1 create a macro

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1 Create a Macro: With Excel VBA you can automate tasks in Excel by writing so called macros. n thischa!ter" learn how to create a sim!le macro.

# MsgBox: $he MsgBox is a dialog box in Excel VBA you can use to in%orm the users o% your !rogram.

& Workbook and Worksheet 'b(ect: )earn more about the Workbook and Worksheet ob(ect in Excel VBA.

* +ange 'b(ect: $he +ange ob(ect" which is the re!resentation o% a cell ,or cells- on your worksheet" is themost im!ortant ob(ect o% Excel VBA.

Variables: $his cha!ter teaches you how to declare" initiali/e and dis!lay a 0ariable in Excel VBA.

% $hen 2tatement: 3se the % $hen statement in Excel VBA to execute code lines i% a s!eci%ic condition ismet.

4 )oo!: )oo!ing is one o% the most !ower%ul !rogramming techni5ues. A loo! in Excel VBA enables you toloo! through a range o% cells with (ust a %ew codes lines.

6 Macro Errors: $his cha!ter teaches you how to deal with macro errors in Excel.

7 2tring Mani!ulation: n this cha!ter" you8ll %ind the most im!ortant %unctions to mani!ulate strings in ExcelVBA.

19 ate and $ime: )earn how to work with dates and times in Excel VBA.

11E0ents:E0ents are actions !er%ormed by users which trigger Excel VBA to execute code.

1# Array: An array is a grou! o% 0ariables. n Excel VBA" you can re%er to a s!eci%ic 0ariable ,element- o%an array by using the array name and the index number.

1& ;unction and 2ub: n Excel VBA" a %unction can return a 0alue while a sub cannot.

1* A!!lication 'b(ect: $he mother o% all ob(ects is Excel itsel%. We call it the A!!lication ob(ect. $hea!!lication ob(ect gi0es access to a lot o% Excel related o!tions.

1 Acti0e< Controls: )earn how to create Acti0e< controls such as command buttons" text boxes" list boxesetc.

1 3ser%orm: $his cha!ter teaches you how to create an Excel VBA 3ser%orm.

1 Create a Macro: With Excel VBA you can automate tasks in Excel by writingso called macros. n this cha!ter" learn how to create a sim!le macro.
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/msgbox.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/workbook-worksheet-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/range-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/variables.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/if-then-statement.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/loop.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/macro-errors.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/string-manipulation.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/date-time.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/events.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/events.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/events.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/array.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/function-sub.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/application-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/activex-controls.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/userform.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/msgbox.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/workbook-worksheet-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/range-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/variables.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/if-then-statement.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/loop.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/macro-errors.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/string-manipulation.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/date-time.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/events.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/array.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/function-sub.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/application-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/activex-controls.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/userform.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html


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With Excel VBAyou can automate tasks in Excel by writing so called macros. n this cha!ter" learn how tocreate a sim!le macrowhich will be executed a%ter clicking on a command button. ;irst" turn on thee0elo!er tab.

Developer Tab

$o turn on the e0elo!ter tab" execute the %ollowing ste!s.

1. +ight click anywhere on the ribbon" and then click Customi/e the +ibbon.

Ad0ertisement

#. 3nder Customi/e the +ibbon" on the right side o% the dialog box" select Main tabs ,i% necessary-.

&. Check the e0elo!er check box.


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*. Click '=.

. >ou can %ind the e0elo!er tab next to the View tab.

Command Button

$o !lace a command button on your worksheet" execute the %ollowing ste!s.

1. 'n the e0elo!er tab" click nsert.

#. n the Acti0e< Controls grou!" click Command Button.
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&. rag a command button on your worksheet.

Ad0ertisement

Assign a Macro

$o assign a macro ,one or more code lines- to the command button" execute the %ollowing ste!s.

1. +ight click CommandButton1 ,make sure esign Mode is selected-.

#. Click View Code.

$he Visual Basic Editor a!!ears.


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&. ?lace your cursor between ?ri0ate 2ub CommandButton1@Click,- and End 2ub.

*. Add the code line shown below.

ote: the window on the le%t with the names 2heet1" 2heet# and 2heet& is called the ?ro(ect Ex!lorer. % the?ro(ect Ex!lorer is not 0isible" click View" ?ro(ect Ex!lorer. $o add the Code window %or the %irst sheet"click 2heet1 ,2heet1-.

. Close the Visual Basic Editor.

. Click the command button on the sheet ,make sure esign Mode is deselected-.

+esult:

Congratulations. >ou80e (ust created a macro in Excel

Visual Basic Editor

$o o!en the Visual Basic Editor" on the e0elo!er tab" click Visual Basic.
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2 MsgBox: The MsgBox is a dialog box in Excel VBA

you can use to inorm the users o your program!

$he MsgBoxis a dialog box in Excel VBAyou can use to in%orm the users o% your !rogram. ?lace acommand buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code lines:

1. A sim!le message.

MsgBox $his is %un

+esult when you click the command button on the sheet:
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Ad0ertisement

#. A little more ad0anced message. ;irst" enter a number into cell A1.

