Excel VBA Intermediate
Storing information with Variables
Let’s dive into the world of Excel VBA variables.
Variables in VBA
Variables are used to store data that your VBA code can manipulate. Think of them as containers that hold information
which can be referenced and manipulated throughout your code.
Declaring Variables
Why declare variables?
Improves Code Readability: Declaring variables makes your code easier
to read and understand.
Error Checking: VBA can catch errors related to undeclared variables.
Memory Management: Helps manage memory usage efficiently.
How to declare variables?
Use the Dim statement:
Dim variableName As DataType
Example:
Dim total As Integer
Dim name As String
Determining Data Types
Choosing the right data type is crucial for efficient memory usage and performance. Here are some common data types:
Integer: Whole numbers.
Long: Larger whole numbers.
Double: Numbers with decimals.
String: Text.
Boolean: True or False.
Example:
Dim age As Integer
Dim salary As Double
Dim isActive As Boolean
Public vs Private Scope
Scope determines where a variable can be accessed from.
Procedure-Level (Local) Variables: Declared within a procedure using Dim. Accessible only within that procedure.
Module-Level (Private) Variables: Declared at the top of a module using Private. Accessible to all procedures within that
module.
Public Variables: Declared at the top of a module using Public. Accessible from any module in the project.
Example:
Private moduleVariable As Integer
Public globalVariable As String
Sub ExampleProcedure()
Dim localVariable As Double
End Sub
Excel VBA Intermediate
Assigning a Value to a Variable
After declaring a variable, you can assign a value to it using the assignment
operator =.
variableName = value
Examples
Example 1: Storing a Number
Sub StoreNumber()
Dim age As Integer
age = 25
MsgBox "Age: " & age
End Sub
In this example, the variable age is declared as an Integer and assigned the value 25. The MsgBox function then displays
the value of age.
Example 2: Storing Text
Sub StoreText()
Dim name As String
name = "Alice"
MsgBox "Name: " & name
End Sub
Here, the variable name is declared as a String and assigned the value "Alice". The MsgBox function displays the value
of name.
Example 3: Storing a Calculation Result
Sub StoreCalculation()
Dim price As Double
Dim quantity As Integer
Dim total As Double
price = 19.99
quantity = 5
total = price * quantity
MsgBox "Total cost: " & total
End Sub
In this example, price and total are declared as Double, and quantity is declared as an Integer. The total cost is calculated
by multiplying price and quantity, and the result is stored in the total variable.
Example 4: Storing a Boolean Value
Sub StoreBoolean()
Dim isActive As Boolean
isActive = True
MsgBox "Is Active: " & isActive
End Sub
Here, the variable isActive is declared as a Boolean and assigned the value True. The MsgBox function displays the
value of isActive.
How do I sort in Excel VBA?
Excel VBA Intermediate
Using Variables in Conditions
Variables can also be used in conditions to control the flow of your program.
Example 5: Using Variables in an If Statement
Sub CheckAge()
Dim age As Integer
age = 18
If age >= 18 Then
MsgBox "You are an adult."
Else
MsgBox "You are a minor."
End If
End Sub
Using Variables to Trap Errors
You can use variables to store error information and handle errors gracefully.
Example:
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
Dim result As Double
result = 10 / 0 ' This will cause a division by zero error
Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
Dim errorMessage As String
errorMessage = "An error occurred: " & Err.Description
MsgBox errorMessage
End Sub
Using the Locals Window
The Locals Window in the VBA editor allows you to observe the values of variables while debugging.
Set a breakpoint in your code by clicking in the margin next to a line of code.
Run your code. When it hits the breakpoint, the Locals Window will display the current values of all variables in the current
scope.
More variable examples
Example 1: Simple Calculation Example 3: Error Handling
Sub CalculateTotal() Sub SafeDivision()
Dim price As Double On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
Dim quantity As Integer Dim numerator As Double
Dim total As Double Dim denominator As Double
Dim result As Double
price = 19.99
quantity = 5 numerator = 10
total = price * quantity denominator = 0
result = numerator / denominator
MsgBox "Total cost: " & total
End Sub MsgBox "Result: " & result
Exit Sub
Example 2: Using Public Variables
ErrorHandler:
Public counter As Integer MsgBox "Error: Division by zero!"
