Microsoft Excel 2000 Samples File

Table of Contents

Worksheet Functions
Sample formulas to complete common worksheet tasks.

Conditional Formatting
Demonstrates how to change the formatting (I.e. font, cell color)
applied to a cell depending on the current value of the cell.

Data Validation
Shows how to set up restrictions for the values that can be entered
into a cell.

Chart Labeling
A macro to automate the labeling of an XY-Scatter chart.

Repeating Tasks
Sample looping macro code and an explanation of how to modify
recorded code to repeat tasks on a range of cells or a selected
range.

Microsoft provides examples of Visual Basic for Applications procedures for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not
limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. The Visual Basic procedures in this workbook are provided 'as is'
and Microsoft does not guarantee that they can be used in all situations. While Microsoft Technical Support Engineers can help explain the functionality of a
particular macro, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality, nor will they help you construct macros to meet your specific needs. If
you have limited programming experience, you may want to consult one of the Microsoft Solution Providers.
el 2000 Samples File
able of Contents

Arrays
Macro code to demonstrate how to transfer array contents to a
worksheet.

API (Application Programming Interface) Examples

How to implement the use of API calls from within Microsoft Excel's
programming environment.

Events
Examples to demonstrate how some events can trigger macro
code to run.

Automation
Sample macro code to demonstrate how Microsoft Excel can
automate other Microsoft Office applications.

ADO - ActiveX Data Objects

Examples that illustrate common database tasks via code

s for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not
particular purpose. The Visual Basic procedures in this workbook are provided 'as is'
. While Microsoft Technical Support Engineers can help explain the functionality of a
functionality, nor will they help you construct macros to meet your specific needs. If
may want to consult one of the Microsoft Solution Providers.
Worksheet Functions Examples
This worksheet contains sample formulas you can use to complete common spreadsheet tasks.
Cells containing formulas are blue. To view a sample formula, hover your mouse cursor over
the cell to display the comment. Or, press CTRL+` to switch between displaying values and
displaying formulas on the worksheet. For more information about a worksheet function, select
the cell containing the function, then click the Edit Formula (=) button on the Formula bar.

Suppressing the Display of Error Values

It is common for worksheet formulas to return an error value (#DIV/0!, #N/A,
#VALUE!,#REF!, and #NUM!) if they are based on an unexpected value. An example is a
simple division formula. If the source cell contains a zero, and #DIV/0! Error will be
returned.

Source A Source B Original Formula New Formula

25 0 #DIV/0!

A general way to express this is:

=IF(ISERROR(<formula>),"",<formula>)
where <formula> is the formula for which you want to suppress the error value. If
<formula> returns an error, this statement returns "" (a null character), otherwise it returns
the result of <formula>.

Another way to suppress the display of error values is to use the Conditional Formatting
feature, new to Excel 97. The Conditional Formatting feature allows you to have a cell
display different formats depending on the contents of the cell. For error values, you need to
follow these steps:
1. Select the cell to be formatted (in this case $E$40)
2. Click Conditional Formatting on the Format menu
3. In the first dropdown box, select Formula Is
4. In the edit box next to it, type: =ISERROR($E$40)
5. Click on the format button, and select a format, in this case, a blue background
and the same blue font was used.
6. Click OK

The result is that for error values, the font color is the same as the background, and nothing
will be displayed.

Source A Source B Original Format New Format

25 0 #DIV/0! #DIV/0!

Indexing, Matching, and Looking Up Values

One of the most common List Management tasks is to find the value at the intersection of a
column and a row in a rectangular range of cells on a worksheet. The Lookup Wizard helps
you to write formulas to accomplish this task.

To use this feature, select a cell within the data range that you would like to use, then select
Tools / Wizard / Lookup, and follow the steps in the wizard.
If the menu items are not present and for additional information on how to use or install the
Lookup Wizard, use the Office Assistant and perform a search using the phrase "Lookup Wizard".

Conditional Sum Formulas

Another common task in Excel is to calculate the sum of the values meeting the conditions
you specify. The Conditional Sum Wizard helps you write formulas that accomplish this task.

To use this feature, select a cell within the list that you would like to summarize, then select
Tools / Wizard / Conditional Sum, and follow the steps in the wizard.

If the menu items are not present and for additional information on how to use or install the
Conditional Sum Wizard, use the Office Assistant and perform a search using the phrase
"Conditional Sum Wizard".
Conditional Formatting
Conditional Formatting allows you to change the formatting applied
to cell depending on the current value of the cell. This can make
auditing large worksheets much faster by automatically highlighting
exceptions. Conditional Formatting allows you to apply up to three
separate conditions to a cell.

Conditional Formatting allows you to change the font style, borders,

and cell patterns.

Conditional Formatting Example #1

4
Cells H10:H14 contain three Conditional Formatting rules that will 7
change the formatting of the cells depending on the values entered
text
into the cells.
1
To see the conditions applied to the cells, select cell H10, and then 15
click Conditional Formatting on the Format menu.

Conditional Formatting Example #2 - Hiding Error Values

This example illustrates how to use Conditional Formatting to hide 2.5

error values that are returned by formulas. In this example, cells 4
H21 and H23 would normally display the #DIV/0! error code. The #DIV/0!
Conditional Formatting that has been applied sets the font color of 5
the cells containing an error value to match the background of the #DIV/0!
worksheet.