MsgBox Entered 0alue is D +ange,A1-.Value


ote: we used the D o!erator to concatenate ,(oin- two strings. Although +ange,A1-.0alue is not a string"it works here.

&. $o start a new line in a message" use 0bew)ine.

MsgBox )ine 1 D 0bew)ine D )ine #


" #or$boo$ and #or$sheet %b&ect: 'earn more about

the #or$boo$ and #or$sheet ob&ect in Excel VBA!%b&ect (ierarchy
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n Excel VBA" an ob(ect can contain another ob(ect" and that ob(ect can contain another ob(ect" etc. n otherwords" Excel VBA !rogramming in0ol0es working with an ob(ect hierarchy. $his !robably sounds 5uitecon%using" but we will make it clear.

$he mother o% all ob(ects is Excel itsel%. We call it the A!!lication ob(ect. $he a!!lication ob(ect containsother ob(ects. ;or exam!le" the Workbook ob(ect ,Excel %ile-. $his can be any workbook you ha0e created.$he Workbook ob(ect contains other ob(ects" such as the Worksheet ob(ect. $he Worksheet ob(ect containsother ob(ects" such as the +ange ob(ect.

Ad0ertisement

$he Create a Macrocha!ter illustrates how to run code by clicking on a command button. We used the%ollowing code line:

+ange,A1-.Value Fello

but what we really meant was:

A!!lication.Workbooks,createGaGmacro-.Worksheets,1-.+ange,A1-.Value Fello

ote: the ob(ects are connected with a dot. ;ortunately" we do not ha0e to add a code line this way. $hat isbecause we !laced our command button in createGaGmacro.xls" on the %irst worksheet. Be aware that i% youwant to change di%%erent things on di%%erent worksheets to include the Worksheet ob(ect. +ead on.

Collections

>ou may ha0e noticed that Workbooks and Worksheets are both !lural. $hat is because they are collections.$he Workbooks collection contains all the Workbook ob(ects that are currently o!en. $he Worksheetscollection contains all the Worksheet ob(ects in a workbook.

>ou can re%er to a member o% the collection" %or exam!le" a single Worksheet ob(ect" in three ways.

1. 3sing the worksheet name.

Worksheets,2ales-.+ange,A1-.Value Fello

#. 3sing the index number ,1 is the %irst worksheet starting %rom the le%t-.

Worksheets,1-.+ange,A1-.Value Fello

&. 3sing the Codeame.

2heet1.+ange,A1-.Value Fello

$o see the Codeame o% a worksheet" o!en the Visual Basic Editor.n the ?ro(ect Ex!lorer" the %irst name is

the Codeame. $he second name is the worksheet name ,2ales-.
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#visual-basic-editorhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#visual-basic-editorhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#visual-basic-editor


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ote: the Codeame remains the same i% you change the worksheet name or the order o% your worksheets sothis is the sa%est way to re%erence a worksheet. Click View" ?ro!erties Window to change the Codeame o% a

worksheet. $here is one disad0antage" you cannot use the Codeame i% you re%erence a worksheet in adi%%erent workbook.

)roperties and Methods

ow let8s take a look at some !ro!erties and methods o% the Workbooks and Worksheets collection.?ro!erties are something which an collection has ,they describe the collection-" while methods do something,they !er%orm an action with an collection-.

?lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the code lines:

1. $he Add method o% the Workbooks collection creates a new workbook.

Workbooks.Add

ote: the Add method o% the Worksheets collection creates a new worksheet.

#. $he Count !ro!erty o% the Worksheets collection counts the number o% worksheets in a workbook.

MsgBox Worksheets.Count


ote: the Count !ro!erty o% the Workbooks collection counts the number o% acti0e workbooks.
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-button


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* +ange %b&ect: The +ange ob&ect, -hich is the representation o a

cell .or cells/ on your -or$sheet, is the most important ob&ect o

Excel VBA!

$he +ange ob&ect" which is the re!resentation o% a cell ,or cells- on your worksheet" is the most im!ortantob(ect o% Excel VBA. $his cha!ter gi0es an o0er0iew o% the !ro!erties and methods o% the +ange ob(ect.

?ro!erties are something which an ob(ect has ,they describe the ob(ect-" while methods do something ,they!er%orm an action with an ob(ect-.

+ange Examples

?lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code line:

+ange,B&-.Value #Ad0ertisement


Code:

+ange,A1:A*-.Value

+esult:

Code:

+ange,A1:A#"B&:C*-.Value 19

+esult:
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/range-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/range-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-button


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Cells

nstead o% +ange" you can also use Cells. 3sing Cells is !articularly use%ul when you want to loo!throughranges.

Code:

Cells,&" #-.Value #

+esult:

Ex!lanation: Excel VBA enters the 0alue # into the cell at the intersection o% row & and column #.

Code:

+ange,Cells,1" 1-" Cells,*" 1--.Value

+esult:

Declare a +ange %b&ect

>ou can declare a +ange ob(ect by using the keywords im and 2et.