End Sube tasks in Excel.
Sub IncrementCounter()
counter = counter + 1
MsgBox "Counter: " & counter
End Sub
Excel VBA Intermediate
Creating functions
Creating your own functions in Excel VBA can greatly enhance your productivity by allowing you to perform custom
calculations and operations. Let’s go through the process of creating User Defined Functions (UDFs) with multiple examples.
Writing Your Own User Defined Functions (UDFs)
A UDF is a custom function that you can create using VBA. These functions can be used in Excel just like built-in functions.
Basic Structure of a UDF
To create a UDF, you need to define a function using the Function keyword, followed by the function name, any arguments,
and the data type of the return value.
Function FunctionName(arguments) As DataType
' Function code
FunctionName = result
End Function
Example 1: Simple Addition Function
Function AddNumbers(x As Double, y As Double) As Double
AddNumbers = x + y
End Function
You can use this function in Excel by typing =AddNumbers(5, 10) in a cell, which will return 15.
Working with Multiple Arguments
You can create functions that take multiple arguments to perform more complex calculations.
Example 2: Calculating the Area of a Rectangle
Function RectangleArea(length As Double, width As Double) As Double
RectangleArea = length * width
End Function
Use this function in Excel by typing =RectangleArea(5, 10) to get the area of a rectangle with length 5 and width 10.
Example 3: Calculating the Average of Three Numbers
Function AverageThreeNumbers(a As Double, b As Double, c As Double) As Double
AverageThreeNumbers = (a + b + c) / 3
End Function
Use this function in Excel by typing =AverageThreeNumbers(5, 10, 15) to get the average of the three numbers.
Using Your Function in Excel
Once you’ve created a UDF, you can use it in Excel just like any other function. Here’s how you can do it:
Open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor by pressing Alt + F11.
Insert a new module by clicking Insert > Module.
Copy and paste your function code into the module.
Close the VBA editor.
Use your function in Excel by typing =FunctionName(arguments) in a cell.
Advanced Examples
Example 4: Calculating Compound Interest
Function CompoundInterest(principal As Double, rate As Double, periods As Integer) As Double
CompoundInterest = principal * (1 + rate) ^ periods
End Function
Use this function in Excel by typing =CompoundInterest(1000, 0.05, 10) to calculate the compound interest on a principal of
1000 at a 5% interest rate over 10 periods.
Creating UDFs can significantly extend the capabilities of Excel, allowing you to perform custom calculations tailored to your
specific needs.
Excel VBA Intermediate
Message Boxes and Input Boxes
Let’s go through some examples of how to create Message Boxes and Input Boxes in Excel VBA.
1. Displaying a Message
To display a simple message box, you can use the MsgBox function. Here’s an example:
Sub DisplayMessage()
MsgBox "Hello, this is a simple message box!"
End Sub
2. Adding a Yes/No User Choice
To create a message box with Yes and No buttons, you can use the vbYesNo constant. You can also capture the user’s
response:
Sub YesNoMessageBox()
Dim response As VbMsgBoxResult
response = MsgBox("Do you want to continue?", vbYesNo, "Yes/No Example")
If response = vbYes Then
MsgBox "You chose Yes!"
Else
MsgBox "You chose No!"
End If
End Sub
3. Getting Feedback from the End User
To get input from the user, you can use the InputBox function. Here’s an
example:
Sub GetUserInput()
Dim userInput As String
userInput = InputBox("Please enter your name:", "User Input")
If userInput <> "" Then
MsgBox "Hello, " & userInput & "!"
Else
MsgBox "You didn't enter anything."
End If
End Sub
These examples should help you get started with creating Message Boxes and Input Boxes in Excel VBA.
Handling Errors
let’s look at handling errors in Excel VBA with some examples!
Defining VBA’s Error Trapping Options
VBA provides three main error trapping options:
On Error GoTo 0: Disables any error handling in the current procedure.
On Error Resume Next: Continues execution with the next line of code after an error occurs.
On Error GoTo [label]: Transfers control to a specified line label when an error occurs.