To see the conditions applied to the cells, select cell H19, and then
click Conditional Formatting on the Format menu.
10 4
20 5
30
40 8
50
Data Validation
Data Validation allows you to set up restrictions for the values that
can be entered into a cell. The following examples present several
common scenarios for using Data Validation.

Data Validation Example #1 - Restricting Entry to Numeric Values

Cells H9:H13 have been formatted with a validation rule that

restricts cell entries to numeric values. This example utilizes the
Stop style for the Error alert, which prevents you from making an
invalid entry into the selected cell.

To see the Validation settings for this example, select cell H9, and
then click Validation on the Data menu.

Data Validation Example #2 - Restricting the Length of a Text Entry

Cells H19:H23 have been formatted with a validation rule that

restricts the length of text entries to seven characters or less. This
example utilizes the Warning style for the Error alert, which gives
you the option to cancel the current entry, or enter the invalid value
into the selected cell.

To see the Validation settings for this example, select cell H19, and
then click Validation on the Data menu.

Data Validation Example #3 - Restricting Entry to a Range of Whole Numbers

Cells H30:H34 have been formatted with a validation rule that will
alert you if you do not enter a whole number between 1 and 10.
This example utilizes the Information style for the Error alert, which
informs you of an invalid entry, but allows you to keep the current
value.

To see the Validation settings for this example, select cell H30, and
then click Validation on the Data menu.

Data Validation Example #4 - Restricting Cell Entry to a List of Values

Cells H41:H45 have been formatted with a validation rule that

restricts the entries to a list of values. The list of valid entries is
contained in cells M41:M49. When you select a cell within the
range H41:H45, a dropdown arrow appears on the cell. When you
click the arrow, the list of valid entries is displayed. You can simply
click the entry that you wish to make. This example utilizes the
Stop style for the Error alert, which prevents you from making an
invalid entry in the cell.

To see the Validation settings for this example, select cell H41, and
then click Validation on the Data menu.
Bob
Chris
David
John
Mike
Perry
Randal
Steve
Tim
Attaching Labels to an XY (Scatter) Chart
Labels X Values Y Values
Datapoint1 2 5 Place
Place Labels
Labels on
on Reset
Reset Chart
Chart View
View Code
Datapoint2 9 7 Chart
Chart
Datapoint3 5 3
Datapoint4 4 8

In Microsoft Excel, there is no built-in way to

In Microsoft Excel,
automatically attach there is no to
text labels built-in
an xyway to
automatically attach text labels
(scatter) chart. You can use a macro to antoxy
(scatter) chart. Y Values
accomplish this. You can use a macro to
accomplish this.
9
The attached macro demonstrates how to
The attached
apply macro
labels to an demonstrates
xy (scatter) how to
chart, and 8
apply labels to an xy (scatter) chart,
assumes that your data and associated and
labels
assumes that your data and associated
are arranged on your worksheet in the same labels 7
are arranged on your worksheet
fashion as the shaded cells above. in the same
fashion as the shaded cells above. 6
To apply the data point labels, press the
To apply
"Place the data
Labels point Button.
on Chart" labels, press the 5 YV
"Place Labels on Chart" Button.
To remove the labels for another demo, press 4
To"Reset
the removeChart"
the labels for another demo, press
button.
the "Reset Chart" button. 3
To view the macro code attached to the 2
To view
sheet, the the
press macro code
"View attached
Code" to the
button.
sheet, press the "View Code" button.
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
 View
View Code
Code

Y Values

8 9 10
Repeating Tasks

Often it is necessary to perform the same task on a group of items. These items may be cells in a
range, worksheets in a workbook or workbooks in the application. Although the macro recorder
cannot record loops, the recorder can still be used to record the main task to be repeated. Then,
with some minor modifications to the recorded code, various types of loops can be created
depending on what is needed for an individual project.

The samples below focus on a scenario where the programmer has a range of cells in column A
containing numbers, and depending on the value of the cell, wishes to change the color of the
corresponding cell in column B.

First, we can record the single step process of changing the color of the background of a cell:
To record: From the Tools menu, click Macro, then click Record New Macro. While recording,
from the Format menu, click Cells. Then, click the Patterns tab and select a color.

This sample uses yellow (.ColorIndex=6). Now stop the recorder using the Stop button on the Stop
Recording toolbar. The currently selected cell will change color and the following macro will have
been recorded:

Goto
Goto Recorded_Macro
Recorded_Macro
Sub Recorded_Macro() Sample
Sample Code
Code
'
' Macro recorded 11/18/98
'
With Selection.Interior
.ColorIndex = 6
.Pattern = xlSolid
End With
End Sub

Note: If, while recording, you selected a cell, your macro may contain something similar to
Range("A3").Select. You may want to remove this line, since every time the macro is run,
this line will force the cell specified in the Range object to be selected. If you want that cell to be
selected first then leave that line in the macro.

Now, we can modify the code slightly and add one of the various looping structures to the recorded
code.