Code:

im exam!le As +ange2et exam!le +ange,A1:C*-

exam!le.Value 6

+esult:
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Ad0ertisement

0elect

An im!ortant method o% the +ange ob(ect is the 2elect method. $he 2elect method sim!ly selects a range.

Code:


exam!le.2elect

+esult:

+o-s

$he +ows !ro!erty gi0es access to a s!eci%ic row o% a range.

Code:


exam!le.+ows,&-.2elect

+esult:

ote: border %or illustration only.

Columns

$he Columns !ro!erty gi0es access to a s!eci%ic column o% a range.

Code:


exam!le.Columns,#-.2elect


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+esult:


Copy1)aste

$he Co!y and ?aste method are used to co!y a range and to !aste it somewhere else on the worksheet.

Code:

+ange,A1:A#-.2elect2election.Co!y

+ange,C&-.2electActi0e2heet.?aste

+esult:

Although this is allowed in Excel VBA" it is much better to use the code line below which does exactly thesame.

+ange,C&:C*-.Value +ange,A1:A#-.Value

Clear

$o clear the content o% an Excel range" you can use the ClearContents method.

+ange,A1-.ClearContents

or sim!ly use:

+ange,A1-.Value

ote: use the Clear method to clear the content and %ormat o% a range. 3se the Clear;ormats method to clearthe %ormat only.

Count

With the Count !ro!erty" you can count the number o% cells" rows and columns o% a range.


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Code:


MsgBox exam!le.Count

+esult:

Code:


MsgBox exam!le.+ows.Count

+esult:

ote: in a similar way" you can count the number o% columns o% a range.

Variables: This chapter teaches you ho- to declare,

initiali3e and display a variable in Excel VBA!
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/variables.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/variables.html


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$his cha!ter teaches you how to declare" initiali/e and dis!lay a variablein Excel VBA. )etting Excel VBAknow you are using a 0ariable is called declaring a 0ariable. nitiali/ing sim!ly means assigning a beginning,initial- 0alue to a 0ariable.

?lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the code lines below. $o execute the code lines" clickthe command button on the sheet.

4nteger

nteger 0ariables are used to store whole numbers.

im x As ntegerx +ange,A1-.Value x

Ad0ertisement

+esult:

Ex!lanation: the %irst code line declares a 0ariable with name x o% ty!e nteger. ext" we initiali/e x with0alue . ;inally" we write the 0alue o% x to cell A1.

0tring

2tring 0ariables are used to store text.

Code:

im book As 2tringbook bible+ange,A1-.Value book

+esult:

Ex!lanation: the %irst code line declares a 0ariable with name book o% ty!e 2tring. ext" we initiali/e bookwith the text bible. Always use a!ostro!hes to initiali/e 2tring 0ariables. ;inally" we write the text o% the

0ariable book to cell A1.

Double


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A 0ariable o% ty!e ouble is more accurate than a 0ariable o% ty!e nteger and can also store numbers a%terthe comma.

Code:

im x As ntegerx .MsgBox 0alue is D x

+esult:

But that is not the right 0alue We initiali/ed the 0ariable with 0alue . and we get the 0alue . What weneed is a 0ariable o% ty!e ouble.

Code:

im x As oublex .MsgBox 0alue is D x

+esult:

ote: )ong 0ariables ha0e e0en larger ca!acity. Always use 0ariables o% the right ty!e. As a result" errors areeasier to %ind and your code will run %aster.

Boolean

3se a Boolean 0ariable to hold the 0alue $rue or ;alse.

Code:

im continue As Booleancontinue $rue

% continue $rue $hen MsgBox Boolean 0ariables are cool


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+esult:

Ex!lanation: the %irst code line declares a 0ariable with name continue o% ty!e Boolean. ext" we initiali/econtinue with the 0alue $rue. ;inally" we use the Boolean 0ariable to only dis!lay a MsgBox i% the 0ariableholds the 0alue $rue.

5 4 Then 0tatement: 6se the 4 Then statement in Excel

VBA to execute code lines i a speciic condition is met!3se the 4 Then statementin Excel VBAto execute code lines i% a s!eci%ic condition is met.

4 Then 0tatement

?lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code lines:

im score As nteger" result As 2tringscore +ange,A1-.Value

% score H 9 $hen result !ass

+ange,B1-.Value resultAd0ertisement

Ex!lanation: i% score is greater than or e5ual to 9" Excel VBA returns !ass.


ote: i% score is less than 9" Excel VBA !laces the 0alue o% the em!ty 0ariable result into cell B1.

Else 0tatement


im score As nteger" result As 2tringscore +ange,A1-.Value
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/if-then-statement.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/if-then-statement.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-button


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% score H 9 $hen result !assElse result %ailEnd %

+ange,B1-.Value result

Ex!lanation: i% score is greater than or e5ual to 9" Excel VBA returns !ass" else Excel VBA returns %ail.


ote: only i% you ha0e one code line a%ter $hen and no Else statement" it is allowed to !lace a code linedirectly a%ter $hen and to omit ,lea0e out- End % ,%irst exam!le-. 'therwise start a new line a%ter the words$hen and Else and end with End % ,second exam!le-.

