The Future of VBA in India: Is It Still Relevant in 2025?

When conversations about automation come up in 2025, you’ll usually hear buzzwords like Power Automate, Python, AI, and cloud platforms. One name that rarely enters the discussion? VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). Many dismiss it as old-fashioned or call it a “thing of the past.”

But step into a finance department in Mumbai, an IT services office in Bengaluru, or a manufacturing unit in Chennai, and you’ll likely find VBA still hard at work. It may not be modern or flashy, but it continues to run critical processes—automating reports, cleaning messy data, and powering custom Excel functions. Best of all, it does this fast, reliably, and without extra costs.

Here’s the reality: VBA doesn’t make headlines, it won’t get you recognition on LinkedIn, and it’s not the “next big thing.” But when a deadline is tight or a huge dataset lands on your desk, VBA often turns out to be the quiet hero that saves the day.
 

This article isn’t about claiming VBA is the future of automation. It’s about giving VBA its due credit in 2025—while also showing where it fits alongside tools like Power Automate and Python. Because in many cases, the simplest tool that just works is the one businesses trust.

Why People Think VBA Is Outdated

If you’ve read articles or LinkedIn posts recently, you’ve probably seen people declaring VBA “dead.” Their arguments usually sound like this:

• The Rise of Power Automate: Microsoft is heavily investing in Power Automate and Power Apps, which are modern, cloud-friendly, and beginner-friendly.
• Python’s Popularity: With libraries like Pandas and NumPy, Python is now the go-to language for analysts and data engineers.
• The Cloud Movement: As companies shift to the cloud, desktop-only tools like VBA seem outdated.

At first glance, these arguments seem valid. But in the Indian market, practicality often outweighs popularity.

Why VBA Still Matters in India in 2025

Despite newer options, VBA continues to hold its ground in India for some very practical reasons:

• It’s Everywhere
  Millions of Indian companies, from small businesses to large enterprises, still rely on Excel processes built with VBA. Rebuilding these in Python or Power Automate takes time, cost, and specialized skills.
  Example: A manufacturing SME in Coimbatore still uses a VBA macro to generate daily production reports. Moving this to Power Automate would require additional infrastructure and expertise. The macro? It runs in seconds and has been working flawlessly for years.
   
• Easy for Excel User
  India has one of the largest Excel-using workforces in the world. For many, VBA is the natural next step beyond formulas. Its simple learning curve makes it ideal for accountants, analysts, and managers who want to automate tasks without deep programming knowledge.
   
• Offline Advantage
  Cloud solutions need strong internet connectivity, but not all Indian industries have that luxury. On factory floors, rural offices, or fieldwork sites, VBA scripts can still run smoothly offline.
   
• Cost Efficiency
  VBA comes bundled with Microsoft Office—no extra licenses needed. For startups, SMEs, and budget-conscious teams, this makes VBA a cost-saving choice compared to adopting new tools.

The Balanced Outlook

So, should Indian professionals still rely on VBA in 2025? The answer is: Yes—with perspective.
 

• For everyday Excel users: VBA is a huge time-saver. Even basic skills can cut hours of repetitive work.
• For long-term career growth: VBA alone won’t take you far. Pairing it with Power Automate, Python, or SQL ensures you’re future-ready while still leveraging VBA where it’s strong.

Think of it like learning to ride a geared scooter in India. Automatic scooters (like Power Automate) are everywhere now, but if you know how to handle gears, you get more control and flexibility.

Final Thoughts

For more than a decade, people have been predicting the “end of VBA.” Yet here we are in 2025, and VBA is still actively running behind the scenes—in Indian banking, IT services, supply chains, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Is VBA the future of automation? Probably not.
Is VBA still relevant? Absolutely.
 

If you’re just starting, record a macro and explore the code—you’ll see how quickly it saves time. If you’re advanced, build custom Excel functions to speed up recurring tasks. And if you’re aiming for career growth, balance VBA with modern automation tools. Knowing both the “old reliable” and the “new exciting” makes you twice as valuable in India’s competitive job market.

Editor’s Note

At Excelgoodies, we help Indian professionals bridge the gap between spreadsheets and business intelligence. Our program, Microsoft Excel Reporting: Business Reporting & Model Building, empowers you to transform raw Excel data into actionable insights.

👉 Explore our course: Microsoft Excel VBA Macro Programming and take your first step toward becoming an Excel power user.

Courtesy: Excelgoodies Power Users.
 

VBA & Python