For Each...Next Loop

If we know what range of cells to which we want to apply the recorded action, we can use a For
Each…Next loop. In this example, we also want to only affect the cell in column B if the cell in A is
greater than 20. To do this we add an If statement around our recorded With statement. This will
ensure the color will be changed only if the If statement's condition is true. Lastly, because we are
wanting to change the corresponding cell one column to the right of column A (column B), we will
replace the Selection property in the recorded code with the Offset method of the looping cell
object (cell_in_loop). The resulting code might look like this

Goto
Goto For_Each_Next
For_Each_Next
Sample
Sample Code
Code
Sub For_Each_Next_Sample()
'
' Macro recorded 11/18/98
'
For Each cell_in_loop In Range("A1:A5")
If cell_in_loop.Value > 20 Then
With cell_in_loop.Offset(0, 1).Interior
.ColorIndex = 6
.Pattern = xlSolid
End With
End If
Next
End Sub

For…Next Loop
If you know how many times you wish to loop through your code you can use a For...Next loop.
Using our example, if you want to only check ten cells down, starting from the selected cell, then
your modified recorded code might look like this:

Goto
Goto For_Next
For..Next
For..Next Sample
Sample
Sub For_Next_Sample() Code
Code

For Counter = 0 To 9
If Selection.Offset(Counter, 0).Value > 20 Then
With Selection.Offset(Counter, 1).Interior
.ColorIndex = 6
.Pattern = xlSolid
End With
End If
Next
End Sub

Here the Selection object is being used so that the code is not specific to any given range, but will
always loop through ten (0 to 9 as a counter) cells below the active cell. The Counter variable
increments each time through the loop and can be used within the looping structure. Here it is used
as an Offset argument to indicate how many rows to offset from Selection (the current cell). So, if
we start this macro and the active cell is A1, the first time through the loop the Counter variable will
equal 0, therefore we will Offset 0 rows from A1 as shown in the Selection.Offset(Counter, 0).Value
statement.

Do…Loop

To determine whether or not to stop a loop based on a certain condition, a Do…Loop might be
appropriate. This looping structure allows you to check properties or variable conditions before the
loop is executed. In the sample below, we continue to loop until the referenced cell's row
number, Selection.Offset(Counter, 0).Row, has exceeded 100. This can be useful if you
never want to perform the looping task below row 100.
 Goto
Goto Do_Loop
Do_Loop Sample
Sample
Sub Do_Loop_Sample() Code
Code

Counter = 0
Do Until Selection.Offset(Counter, 0).Row > 100
If Selection.Offset(Counter, 0).Value > 20 Then
With Selection.Offset(Counter, 1).Interior
.ColorIndex = 6
.Pattern = xlSolid
End With
End If
Counter = Counter + 1
Loop
End Sub

Note: There are three more types of Do…Loops available. The various forms offer more flexibility
when needed in various circumstances.

To find more information about these, and more detail about the other looping structures, please
access Help from within the Visual Basic Environment and use the keyword looping.
Working with Arrays

The most common way to transfer the contents of an array to a worksheet is through a loop, such
as a For...Next loop. A For...Next loop allows you to index into the array and transfer elements of
the array to their destination address one at a time. You can accomplish this same result without a
loop using the Visual Basic, Applications Edition, FormulaArray property of the Range object.

In Visual Basic, Applications Edition, the orientation of a one-dimensional array is horizontal.

Therefore, if the range of cells on a worksheet that are to receive the contents of an array are also
in the same orientation (that is, one row by several columns), the contents can be transferred with
a single FormulaArray statement. For example:

Sub ArrayDump1() 'For a one-dimensional horizontal array Goto

Goto ArrayDump1
ArrayDump1
Dim x(1 To 10) As Double 'Declares an array of size 10 Sample
Sample Code
Code
For j = 1 To 10 'Calculates sample values
x(j) = j * j
Next j
'Transfers array contents to a horizontal area
Range(Cells(2, 1), Cells(2, 10)).FormulaArray = x
End Sub

The above example works correctly when the destination worksheet cells involve only one row.
However, when the contents of an array need to be transferred to a range of cells with a vertical,
as opposed to a horizontal orientation (that is, one column by several rows), the above example is
no longer valid.

Within a two-dimensional array you must change the orientation of the array. To do this, you can
declare the array a two-dimensional array with dimensions of several rows by one column. For
example: Goto
Goto ArrayDump2
Sample
Sample Code
Code
Sub arraydump2() 'For a two-dimensional vertical array
'Declares an array ten rows by one column
Dim x(1 To 10, 1 To 1) As Double
'Calculates random values
For j = 1 To 10
x(j, 1) = j * j
Next j
'Transfers array contents to a vertical area
Range(Cells(1, 2), Cells(10, 2)).FormulaArray = x
End Sub

The two-dimensional array shown in this example allows Visual Basic to set the orientation of the
array as vertical; therefore, the array can be transferred to a worksheet without a loop.
Goto
Goto ArrayDump1
ArrayDump1
Sample
Sample Code
Code

Goto
Goto ArrayDump2
Sample Code
API Examples
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a function contained in DLL file.
These functions are normally used by windows and other applications but they can also be used by the end user.
Note: Exercise care when experimenting with API calls. Save your work often to avoid any problems.