7 'oop: 'ooping is one o the most po-erul programming

techni8ues! A loop in Excel VBA enables you to loop through a

range o cells -ith &ust a e- codes lines!

0ingle 'oop

>ou can use a single loo! to loo! through a oneGdimensional range o% cells.


im i As nteger

;or i 1 $o Cells,i" 1-.Value 199

ext i Ad0ertisement

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Ex!lanation: $he code lines between ;or and ext will be executed six times. ;or i 1" Excel VBA entersthe 0alue 199 into the cell at the intersection o% row 1 and column 1. When Excel VBA reaches ext i" itincreases i with 1 and (um!s back to the ;or statement. ;or i #" Excel VBA enters the 0alue 199 into thecell at the intersection o% row # and column 1" etc.

ote: it is good !ractice to always indent ,tab- the code between the words ;or and ext. $his makes yourcode easier to read.

Double 'oop

>ou can use a double loo! to loo! through a twoGdimensional range o% cells.


im i As nteger" ( As nteger

;or i 1 $o ;or ( 1 $o #

Cells,i" (-.Value 199 ext (

ext i


Ex!lanation: ;or i 1 and ( 1" Excel VBA enters the 0alue 199 into the cell at the intersection o% row 1and column 1. When Excel VBA reaches ext (" it increases ( with 1 and (um!s back to the ;or ( statement.;or i 1 and ( #" Excel VBA enters the 0alue 199 into the cell at the intersection o% row 1 and column #.

ext" Excel VBA ignores ext ( because ( only runs %rom 1 to #. When Excel VBA reaches ext i" itincreases i with 1 and (um!s back to the ;or i statement. ;or i # and ( 1" Excel VBA enters the 0alue 199into the cell at the intersection o% row # and column 1" etc.

Triple 'oop

>ou can use a tri!le loo! to loo! through twoGdimensional ranges on multi!le Excel worksheets.


im c As nteger" i As nteger" ( As nteger

;or c 1 $o & ;or i 1 $o ;or ( 1 $o # Worksheets,c-.Cells,i" (-.Value 199 ext (
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ext iext c

Ex!lanation: $he only change made com!ared to the code %or the double loo! is that we ha0e added onemore loo! and added Worksheets,c-. in %ront o% Cells to get the twoGdimensional range on the %irst sheet %orc 1" the second sheet %or c # and the third sheet %or c &. ownload the Excel %ile to see this result.

Ad0ertisement

Do #hile 'oop

Besides the ;or ext loo!" there are other loo!s in Excel VBA. ;or exam!le" the o While )oo!. Code!laced between o While and )oo! will be re!eated as long as the !art a%ter o While is true.

1. ?lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code lines:

im i As ntegeri 1

o While i I Cells,i" 1-.Value #9 i i J 1)oo!


Ex!lanation: as long as i is lower than " Excel VBA enters the 0alue #9 into the cell at the intersection o%row i and column 1 and increments i by 1. n Excel VBA ,and in other !rogramming languages-" the symbol88 means becomes. t does not mean e5ual. 2o i i J 1 means i becomes i J 1. n other words: take the

!resent 0alue o% i and add 1 to it. ;or exam!le" i% i 1" i becomes 1 J 1 #. As a result" the 0alue #9 will be!laced into column A %i0e times ,not six because Excel VBA sto!s when i e5uals -.

#. Enter some numbers in column A.


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&. ?lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code lines:

im i As ntegeri 1

o While Cells,i" 1-.Value IH Cells,i" #-.Value Cells,i" 1-.Value J 19 i i J 1)oo!


Ex!lanation: as long as Cells,i" 1-.Value is not em!ty ,IH means not e5ual to-" Excel VBA enters the 0alueinto the cell at the intersection o% row i and column #" that is 19 higher than the 0alue in the cell at theintersection o% row i and column 1. Excel VBA sto!s when i e5uals 4 because Cells,4" 1-.Value is em!ty.$his is a great way to loo! through any number o% rows on a worksheet.

9 Macro Errors: This chapter teaches you ho- todeal -ith macro errors in Excel!

$his cha!ter teaches you how to deal with macro errorsin Excel. ;irst" let8s create some errors.


x #+ange,A1-.Valu x

1. Click the command button on the sheet.

+esult:
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/macro-errors.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/macro-errors.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-button


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#. Click '=.

Ad0ertisement

$he 0ariable x is not de%ined. Because we are using the '!tion Ex!licitstatement at the start o% ourcode" we ha0e to declare all our 0ariables. Excel VBA has colored the x blue to indicate the error.

&. n the Visual Basic Editor" click +eset to sto! the debugger.

*. Correct the error by adding the %ollowing code line at the start o% the code.

im x As nteger

>ou may ha0e heard o% the techni5ue called debugging be%ore. With this techni5ue you can ste! throughyour code.

. n the Visual Basic Editor" !lace your cursor be%ore ?ri0ate and !ress ;6.

$he %irst line turns yellow.
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. ?ress ;6 three more times.

$he %ollowing error a!!ears.

