Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Working while a Macro is Running.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 7, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Macros are great for doing the mundane (or not so mundane) processing that is often necessary with Excel data. After you start to use them, you may find that running macros can consume quite a bit of time. While you are running them, there is very little else that you can do, since Excel won't allow you to do any other work while the macro is chunking away.
The best way to do additional work is to open another instance of Excel. As you are working on one workbook in the foreground, the other instance of Excel continues to work away at the macro in the background. This approach works because Windows allows multiple instances of a program, each in its own workspace. The only thing you cannot do is work in the foreground on the same workbook which the macro is using.
In order to open a second instance of Excel, simply follow the steps you followed to open the first instance. For example, if you started Excel by calling up the Start menu and then the Programs submenu, you could do the same thing to open the second instance.
You should realize that the macro running in the background instance of Excel will be affected by you working on a different instance of Excel in the foreground. This, again, is related to how Windows treats different programs. On most systems, the background programs are given a smaller percentage of the CPU's attention than the foreground program.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2021) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Working while a Macro is Running.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel 2013 Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
Macros can be used for all sorts of data processing needs. One need that is fairly common is the need to move data from ...
Discover MoreNeed to figure out an absolute value within your macro code? It's easy to do using the Abs function, described in this tip.
Discover MoreWhen writing a macro, you may want to fill a range of cells with different values. The easiest way to do this is to use ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2020-09-18 04:27:33
Barry
See my comment below👇👇
2020-09-17 11:07:40
Steve Froess
https://excel.tips.net/T002021_Working_while_a_Macro_is_Running.html
Great but it doesn't work.
It used to be the case that I could open (once six) instances of excel running macros simultaneously. I have a video of this, it's pretty cool.
Fast forward to now, Windows Office Excel 2016 and you can't do that.
I can of course open multiple instances of excel, but if one ir running a macro (takes 42 minutes to run), I can't do ANYTHING with the others. How do I get around this?
2017-07-13 02:23:47
@Vahan
Yes there is a way, within the macro you need to have a "DoEvents" instructions, probably within the loop that is taking the time to execute.
This will make the macro run slower but it allows you to work on the same workbook.
One proviso though; changing values in the workbook might affect the running of the macro, therefore the coding of the macro must take this into account. You can also get some odd effects such as the user making a change and the macro changing it back or to a different value, ideally the macro should warn the user to avoid confusion.
2017-07-12 02:30:42
Vahan
What if I want to work on the same excel file, that my macro is running on? Is there a way to do your job while macro is running in the background?
thanks.
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
Comments