Because they were designed to be called by the system and by applications, most error trapping has not been implemented.
This means that you may cause system hangs, crashes or other unintended side effects when experimenting with API calls.
The following examples show how to use some of the basic APIs. These have been tested under Windows98 and Excel 2000.
There are multiple ways to use these functions and it is up to the programmer to determine which is best for the result they are

Checking all drive letters

The following example uses the function GetLogicalDriveStrings to loop through all logical drives.
Logical drives are removable, fixed, CD drives and mapped network shares.

Option Explicit
Private Declare Function GetLogicalDriveStrings Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetLogicalDriveStringsA
(ByVal nBufferLength As Long, _
ByVal lpBuffer As String) As Long
Sub Get_Logical_Drive_String()
Dim DrvString As String
Dim TotDrvs As Long Goto
Goto Get_Logical_Drive_String
Get_Logical_Drive_String
Sample
Sample Code
Code
Dim Counter As Integer

'TotDrvs returns the total number of characters in return string

TotDrvs = GetLogicalDriveStrings(0&, DrvString)
'DrvString is the buffer created to hold the string
DrvString = String(TotDrvs - 1, " ")
'Calling GetLogicalDriveStrings a second time fills the string with valid data
'example "a:\ c:\ d:\ e:\ "
TotDrvs = GetLogicalDriveStrings(TotDrvs, DrvString)

'Parse through the return string displaying each in a msgbox

For Counter = 1 To TotDrvs Step 4
MsgBox Mid(DrvString, Counter, 3)
Next Counter
End Sub

Returning Video Resolution

The following code example returns the current screen video resolution
and displays the information in a message box.

Option Explicit
Private Declare Function GetSystemMetrics Lib "user32" (ByVal nIndex As Long) As Long
 'Constants for GetSystemMetrics

Const SM_CXSCREEN = 0 ' Width of screen

Const SM_CYSCREEN = 1 ' Height of screen

Sub Get_System_Metrics()

Dim XVal As Long, YVal As Long Goto

Goto Get_System_Metrics
Get_System_Metrics
YVal = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CYSCREEN) Sample Code
XVal = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CXSCREEN)
MsgBox "Your Screen Resolution is " & XVal & " by " & YVal

End Sub

Retrieving logged on user name

The following code will return the currently logged on user name.

Option Explicit
Private Declare Function GetUserName Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "GetUserNameA" _
(ByVal lpBuffer As String, _
nSize As Long) As Long

Sub Get_User_Name()

Goto
Goto Get_User_Name
Get_User_Name Sample
Sample
Dim lpBuff As String * 25
Code
Code
Dim ret As Long, UserName As String
ret = GetUserName(lpBuff, 25)
UserName = Left(lpBuff, InStr(lpBuff, Chr(0)) - 1)
MsgBox UserName

End Sub

Return the short path name of a long path and file name

The following function takes a Long File Name and returns the Short File name
displaying both in a message box.

Private Declare Function GetShortPathName Lib "KERNEL32.DLL" Alias "GetShortPathNameA" _

(ByVal lpctstrLongName As String, _
ByVal lptstrShortName As String, _
ByVal bufLen As Long) As Long

Sub Get_Short_Name()
Dim LongStr As String, ShortStr As String Goto
Goto Get_Short_Name
Get_Short_Name
Dim lStrLen As Long, lRet As Long Sample
Sample Code
Code
 Goto
Goto Get_Short_Name
Get_Short_Name
Sample
Sample Code
Code

'LongStr is any long file name or variable pointing to a file

LongStr = ThisWorkbook.FullName
lRet = GetShortPathName(LongStr, ShortStr, lStrLen)
'This allows us to create a buffer the same length as
'the returned string, saving us the trouble of having
'to strip the left of the buffer to get the string
ShortStr = String(lRet, " ")
lRet = GetShortPathName(LongStr, ShortStr, lRet)
MsgBox LongStr & " was converted to " & ShortStr
End Sub

Return the Computer Name

The following code example shows how to use the GetComputerName function to return the computer name.

Option Explicit
Private Declare Function GetComputerName Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetComputerNameA" (ByVal lpBuf
nSize As Long) As Long

Sub Get_Computer_Name() Goto

Goto Get_Computer_Name
Get_Computer_Name
Dim Comp_Name_B As String * 255 Sample Code
Dim Comp_Name As String
GetComputerName Comp_Name_B, Len(Comp_Name_B)
'but the string is always ended with a null terminated string so we can use the Chr(0) fu
Comp_Name = Left(Comp_Name_B, InStr(Comp_Name_B, Chr(0)))
'and return only the computer name
MsgBox Comp_Name
End Sub

Find the free space available on hard drive

The following code example shows how to find the free space available as well as the total hard drive size.

Option Explicit
Private Declare Function GetDiskFreeSpace Lib "KERNEL32.DLL" Alias "GetDiskFreeSpaceA" (ByVal
dwSectors As Long, _
dwBytes As Long, _
dwFreeClusters As Long, _
dwTotalClusters As Long) As Long
Sub Get_Disk_Free_Space()
Dim f As Long, iSectors As Long
Dim iTotal As Long, rTotal As Long Goto
Goto Get_Disk_Free_Space
Get_Disk_Free_Space
Sample Code
Dim iFree As Long, rFree As Long
Dim iBytes As Long
Dim sName As String, s As String
sName = "C:\"
 f = GetDiskFreeSpace(sName, iSectors, iBytes, iFree, iTotal)
rFree = iSectors * iBytes * CDbl(iFree)
rTotal = iSectors * iBytes * CDbl(iTotal)
If f Then
s = sName
s = s & " has " & Format(rFree, "#,###,###,##0")
s = s & " bytes free from " & Format(rTotal, "#,###,##0") & " Total bytes"
End If
MsgBox s
End Sub

Returning the system folder location

The following code example show how to retrieve the system folder location.