$he +ange ob(ect has a !ro!erty called Value. Value isn8t s!elled correctly here. ebugging is a great way tonot only %ind errors" but also understand code better. 'ur ebuggingexam!le !rogram shows you how tosingle ste! through your code and see the e%%ect o% each code line on your worksheet.

0tring Manipulation: 4n this chapter, you;ll ind the

most important unctions to manipulate strings in

Excel VBA!

n this cha!ter" you8ll %ind the most im!ortant %unctions to manipulate stringsin Excel VBA.



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im text1 As 2tring" text# As 2tringtext1 Fitext# $im

MsgBox text1 D D text#Ad0ertisement

+esult:

ote: to insert a s!ace" use

'et

$o extract the le%tmost characters %rom a string" use )e%t.

Code:

im text As 2tringtext exam!le text

MsgBox )e%t,text" *-

+esult:

+ight

$o extract the rightmost characters %rom a string" use +ight. We can also directly insert text in a %unction.

Code:

MsgBox +ight,exam!le text" #-

+esult:


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Mid

$o extract a substring" starting in the middle o% a string" use Mid.

Code:

MsgBox Mid,exam!le text" 7" #-

+esult:

ote: started at !osition 7 ,t- with length #. >ou can omit the third argument i% you want to extract asubstring starting in the middle o% a string" until the end o% the string.

'en

$o get the length o% a string" use )en.

Code:

MsgBox )en,exam!le text-

+esult:

ote: s!ace ,!osition 6- included

4nstr


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$o %ind the !osition o% a substring in a string" use nstr.

Code:

MsgBox nstr,exam!le text" am-

+esult:

ote: string am %ound at !osition &.

=> Date and Time: 'earn ho- to -or$ -ith dates and times

in Excel VBA!


?ear, Month, Day o a Date

$he %ollowing macro gets the year o% a date. $o declare a date" use the im statement. $o initiali/e a date"use the ateValue %unction.

Code:

im exam!leate As ate

exam!leate ateValue,Kun 17" #919-

MsgBox >ear,exam!leate-Ad0ertisement

+esult:

ote: 3se Month and ay to get the month and day o% a date.

DateAdd
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$o add a number o% days to a date" use the ateAdd %unction. $he ateAdd %unction has three arguments.;ill in d %or the %irst argument to add days. ;ill in & %or the second argument to add & days. $he thirdargument re!resents the date to which the number o% days will be added.

Code:

im %irstate As ate" secondate As ate

%irstate ateValue,Kun 17" #919-secondate ateAdd,d" &" %irstate-

MsgBox secondate

+esult:

ote: Change d to m to add a number o% months to a date. ?lace your cursor on ateAdd in the VisualBasic Editor and click ;1 %or hel! on the other inter0al s!eci%iers. ates are in 32 ;ormat. Months %irst"ays second. $his ty!e o% %ormat de!ends on your windows regional settings.

Current Date and Time

$o get the current date and time" use the ow %unction.

Code:

MsgBox ow

+esult:

(our, Minute, 0econd

$he get the hour o% a time" use the Four %unction.

Code:

MsgBox Four,ow-


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+esult:

ote: 3se Minute and 2econd to get the minute and second o% a time.

TimeValue

$he $imeValue %unction con0erts a string to a time serial number. $he time8s serial number is a numberbetween 9 and 1. ;or exam!le" noon ,hal%way through the day- is re!resented as 9..

Code:

MsgBox $imeValue,7:#9:91 am-

+esult:

ow" to clearly see that Excel handles times internally as numbers between 9 and 1" add the %ollowing codelines:

im y As oubley $imeValue,97:#9:91-MsgBox y

+esult:


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== Events: Events are actions perormed by users -hich

trigger Excel VBA to execute code!

Eventsare actions !er%ormed by users which trigger Excel VBAto execute code.

#or$boo$ %pen Event

Code added to the Workbook '!en E0ent will be executed by Excel VBA when you o!en the workbook.

1. '!en the Visual Basic Editor.

#. ouble click on $his Workbook in the ?ro(ect Ex!lorer.

Ad0ertisement

&. Choose Workbook %rom the le%t dro!Gdown list. Choose '!en %rom the right dro!Gdown list.

*. Add the %ollowing code line to the Workbook '!en E0ent:

MsgBox Lood Morning

. 2a0e" close and reo!en the Excel %ile.

+esult:

#or$sheet Change Event
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Code added to the Worksheet Change E0ent will be executed by Excel VBA when you change a cell on aworksheet.


#. ouble click on a sheet ,%or exam!le 2heet1- in the ?ro(ect Ex!lorer.

&. Choose Worksheet %rom the le%t dro!Gdown list. Choose Change %rom the right dro!Gdown list.

Add the %ollowing code lines to the Worksheet Change E0ent:

*. $he Worksheet Change E0ent listens to all changes on 2heet1. We only want Excel VBA to do somethingi% something changes in cell B#. $o achie0e this" add the %ollowing code lines:

% $arget.Address B# $hen

End %

. We only want Excel VBA to show a MsgBox i% the user enters a 0alue greater than 69. $o achie0e this"add the %ollowing code line between % and End %.

