Imagine if you could get more hours in your day. Sound good? Well, with a little work and time invested up front, that’s pretty much what process automation can do for you. By using tools like Excel Macros, Power Automate, VBScripting, and Python, you can hand over repetitive tasks to your computer, freeing up your time to focus on more important (and likely interesting) things.

Excel Macros (Visual Basic for Applications)

Ever found yourself at your desk updating the same spreadsheet the exact same way you do every other Monday, and thinking, “I wish I could just hit a button and get this task done!”? Good news – with Macros, you probably can! Macros, coded in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), allow you to record or write scripts for tasks you perform regularly. You can then run these tasks at the click of a button. It’s like creating your own personal “Easy Button” for Excel. The time saved here can be used for more creative or critical tasks – or maybe even getting out of the office a bit earlier!

Power Automate

Taking automation a step further, we’ve got Power Automate – Microsoft’s cloud-based service that can automate workflows across multiple applications. It’s the digital version of a relay race, passing the baton (your data) between your apps and services to get work done. From sending automatic email responses to creating tasks in your project management tool based on incoming emails – Power Automate handles the monotonous tasks, so you don’t have to.

VBScripting through Task Scheduler

Another handy tool is VBScript, which you can use in combination with the Task Scheduler in Windows to automate a variety of tasks. You can use a VBScript to launch those automated excel workbooks we mentioned earlier (and many other things) and schedule it to run when you need it through the task scheduler. Combine VBScript with Task Scheduler, and your computer turns into an efficient, autonomous workhorse, and on Windows computers… they’re both already installed. For free (unless IT blocked them; sorry IT peeps, you guys love blocking stuff, just stating facts).

Python

Last, but certainly not least, we’ve got Python – a high-level, general-purpose programming language that’s as powerful as it is user-friendly. Python’s simplicity and readability make it a great choice for automating tasks and it’s perfect for beginners. With Python, you can automate everything from data analysis to web scraping to file management. Plus, there are tons of free resources and an active online community to help you get started and solve any problems you might encounter.

The Bottom Line

Process automation might sound a bit sci-fi, but it’s here, it’s accessible, and it’s ready to make your work life easier (and earn a few fun nicknames like ‘wizard’ or ‘ninja’ from the less technical people you’ll likely impress). Whether you’re handling data in Excel, coordinating tasks across multiple apps, scheduling system tasks, or coding your own solutions with Python, automation tools can give you time and energy back in your day. It’s like having a team of robotic assistants ready to take the mundane tasks off your hands.

In a world where time is the most valuable resource, automation can be your secret weapon for productivity. So why not give it a go? It’s time to embrace the future of work and start delegating to the computers.