Option Explicit
Declare Function GetSystemDirectory Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetSystemDirectoryA" (ByVal lpBuffe
ByVal nSize As Long) As Long

Sub Get_System_Directory()
Dim Sys_Dir As String, Res As Long
Res = GetSystemDirectory(Sys_Dir, 0&)
Sys_Dir = String(Res - 1, " ") Goto
Goto GetSystemDirectory
GetSystemDirectory
Res = GetSystemDirectory(Sys_Dir, Res) Sample
Sample Code
Code
MsgBox Sys_Dir
End Sub

Finding out if the system is capable of playing WAV files

The following code example polls the system to see if there are any devices capable of playing WAV files.

Option Explicit
Declare Function waveOutGetNumDevs Lib "winmm" () As Long

Sub Num_Devs()
Dim i As Long
i = waveOutGetNumDevs()
If i > 0 Then ' There is at least one device.
MsgBox "You Can Play Wave Data"
Else
Goto
Goto Num_Devs
Num_Devs
MsgBox "Cannot Play Wave Data"
Sample
Sample Code
Code
End If
End Sub

Setting Excel to "Always on Top"

The following code example shows how to make Microsoft Excel "Always on Top". This prevents other applications
from being displayed in front of Microsoft Excel.
Option Explicit
Private Declare Function FindWindow Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowA" (ByVal lpClassName As St
ByVal lpWindowName As String) As Long
Private Declare Function SetWindowPos Lib "user32" (ByVal hWnd As Long, _
ByVal hWndInsertAfter As Long, _
ByVal x As Long, _
ByVal y As Long, _ Goto
Goto SetOnTop
SetOnTop
ByVal cx As Long, _ Sample
Sample Code
Code
ByVal cy As Long, _
ByVal wFlags As Long) As Long
Global Const HWND_TOPMOST = -1
Global Const HWND_NOTOPMOST = -2

Sub SetOnTop()
Dim WinHnd As Long, SUCCESS As Long
WinHnd = FindWindow("xlmain", Application.Caption)
SUCCESS = SetWindowPos(WinHnd, HWND_TOPMOST, 0, 0, 0, 0, Flags)
'The following line is here just to switch Excel back to normal operation
'after 20 seconds
Application.OnTime Now + TimeValue("00:00:20"), "NotOnTop"
End Sub

Sub NotOnTop()
Dim WinHnd As Long, SUCCESS As Long
WinHnd = FindWindow("xlmain", Application.Caption)
SUCCESS = SetWindowPos(WinHnd, HWND_NOTOPMOST, 0, 0, 0, 0, Flags)
End Sub
As String, _

on to find the end

oot As String, _
String, _
Programming with Events
Often programmers wish to have a certain event trigger a macro to perform some task. Microsoft Excel 2000
offers this capability. Events are always associated with an object. Examples of these might be a worksheet, or
a workbook. In this sample file we will only discuss a few of the events available and use a MsgBox as a filler to
demonstrate where regular code could go. To find out more about any of these and other events, click on the
assistant while in the VBE and use the object name and the word "events" as your keywords. (e.g. worksheet
events).

BeforeDoubleClick
A very popular type of Event is the BeforeDoubleClick event on a worksheet. A very simple example may look
like:

Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Excel.Range, Cancel As

Boolean)
MsgBox "You double clicked on cell " & Target.Address
Cancel = True
End Sub

This event will fire whenever the user double-clicks a cell in the worksheet. The parameter Target is passed into
the macro so the programmer will know what cell has been double clicked. The Cancel argument has a default
value of False but can be changed to True within the code. Setting Cancel to True will cancel the default action
for the event. In this case, the default action for a double click on a cell is to switch to edit mode on the cell.
Since we set Cancel to True, this will not occur. If you want to still have the default action occur, then the
Cancel=True line can be removed.

Change
Another very useful event is the Change event for a worksheet. Any time the user enters a new value in any cell
this event fires.

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)

MsgBox "This sheet has changed in cell " & Target.Address
End Sub

Note: This event does not occur if the sheet has just been recalculated. There is an event called Calculate
which will fire when the worksheet recalculates.

BeforeClose
A useful Workbook related event is BeforeClose. These events can be used to perform "housekeeping" tasks
before a file is saved or closed.

Sub Workbook_BeforeClose(Cancel As Boolean)

a = MsgBox("Do you really want to close the workbook?", vbYesNo)
If a = vbNo Then Cancel = True
End Sub

In this example, the user is prompted to close the file regardless if the file has been saved or not.
Using Events with the Application Object

Before you can use events with the Application object, you must create a new class module and declare an
object of type Application with the keyword WithEvents. For example, assume that a new class module is
created and called EventClassModule. The new class module contains the following code.