% $arget.Value H 69 $hen MsgBox Loal Com!leted

. 'n 2heet1" enter a number greater than 69 into cell B#.

+esult:
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=2 Array: An array is a group o variables! 4n Excel VBA,

you can reer to a speciic variable .element/ o an array by

using the array name and the index number!

An arrayis a grou! o% 0ariables. n Excel VBA" you can re%er to a s!eci%ic 0ariable ,element- o% an array byusing the array name and the index number.

%ne@dimensional Array

$o create a oneGdimensional array" execute the %ollowing ste!s.


im ;ilms,1 $o - As 2tring

;ilms,1- )ord o% the +ings;ilms,#- 2!eed;ilms,&- 2tar Wars;ilms,*- $he Lod%ather;ilms,- ?ul! ;iction

MsgBox ;ilms,*-Ad0ertisement


Ex!lanation: the %irst code line declares a 2tring array with name ;ilms. $he array consists o% %i0e elements.ext" we initiali/e each element o% the array. ;inally" we dis!lay the %ourth element using a MsgBox.

T-o@dimensional Array

$o create a twoGdimensional array" execute the %ollowing ste!s. $his time we are going to read the names%rom the sheet.
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/array.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/array.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-button


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im ;ilms,1 $o " 1 $o #- As 2tringim i As nteger" ( As nteger

;or i 1 $o ;or ( 1 $o #

;ilms,i" (- Cells,i" (-.Value ext (

ext i

MsgBox ;ilms,*" #-


Ex!lanation: the %irst code line declares a 2tring array with name ;ilms. $he array has two dimensions. tconsists o% rows and # columns. $i!: rows go %irst" then columns. $he other two 0ariables o% ty!e ntegerare used %or the ouble )oo!to initiali/e each element o% the array. ;inally" we dis!lay the element at theintersection o% row * and column #.

=" unction and 0ub: 4n Excel VBA, a unction can return a

value -hile a sub cannot!

$he di%%erence between a unctionand a subin Excel VBAis that a %unction can return a 0alue while a subcannot. ;unctions and subs become 0ery use%ul as !rogram si/e increases.

unction

% you want Excel VBA to !er%orm a task that returns a result" you can use a %unction. ?lace a %unction into amodule ,n the Visual Basic Editor" click nsert" Module-. ;or exam!le" the %unction with name Area.

;unction Area,x As ouble" y As ouble- As ouble
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Area x N y

End ;unctionAd0ertisement

Ex!lanation: $his %unction has two arguments ,o% ty!e ouble- and a return ty!e ,the !art a%ter Asalso o% ty!e ouble-. >ou can use the name o% the %unction ,Area- in your code to indicate which result youwant to return ,here x N y-.

>ou can now re%er to this %unction ,in other words call the %unction- %rom somewhere else in your code bysim!ly using the name o% the %unction and gi0ing a 0alue %or each argument.


im / As ouble

/ Area,&" - J #

MsgBox /

Ex!lanation: $he %unction returns a 0alue so you ha0e to 8catch8 this 0alue in your code. >ou can use another0ariable ,/- %or this. ext" you can add another 0alue to this 0ariable ,i% you want-. ;inally" dis!lay the 0alueusing a MsgBox.


0ub

% you want Excel VBA to !er%orm some actions" you can use a sub. ?lace a sub into a module ,n the VisualBasic Editor" click nsert" Module-. ;or exam!le" the sub with name Area.

2ub Area,x As ouble" y As ouble-

MsgBox x N y

End 2ub

Ex!lanation: $his sub has two arguments ,o% ty!e ouble-. t does not ha0e a return ty!e >ou can re%er tothis sub ,call the sub- %rom somewhere else in your code by sim!ly using the name o% the sub and gi0ing a0alue %or each argument.

?lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code line:

Area &"

http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-button


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Can you see the di%%erence between the %unction and the subO $he %unction returned the 0alue 1. We addedthe 0alue # to this result and dis!layed the %inal result. When we called the sub we had no more control o0erthe result ,1- because a sub cannot return a 0alue

=* Application %b&ect: The mother o all ob&ects is Excel itsel! #e

call it the Application ob&ect! The application ob&ect gives access to

a lot o Excel related options!

$he mother o% all ob(ects is Excel itsel%. We call it the Application ob&ect. $he a!!lication ob(ect gi0esaccess to a lot o% Excel related o!tions.

#or$sheetunction

>ou can use the Worksheet;unction !ro!erty in Excel VBAto access Excel %unctions.

1. ;or exam!le" !lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code line:

+ange,A&-.Value A!!lication.Worksheet;unction.A0erage,+ange,A1:A#--Ad0ertisement

When you click the command button on the worksheet" Excel VBA calculates the a0erage o% the0alues in cell A1 and cell A# and !laces the result into cell A&.

ote: instead o% A!!lication.Worksheet;unction.A0erage" sim!ly use Worksheet;unction.A0erage. % youlook at the %ormula bar" you can see that the %ormula itsel% is not inserted into cell A&. $o insert the %ormulaitsel% into cell A&" use the %ollowing code line:

+ange,A&-.Value AVE+ALE,A1:A#-

0creen6pdating

2ometimes you may %ind it use%ul to disable screen u!dating ,to a0oid %lickering- while executing code. As aresult" your code will run %aster.