Capturing Errors with the On Error Statement
The On Error statement is used to define how VBA should handle errors. Here are the three main forms:
On Error GoTo 0: This is the default setting. It stops code execution and displays an error message.
On Error Resume Next: This tells VBA to ignore the error and continue with the next line of code.
On Error GoTo [label]: This directs VBA to jump to a specific line label when an error occurs.
Excel VBA Intermediate
Example:
Sub ExampleOnError()
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
Dim x As Integer
x = 1 / 0 ' This will cause a division by zero error
Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
MsgBox "An error occurred: " & Err.Description
End Sub
Determining the Err Object
The Err object contains information about the error that occurred. Key properties include:
Err.Number: The error number.
Err.Description: A description of the error.
Err.Source: The name of the object or application that caused the error.
Example:
Sub ExampleErrObject()
On Error Resume Next
Dim x As Integer
x=1/0
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
MsgBox "Error " & Err.Number & ": " & Err.Description
Err.Clear ' Clear the error
End If
End Sub
Coding an Error-Handling Routine
An error-handling routine is a section of code that executes when an error occurs. It typically includes:
Error handling code: To manage the error.
Cleanup code: To release resources or reset states.
Resume statement: To continue execution after handling the error.
Example:
Sub ExampleErrorHandlingRoutine()
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
' Code that may cause an error
Dim x As Integer
x=1/0
Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
MsgBox "An error occurred: " & Err.Description
' Cleanup code
Resume Next ' Continue with the next line of code
End Sub
Using Inline Error Handling
Inline error handling allows you to handle errors directly where they occur, rather than jumping to a separate error handler.
Example:
Sub ExampleInlineErrorHandling()
On Error Resume Next
Dim x As Integer
x=1/0
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
MsgBox "Error handled inline: " & Err.Description
Err.Clear
End If
On Error GoTo 0 ' Reset error handling
End Sub
Excel VBA Intermediate
Creating custom dialogue boxes with UserForms
Creating custom dialogue boxes with UserForms in Excel VBA can greatly enhance the interactivity of your spreadsheets.
Let’s go through each step with examples:
1. Drawing UserForms
To create a UserForm:
Open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor by pressing Alt + F11.
Insert a new UserForm by selecting Insert > UserForm.
2. Setting UserForm Properties, Events, and Methods
You can set properties such as the form’s name, caption, and size in the Properties window. For example:
Name: MyUserForm
Caption: Custom Dialog
To handle events like initializing the form, you can use the code window:
Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
Me.Caption = "Welcome to My Custom Dialog"
End Sub
3. Using Text Boxes, Command Buttons, Combo Boxes, and Other Controls
You can add controls by selecting them from the Toolbox and drawing them
on the UserForm.
For example:
TextBox: For user input.
CommandButton: To trigger actions.
ComboBox: For dropdown selections.
4. Formatting Controls
You can format controls by setting their properties. For example, to set the
text box properties:
Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
Me.TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name"
Me.TextBox1.Font.Size = 12
Me.TextBox1.Font.Bold = True
End Sub
5. Applying Code to Controls
You can write VBA code to handle events for controls. For example, to handle
a button click:
Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
MsgBox "Hello, " & Me.TextBox1.Text
End Sub
6. How to Launch a Form in Code
To show the UserForm, you can use the following code in a module:
Sub ShowMyUserForm()
MyUserForm.Show
End Sub
Excel VBA Intermediate
Example 1 Example 2
Here’s a complete example that ties everything together: Let’s create a more advanced UserForm example that includes
multiple controls, validation, and dynamic updates.
Create a UserForm named MyUserForm. We’ll create a form for user registration with fields for name,
Add a TextBox (TextBox1) and a CommandButton email, and age, and a submit button that validates the input
(CommandButton1). and displays a summary.
Set the properties and write the following code:
Private Sub UserForm_Initialize() Step-by-Step Advanced Example
Me.Caption = "Welcome to My Custom Dialog"
Me.TextBox1.Text = "Enter your name" 1. Drawing the UserForm
Me.TextBox1.Font.Size = 12 Open the VBA editor (Alt + F11).
Me.TextBox1.Font.Bold = True Insert a new UserForm (Insert > UserForm).
End Sub Name the UserForm UserFormRegistration.