Public WithEvents App As Application

After the new object has been declared with events, it appears in the Object drop-down list box in the class
module, and you can write event procedures for the new object. (When you select the new object in the Object
box, the valid events for that object are listed in the Procedure drop-down list box.)

Before the procedures will run, however, you must connect the declared object in the class module with the
Application object. You can do this with the following code from any module.

Dim X As New EventClassModule

Sub InitializeApp()
Set X.App = Application
End Sub

After you run the InitializeApp procedure, the App object in the class module points to the Microsoft Excel
Application object, and the event procedures in the class module will run when the events occur.

Note: To find out more information on all events, please consult the VBA Help file for further information.
Automation
Automation is a feature of the Component Object Model (COM), a technology that applications use to expose their
objects to development tools, macro languages, and other applications that support Automation. For example, a
spreadsheet application may expose a worksheet, chart, cell, or range of cells each as a different type of object. A
word processor might expose objects such as an application, a document, a paragraph, a sentence, a bookmark, or
a selection. The following examples demonstrate automating tasks between Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft
applications.
For more information on Automation, refer to Understanding Automation in VBA Help.

MICROSOFT ACCESS
This example returns the location of the Microsoft Access sample databases.

Sub MS_Access()
Dim AccDir As String
Dim acc As Object
'OLE automation to Access
Set acc = CreateObject("access.application") Goto
Goto MS_Access
MS_Access
'Return the path for msaccess.exe Automation
Automation Code
Code
AccDir = acc.SysCmd(Action:=acSysCmdAccessDir)
'Display the path
MsgBox "MSAccess.exe is located in " & AccDir
'Free up variable storage space
Set acc = Nothing
End Sub

MICROSOFT WORD
This example copies the chart from the Chart Labels sheet into a new Microsoft Word document.
Sub MS_Word()
Dim wd As Object
'Create a Microsoft Word session
Set wd = CreateObject("word.application")
'Copy the chart on the Chart Labels sheet Goto
Goto MS_Word
MS_Word
Worksheets("Chart Labeling").ChartObjects(1).Chart.ChartArea.Copy Automation
Automation Code
Code
'Make document visible
wd.Visible = True
'Activate MS Word
AppActivate wd.Name
With wd
'Create a new document in Microsoft Word
.Documents.Add
'Insert a paragraph
.Selection.TypeParagraph
'Paste the chart
.Selection.PasteSpecial link:=True, DisplayAsIcon:=False, Placement:=wdInLine
End With
Set wd = Nothing
End Sub

MICROSOFT POWERPOINT
This example copies the chart from the Chart Labels sheet into a new Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Sub MS_PowerPoint() Goto

Goto MS_Powerpoint
MS_Powerpoint
Dim ppt As Object, pres As Object Automation
Automation Code
Code
'Create a Microsoft PowerPoint session
Set ppt = CreateObject("powerpoint.application")
'Copy the chart on the Chart Labels Demo sheet
Worksheets("Chart Labeling").ChartObjects(1).Copy
'Create a new document in Microsoft PowerPoint
Set pres = ppt.Presentations.Add
'Add a slide
pres.Slides.Add 1, ppLayoutBlank
'Make PowerPoint visible
ppt.Visible = True
'Activate PowerPoint
AppActivate ppt.Name
'Paste the chart
ppt.ActiveWindow.View.Paste
Set ppt = Nothing
End Sub

MICROSOFT OUTLOOK
This example creates and adds information to a new Outlook task. Run Outlook and click Tasks on the Outlook bar
to see the new task.
NOTE: It may take a few minutes for the task to appear.
Sub MS_Outlook() Goto
Goto MS_Outlook
MS_Outlook
Dim ol As Object, myItem As Object Automation
Automation Code
Code
'Create a Microsoft Outlook session
Set ol = CreateObject("outlook.application")
'Create a task
Set myItem = ol.CreateItem(olTaskItem)
'Add information to the new task
With myItem
.Subject = "New VBA task"
.Body = "This task was created via Automation from Microsoft Excel"
.NoAging = True
.Close (olSave)
End With
'Remove object from memory
Set ol = Nothing
End Sub
S_Access
S_Access
ion Code
tion Code
S_Word
S_Word
on Code

owerpoint
owerpoint
on Code
Code
ADO-ActiveX Data Objects
ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) allow direct manipulation of a database.
Several examples that illustrate common database tasks are included with
this workbook.

Retrieve Data via ISAM Drivers

This example retrives data from a dBase file, and places the result in a new
worksheet. For this example, you must have the Microsoft dBase driver
installed. You must also have the Customer.dbf file installed.

Sub RetrieveISAMdata()
''' NOTE: This subroutine requires that you reference the
'' latest version of the following library: Goto
Goto Retrieve
Retrieve ISAM
ISAM
''' Data
Data Example
Example Sample
Sample
'' Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library Code
Code

Dim conn As ADODB.Connection

Dim rst As ADODB.Recordset
Dim NewBook As Workbook
Dim PathToDatabase As String
Dim i As Integer

' Create the Connection object.