1. ;or exam!le" !lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code lines:
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/application-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/application-object.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-buttonhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#command-button


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im i As nteger

;or i 1 $o 19999 +ange,A1-.Value i

ext i

When you click the command button on the worksheet" Excel VBA dis!lays each 0alue a tiny %raction o% asecond and this can take some time.

#. $o s!eed u! the !rocess" u!date the code as %ollows.

im i As nteger

A!!lication.2creen3!dating ;alse

;or i 1 $o 19999 +ange,A1-.Value i

ext i

A!!lication.2creen3!dating $rue

As a result" your code will run much %aster and you will only see the end result ,19999-.

DisplayAlerts

>ou can instruct Excel VBA not to dis!lay alerts while executing code.


Acti0eWorkbook.Close

When you click the command button on the worksheet" Excel VBA closes your Excel %ile and asks you tosa0e the changes you made.

#. $o instruct Excel VBA not to dis!lay this alert while executing code" u!date the code as %ollows.

A!!lication.is!layAlerts ;alse

Acti0eWorkbook.Close

A!!lication.is!layAlerts $rue
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As a result" Excel VBA closes your Excel %ile" without asking you to sa0e the changes you made. Anychanges are lost.

Calculation

By de%ault" calculation is set to automatic. As a result" Excel recalculates the workbook automatically eachtime a 0alue a%%ecting a %ormula changes. % your workbook contains many com!lex %ormulas" you can s!eedu! your macro by setting calculation to manual.


A!!lication.Calculation xlCalculationManual

When you click the command button on the worksheet" Excel VBA sets calculation to manual.

#. >ou can 0eri%y this by clicking on ;ile" '!tions" ;ormulas.

&. ow when you change the 0alue o% cell A1" the 0alue o% cell B1 is not recalculated.
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>ou can manually recalculate the workbook by !ressing ;7.

*. n most situations" you will set calculation to automatic again at the end o% your code. 2im!ly add the%ollowing code line to achie0e this.

A!!lication.Calculation xlCalculationAutomatic

= Active Controls: 'earn ho- to create Active controls

such as command buttons, text boxes, list boxes etc!

)earn how to create Active controlssuch as command buttons" text boxes" list boxes etc. $o create anActi0e< control in Excel VBA" execute the %ollowing ste!s.

1. 'n the e0elo!er tab" click nsert.

#. ;or exam!le" in the Acti0e< Controls grou!" click Command Button to insert a command button control.

Ad0ertisement

&. rag a command button on your worksheet.

*. +ight click the command button ,make sure esign Mode is selected-.

. Click View Code.
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ote: you can change the ca!tion and name o% a control by right clicking on the control ,make sure esignMode is selected- and then clicking on ?ro!erties. Change the ca!tion o% the command button to 8A!!lyBlue $ext Color8. ;or now" we will lea0e CommandButton1 as the name o% the command button.


. Add the code line shown below between ?ri0ate 2ub CommandButton1@Click,- and End 2ub.

4. 2elect the range B#:B* and click the command button ,make sure esign Mode is deselected-.

+esult:


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=5 6serorm: This chapter teaches you ho- to create an

Excel VBA 6serorm!

$his cha!ter teaches you how to create an Excel VBA 6serorm. $he 3ser%orm we are going to create looksas %ollows:

Ad0ertisement

Add the Controls

$o add the controls to the 3ser%orm" execute the %ollowing ste!s.

1. '!en the Visual Basic Editor. % the ?ro(ect Ex!lorer is not 0isible" click View" ?ro(ect Ex!lorer.

#. Click nsert" 3ser%orm. % the $oolbox does not a!!ear automatically" click View" $oolbox. >our screenshould be set u! as below.
http://www.excel-easy.com/vba/userform.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#visual-basic-editorhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/userform.htmlhttp://www.excel-easy.com/vba/create-a-macro.html#visual-basic-editor


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&. Add the controls listed in the table below. 'nce this has been com!leted" the result should be consistentwith the !icture o% the 3ser%orm shown earlier. ;or exam!le" create a text box control by clicking on$extBox %rom the $oolbox. ext" you can drag a text box on the 3ser%orm. When you arri0e at the Car%rame" remember to draw this %rame %irst be%ore you !lace the two o!tion buttons in it.

*. Change the names and ca!tions o% the controls according to the table below. ames are used in the ExcelVBA code. Ca!tions are those that a!!ear on your screen. t is good !ractice to change the names o%controls. $his will make your code easier to read. $o change the names and ca!tions o% the controls" clickView" ?ro!erties Window and click on each control.