Private Sub CommandButton1_Click() 2. Adding Controls
MsgBox "Hello, " & Me.TextBox1.Text Add the following controls to the UserForm:
End Sub
Labels: For “Name”, “Email”, and “Age”.
In a module, add the code to show the form: TextBoxes: For user input (TextBoxName, TextBoxEmail, TextBoxAge).
Sub ShowMyUserForm() CommandButton: For submission (CommandButtonSubmit).
MyUserForm.Show
End Sub 3. Setting Properties
Set properties for better user experience:
Run ShowMyUserForm to display your custom
dialog box. UserForm: Caption = "User Registration"
TextBoxName: Name = "TextBoxName"
TextBoxEmail: Name = "TextBoxEmail"
TextBoxAge: Name = "TextBoxAge"
CommandButtonSubmit: Caption = "Submit",
Name = "CommandButtonSubmit"
4. Writing Code for Initialization
Initialize the form with default values and formatting:
Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
Me.Caption = "User Registration"
Me.TextBoxName.Text = ""
Me.TextBoxEmail.Text = ""
Me.TextBoxAge.Text = ""
End Sub
5. Adding Validation and Submission Code
Validate user input and display a summary:
Private Sub CommandButtonSubmit_Click()
Dim userName As String
Dim userEmail As String
Dim userAge As Integer
How to: Excel VBA clear clipboard userName = Me.TextBoxName.Text
userEmail = Me.TextBoxEmail.Text
Excel VBA Uppercase, Lowercase and more
' Validate Name
If userName = "" Then
MsgBox "Please enter your name.", vbExclamation
Exit Sub
End If
.
Excel VBA Intermediate
' Validate Email ' Validate Email
If userEmail = "" Or InStr(1, userEmail, "@") = 0 Then If userEmail = "" Or InStr(1, userEmail, "@") = 0 Then
MsgBox "Please enter a valid email address.", vbExclamation MsgBox "Please enter a valid email address.", vbExclamation
Exit Sub Exit Sub
End If End If
' Validate Age ' Validate Age
If IsNumeric(Me.TextBoxAge.Text) Then If IsNumeric(Me.TextBoxAge.Text) Then
userAge = CInt(Me.TextBoxAge.Text) userAge = CInt(Me.TextBoxAge.Text)
If userAge <= 0 Or userAge > 120 Then If userAge <= 0 Or userAge > 120 Then
MsgBox "Please enter a valid age.", vbExclamation MsgBox "Please enter a valid age.", vbExclamation
Exit Sub Exit Sub
End If End If
Else Else
MsgBox "Please enter a numeric age.", vbExclamation MsgBox "Please enter a numeric age.", vbExclamation
Exit Sub Exit Sub
End If End If
' Display Summary ' Display Summary
MsgBox "Registration Successful!" & vbCrLf & _ MsgBox "Registration Successful!" & vbCrLf & _
"Name: " & userName & vbCrLf & _ "Name: " & userName & vbCrLf & _
"Email: " & userEmail & vbCrLf & _ "Email: " & userEmail & vbCrLf & _
"Age: " & userAge, vbInformation "Age: " & userAge, vbInformation
End Sub End Sub
6. Launching the UserForm Module Code:
Add a module to launch the UserForm:
Sub ShowUserFormRegistration()
Sub ShowUserFormRegistration() UserFormRegistration.Show
UserFormRegistration.Show End Sub
End Sub
This example demonstrates how to create a more complex
Complete Example UserForm with multiple controls, input validation, and dynamic
Here’s the complete code for the UserForm and module: updates
UserForm Code:
Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
Me.Caption = "User Registration"
Me.TextBoxName.Text = ""
Me.TextBoxEmail.Text = ""
Me.TextBoxAge.Text = ""
End Sub Ask questions on our
Private Sub CommandButtonSubmit_Click() post course learning
Dim userName As String
Dim userEmail As String support forum
Dim userAge As Integer
Log in using your email
userName = Me.TextBoxName.Text
userEmail = Me.TextBoxEmail.Text and your post course
' Validate Name email when you
If userName = "" Then
MsgBox "Please enter your name.", vbExclamation completed the feedback
Exit Sub
End If
