9083]

What are the best books for python for learners

[@Artformatics]

I know SQL, Python, R but Vba Is the toughest coding language that I ever tried. It's so tough that it's the only coding language which I gave up.

[@Aditya-um6wc]

Any book for the VBA crash course?

[@vinaymanchanda6526]

Hi @chandoo , Can you please create a playlist just for Automation through VBA and/or python

[@chandoo_]

Here it is - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJbVepaCi5yUaNU

[@davidlobel]

Hi, Great video...but you compare Python vs VBA. What about comparing to Visual Basic (VB)? I'm an old school developer. Started with Clipper in the DOS days, then moved to Visual Basic when coding for Windows. It's been 20 years since coding, but I've still retained my logic skills. I'm used to (and believe in) strong typing and coding rules. Sounds like Python (also being an interpreter not a compiler) is very lose and unstructured...which IMO sounds like a difficult task to debug, especially if you're working on someone else's code. For example, not having to declare a variable and its type, and just start using a variable anywhere in you code. Doesn't sound right. And how do you know if that variable is Global or local? I also don't see programmers using naming conventions to name their vars to their intended type (ie, cName is a char, nCount is numeric, aList is an array, etc.) Now...not to sound too old school, I do recognize that Python has been around for a long time, widely used , and very popular. So there has to be something I'm missing. Thoughts? Ideas? Comparison to VB and not VBA? Thank in advance.

[@chandoo_]

Coincidentally, I too started my programming journey with VB (well, Basic first, then C, C++ and eventually VB). At a programming level, there is no difference between VBA and VB. Having used Python extensively during the last year (2022) I find that the variable scope is a dicey thing to get right. But not having to declare them makes the language more approachable to newbies. My kids who are 12 (last year) could start building fun games and programs in Python without needing to know any of that. So yeah, to a beginner it is a blessing, but for an experienced coder, this can be painful to watch.

[@davidlobel]

@@chandoo_ Hey, excellent answer. So I’ve become a frustrated old school developer …well, not that old school… :). So based on your experience, is Python just coding for the “lazy” or those “who are looking for an easy way for a means to an end?” Tough to say when so many big companies are using it…though they don’t say where they use Python and if it’s used for critical mission projects. I like the idea of cross OS development, but seems like so many hoops and plug-ins to use for it to get even close to a strongly typed and mature language. So bottom line: VB or Python? I don’t believe VB is cross platform to MacOS…or is it? Tnx.

[@kashandata]

Can you please list all the books on your desk?

[@chandoo_]

Sure... They are R for Data Science The definitive guide to DAX Storytelling with Data You can see some of recommended books here - www.amazon.com/shop/chandoo

[@kashandata]

@@chandoo_ Thanks a lot.

[@sujeetsamal]

Thanks sir... very useful tips.

[@Jalaj999]

How can i insert a pic in a cell of excel from an URL.

[@chandoo_]

Excel pictures do not technically belong to cells. They are just floating on the canvas. You can use VBA to place a downloaded picture on a cell. Just record a macro and see it yourself. If you need a hand with understanding the basics of VBA, see this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5yQfKOJoNeFhdk (the new data types feature kind of makes it possible to have pictures in cells though)

[@johnmosheim]

Can Python be used inside of Excel like VBA to manipulate spreadsheet elements from the inside?

[@SeetheAutmon]

Multiple languages can be used to modify the data inside a spreadsheet. However, only VBA can be used inside Excel and other Microsoft Office products.

[@aashishmeshram5707]

I always get some important information from your channel, even I try to implement in my job. I appreciate your hard work to provide smart work. Thank you Aashish

[@most-watched-videos788]

Chadoo, pl. be nice and fair..pl. don't delete adverse comments..sometimes other people's comments are much informative and helpfull..pl. be open..I salute ur knowledge on excel though..thanks

[@chandoo_]

Well, I want to be nice too. But your comment was not adding to the discussion or helpful. You be fair too.

[@JuFF1989_FI]

Does a possibility of getting employed as a data analyst prior to learning coding really exist?

[@sorinm221]

Where can I learn VBA programming? What's the best site? I want to use VBA for outlook, excel and Word.

[@chandoo_]

There is no such thing as "BEST" site. You an see the VBA getting started video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/omHSaImDestjr8U and if you want more, join the VBA classes I run - chandoo.org/wp/vba-classes/

[@nyeembashar1659]

How can i follow you on LinkedIn?