Control ame Caption

3ser%orm inner?lanner3ser;orm inner ?lanner

$ext Box ame$extBox

$ext Box ?hone$extBox

)ist Box City)istBox

Combo Box innerComboBox

Check Box ateCheckBox1 Kune 1&th

Check Box ateCheckBox# Kune #9th

Check Box ateCheckBox& Kune #4th

;rame Car;rame Car

'!tion Button Car'!tionButton1 >es

'!tion Button Car'!tionButton# o$ext Box Money$extBox

2!in Button Money2!inButton


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Command Button '=Button '=

Command Button ClearButton Clear

Command Button CancelButton Cancel

4 )abels o need to change ame:" ?hone umber:" etc.

ote: a combo box is a dro!Gdown list %rom where a user can select an item or %ill in hisPher own choice.'nly one o% the o!tion buttons can be selected.

0ho- the 6serorm

$o show the 3ser%orm" !lace a command buttonon your worksheet and add the %ollowing code line:

?ri0ate 2ub CommandButton1@Click,-

inner?lanner3ser;orm.2how

End 2ub

We are now going to create the 2ub 3ser;orm@nitiali/e. When you use the 2how method %or the 3ser%orm"this sub will automatically be executed.


#. n the ?ro(ect Ex!lorer" right click on inner?lanner3ser;orm and then click View Code.

&. Choose 3ser%orm %rom the le%t dro!Gdown list. Choose nitiali/e %rom the right dro!Gdown list.

*. Add the %ollowing code lines:

?ri0ate 2ub 3ser;orm@nitiali/e,-

8Em!ty ame$extBoxame$extBox.Value

8Em!ty ?hone$extBox?hone$extBox.Value

8Em!ty City)istBoxCity)istBox.Clear

8;ill City)istBoxWith City)istBox .Addtem 2an ;rancisco .Addtem 'akland .Addtem +ichmondEnd With

8Em!ty innerComboBox

innerComboBox.Clear

8;ill innerComboBoxWith innerComboBox .Addtem talian
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.Addtem Chinese .Addtem ;rites and MeatEnd With

83ncheck ataCheckBoxesateCheckBox1.Value ;alseateCheckBox#.Value ;alseateCheckBox&.Value ;alse

82et no car as de%aultCar'!tionButton#.Value $rue

8Em!ty Money$extBoxMoney$extBox.Value

82et ;ocus on ame$extBoxame$extBox.2et;ocus

End 2ub

Ex!lanation: text boxes are em!tied" list boxes and combo boxes are %illed" check boxes are unchecked" etc.

Ad0ertisement

Assign the Macros

We ha0e now created the %irst !art o% the 3ser%orm. Although it looks neat already" nothing will ha!!en yetwhen we click the command buttons on the 3ser%orm.


#. n the ?ro(ect Ex!lorer" double click on inner?lanner3ser;orm.

&. ouble click on the Money s!in button.

*. Add the %ollowing code line:

?ri0ate 2ub Money2!inButton@Change,-

Money$extBox.$ext Money2!inButton.Value

End 2ub

Ex!lanation: this code line u!dates the text box when you use the s!in button.

. ouble click on the '= button.

. Add the %ollowing code lines:

?ri0ate 2ub '=Button@Click,-

im em!ty+ow As )ong

8Make 2heet1 acti0e2heet1.Acti0ate
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8etermine em!ty+owem!ty+ow Worksheet;unction.CountA,+ange,A:A-- J 1

8$rans%er in%ormationCells,em!ty+ow" 1-.Value ame$extBox.ValueCells,em!ty+ow" #-.Value ?hone$extBox.ValueCells,em!ty+ow" &-.Value City)istBox.ValueCells,em!ty+ow" *-.Value innerComboBox.Value

% ateCheckBox1.Value $rue $hen Cells,em!ty+ow" -.Value ateCheckBox1.Ca!tion

% ateCheckBox#.Value $rue $hen Cells,em!ty+ow" -.Value Cells,em!ty+ow" -.Value D DateCheckBox#.Ca!tion

% ateCheckBox&.Value $rue $hen Cells,em!ty+ow" -.Value Cells,em!ty+ow" -.Value D DateCheckBox&.Ca!tion

% Car'!tionButton1.Value $rue $hen Cells,em!ty+ow" -.Value >esElse Cells,em!ty+ow" -.Value oEnd %

Cells,em!ty+ow" 4-.Value Money$extBox.Value

End 2ub

Ex!lanation: %irst" we acti0ate 2heet1. ext" we determine em!ty+ow. $he 0ariable em!ty+ow is the %irst

em!ty row and increases e0ery time a record is added. ;inally" we trans%er the in%ormation %rom the3ser%orm to the s!eci%ic columns o% em!ty+ow.

4. ouble click on the Clear button.

6. Add the %ollowing code line:

?ri0ate 2ub ClearButton@Click,-

Call 3ser;orm@nitiali/e

End 2ub

Ex!lanation: this code line calls the 2ub 3ser;orm@nitiali/e when you click on the Clear button.

7. ouble click on the Cancel Button.

19. Add the %ollowing code line:

?ri0ate 2ub CancelButton@Click,-

3nload Me

End 2ub

Ex!lanation: this code line closes the 3ser%orm when you click on the Cancel button.


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1 create a macro

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