Automating electronic mail distribution directly from Microsoft Excel using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) involves creating scripts that interact with mail clients or SMTP servers. This process allows users to generate and dispatch messages, often containing data extracted from spreadsheets, without manual intervention. For example, a routine could be developed to automatically email monthly sales reports to department heads directly from an Excel workbook.
The ability to programmatically transmit correspondence enhances efficiency and reduces the potential for human error. It enables scheduled or event-triggered communications, such as sending notifications when inventory levels fall below a certain threshold. Historically, this functionality streamlined business processes by integrating data analysis and communication workflows. This ensured timely information dissemination and improved responsiveness to critical business events.