I am used to using VB, which I am now learning. What I don't understand is
VBA. How do the objects you place on the desktop run if you never compile
anything. If I put a button, for example, on the desktop, I can write code
in it, but it still remains in the "form" mode.

Is there a step I need to know about to integrate this button with the
spreadsheet and make it work?

Mark