Set conn = New ADODB.Connection

' Set Database path string

PathToDatabase = Application.Path & "\" & _
Application.LanguageSettings.LanguageID(msoLanguageIDInstall)

With conn
'Assign the connection string to the connection object.
.ConnectionString = "DRIVER={Microsoft dBase Driver (*.dbf)};" & _
"DBQ=" & PathToDatabase & ";" & _
"DefaultDir=" & PathToDatabase & "\"
' Open the connection.
.Open strConn
End With

' Create a new Recordset Object.

Set rst = New ADODB.Recordset

With rst
' Connect this recordset to the previously opened connection.
.ActiveConnection = conn
 ' Retrieve all records from the Customer table.
.Open "SELECT * FROM customer"
End With

' Add a new worksheet to this workbook

Set NewBook = Workbooks.Add
' Loop through all of the fields, returning the field names to the worksheet.
For i = 0 To rst.Fields.Count - 1
NewBook.Sheets(1).Range("a1").Offset(0, i).Value = rst.Fields(i).Name
Next i
' Copy the recordset to the new worksheet.
NewBook.Sheets(1).Range("a2").CopyFromRecordset rst

' Close the recordset.

Set rst = Nothing
' Close the Connection.
conn.Close
End Sub

Retrieving Data From Microsoft Access

This example uses ADO to create a query based on two tables in the
Northwind.mdb database. This example requires that the Northwind.mdb file
is installed on your computer.

Sub RetrieveAccessData()
''' NOTE: This subroutine requires that you reference the
'' latest version of the following library:
'''
'' Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library
Goto
Goto Retrieve
Retrieve Access
Access
Dim conn As ADODB.Connection Data
Data Example
Example Sample
Sample
Dim rst As ADODB.Recordset Code
Code
Dim Nsql As String, Njoin As String, Ncriteria As String
Dim NewBook As Workbook
Dim i As Integer

' Create the Connection object.

Set conn = New ADODB.Connection
With conn
' Set the OleDB provider for the connection.
.Provider = "Microsoft.JET.OLEDB.4.0"
' Open a connection to Northwind.mdb.
.Open Application.Path & "\samples\northwind.mdb"
End With

Nsql = "SELECT DISTINCTROW Categories.CategoryName, Products.ProductName, Products.Quanti

Njoin = "FROM Categories INNER JOIN Products ON Categories.CategoryID = Products.Category
 Ncriteria = "WHERE ((([Products].Discontinued)=No) AND (([Products].UnitsInStock)>20));"

' Create a new Recordset Object.

Set rst = New ADODB.Recordset
With rst
' Connect this recordset to the previously opened connection.
.ActiveConnection = conn
' Retrieve all records from the Customer table.
.Open Nsql & Njoin & Ncriteria, conn, adOpenDynamic, adLockBatchOptimistic
End With

' Add a new worksheet to this workbook

Set NewBook = Workbooks.Add
' Loop through all of the fields, returning the field names to the worksheet.
For i = 0 To rst.Fields.Count - 1
NewBook.Sheets(1).Range("a1").Offset(0, i).Value = rst.Fields(i).Name
Next i
' Copy the recordset to the new worksheet.
NewBook.Sheets(1).Range("a2").CopyFromRecordset rst

' Close the recordset.

Set rst = Nothing
' Close the Connection.
conn.Close
End Sub

List Tables in a Database

This example lists the tables in the Microsoft Access database

Northwind.mdb. This example requires that the Northwind.mdb file is
installed on your computer.

Sub ListTables()
''' NOTE: This subroutine requires that you reference the
'' latest version of the following library: Goto
Goto List
List Tables
Tables
Example Sample Code
'''
'' Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library

Dim conn As ADODB.Connection

Dim rst As ADODB.Recordset

' Create the Connection object.

Set conn = New ADODB.Connection
With conn
' Set the OleDB provider for the connection.
.Provider = "Microsoft.JET.OLEDB.4.0"
' Open a connection to Northwind.mdb.
.Open Application.Path & "\samples\northwind.mdb"
 End With

Set rst = conn.OpenSchema(adSchemaTables)

While Not rst.EOF

If rst.Fields("TABLE_TYPE") <> "VIEW" Then
MsgBox rst.Fields("TABLE_NAME")
End If
rst.MoveNext
Wend

Set rst = Nothing

conn.Close
End Sub

List Fields in a Table

This example lists the fileds in the Customer.dbf dBase file. For this
example, you must have the Microsoft dBase driver installed. You must also
have the Customer.dbf file installed.

Sub ListFields()
''' NOTE: This subroutine requires that you reference the
'' latest version of the following library: Goto
Goto List Fields
''' Example
Example Sample Code
'' Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library

Dim conn As ADODB.Connection

Dim rst As ADODB.Recordset
Dim fld As ADODB.Field

' Create the Connection object.

Set conn = New ADODB.Connection
With conn
' Set the OleDB provider for the connection.
.Provider = "Microsoft.JET.OLEDB.4.0"
' Open a connection to Northwind.mdb.
.Open Application.Path & "\samples\northwind.mdb"
End With

Set rst = New ADODB.Recordset

With rst
.ActiveConnection = conn
.Open "SELECT * FROM customers"
End With

For Each fld In rst.Fields

MsgBox fld.Name
 Next fld

Set rst = Nothing

conn.Close
End Sub

Add Data to a New Table in an Access Database

This example adds a new table to the Northwind.mdb database. The

subroutine then populates the table with data located in cells S1:V30 of this
worksheet. This example requires that the Northwind.mdb file is installed on
your computer.

