Should Excel financial planning models use VBA macros?
During recent job searches, I was repeatedly asked whether I use macros in financial planning models. The author and peers believe that macros have limited value to the core of the model, and may only be helpful in certain scenarios (such as goal seeking). They also suspect that interviewers may confuse VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and macros.
In recent months, during interviews for positions requiring the construction of financial planning models, I have been repeatedly asked whether I use macros in the models I build. Although I understand how to use macros and can even write them through the Visual Basic Editor, I do not use macros in my bottom-up Excel models. I find it difficult to see how macros can add 'significant value' to a model, except perhaps in scenarios like Goal Seek. I also do not believe that Excel VBA macros used for auxiliary functions such as formatting or printing add 'significant value' to a model. I have asked several friends whose primary work is financial planning, and they also do not use macros.
I am unsure why these interviewers are so focused on whether I use macros when building financial planning models. Perhaps they are confusing functions like VLOOKUP or PivotTables with macros?
If anyone could help clarify or provide insights, it would be very helpful. My friends and I are eager to know whether we are missing out on valuable macros in financial planning.
Thank you!