The main elements of the software development environment are considered, as well as the basic constructs of the algorithmic languages ​ ​ Visual Basic and VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). Standard Windows windows, text files, forms, Excel spreadsheet are used as the user interface of the program (macro). The issue of developing custom Excel functions is also considered. Demonstrated techniques for working with a program debugger, help systems, macro recorder and personal macro book. Programming experience is optional.