Sub CreateTable()
''' NOTE: This subroutine requires that you reference the
'' latest version of the following library:
Goto
Goto Create
Create Table
Table
''' Example
Example Sample
Sample Code
Code
'' Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library
''' Microsoft ADO Ext. 2.1 for DDL and Security

' The first four Dim lines are simultaneously declaring and
' creating new objects. You can use this syntax, or you can
' use the Set statement to create the objects.
Dim cat As New ADOX.Catalog
Dim tbl As New ADOX.Table
Dim conn As New ADODB.Connection
Dim rst As New ADODB.Recordset

Dim looprange As Range

Dim currcell As Range

With conn
' Set the OleDB provider for the connection.
.Provider = "Microsoft.JET.OLEDB.4.0"
' Open a connection to Northwind.mdb.
.Open Application.Path & "\samples\northwind.mdb"
End With

' Set the active connection for the Catalog object.

cat.ActiveConnection = conn

With tbl
' Name the new table.
.Name = "SalesTable"
' Name the columns for the new table.
With .Columns
.Append "Name"
.Append "Region"
 .Append "Product"
' The Sales column must be the Currency data type.
.Append "Sales", adCurrency
End With
End With

' Add the table to the database.

cat.Tables.Append tbl

With rst
.ActiveConnection = conn
' Open the new table. The LockType argument of the
' Open method must be set to adLockOptimistic in order
' add records to the table.
.Open "SalesTable", LockType:=adLockOptimistic
End With

' Set the range that contains the records to add to the database.
Set looprange = Range("s2", Range("s2").End(xlDown))

' Loop through the information on the worksheet.

For Each currcell In looprange
With rst
' Add a new record.
.AddNew
' Add information to the correct fields.
.Fields("Name").Value = currcell.Value
.Fields("Region").Value = currcell.Offset(0, 1).Value
.Fields("Product").Value = currcell.Offset(0, 2).Value
.Fields("Sales").Value = currcell.Offset(0, 3).Value
' Write the new record to the database.
.Update
End With
Next currcell

rst.Close
Set tbl = Nothing
Set cat = Nothing
conn.Close
End Sub

Trapping ADO Errors

This example illustrates how to trap, then return relevant information about
an error that you may receive when running ADO code.

Sub Trap_ADO_Errors()
''' NOTE: This subroutine requires that you reference the
'' latest version of the following library:
''' Goto
Goto Trap
Trap ADO
ADO Errors
Errors
Example
Example Sample
Sample Code
Code
'' Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library

Dim conn As ADODB.Connection

Dim tbar As String, msg As String

' Go to the section labeled "ErrorHandler:" when an

' error occurs.
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler

' Create the Connection object.

Set conn = New ADODB.Connection
With conn
' Set the OleDB provider for the connection.
.Provider = "Microsoft.JET.OLEDB.4.0"
' Open a connection to abc.mdb.
.Open "C:\abc.mdb"
End With
' Exit the subroutine if no error are encountered.
Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
' Refer to the Errors collection of the Connection
' object.
With conn.Errors(0)
' The title bar will contain the source of the
' error.
tbar = .Source
' The message will contain the error number and
' the text of the error message.
msg = "Error Number: " & .Number & _
WorksheetFunction.Rept(Chr(13), 2) & _
.Description
' Display the error information.
MsgBox prompt:=msg, Title:=tbar
End With
End Sub
 Name
Please Do Not Tom
Modify this table. Tom
It is necessary for Tom
examples contained Tom
in this workbook. Mike
Mike
Mike
Mike
Lindy
Lindy
Lindy
Lindy
Jan
Jan
Goto
Goto Retrieve
Retrieve ISAM
ISAM Jan
Data
Data Example
Example Sample
Sample Jan
Code
Code Harvey
Harvey
Harvey
Harvey
Greg
Greg
Greg
Greg
Andy
Andy
Andy
Andy
 Goto
Goto Retrieve
Retrieve Access
Access
Data
Data Example
Example Sample
Code
Code

ame, Products.QuantityPerUnit, Products.UnitPrice "

= Products.CategoryID "
nitsInStock)>20));"

Goto
Goto List
List Tables
Tables
Example
Example Sample
Sample Code
Code
 Goto
Goto List
List Fields
Fields
Example
Example Sample
Sample Code
Code
 Goto
Goto Create
Create Table
Table
Example
Example Sample
Sample Code
Code
Goto
Goto Trap
Trap ADO
ADO Errors
Errors
Example
Example Sample
Sample Code
Region Product Sales
East Apples $759
East Bananas $707
East Pears $188
East Oranges $121
South Bananas $689
South Oranges $345
South Apples $244
South Pears $962
South Apples $732
South Pears $908
South Oranges $755
South Bananas $30
East Bananas $979
East Apples $123
East Pears $21
East Oranges $799
South Oranges $244
South Bananas $516
South Apples $562
South Pears $190
North Pears $300
North Oranges $704
North Bananas $785
North Apples $527
North Pears $513
North Oranges $800
North Bananas $138
North Apples $430