Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

• An object-oriented programming language– Instructions for the manipulation of objects– A structured way to provide instructions to

Excel

• Excel has an Object Library that defines its set of objects (e.g. workbooks, charts, ranges of cells)

Logic of Language

• First part of a command identifies the object

• Second part of command:– Sets a property of the object (e.g. color or font)– Takes an action on the object (e.g.copy or

move)– Sets an attribute to the object (e.g. assigns a

value to it using := )

Example of an Instruction

• Application.Workbooks(“Book1.xls”).Worksheets(“Sheet1”).Range(“A1”).Font.Name=“Arial”

• Application.Workbooks(“Book1.xls”).Worksheets(“Sheet1”).Range(“A1”) is the object

• Font.Name=“Arial” is the property being set

Control of VBA

• A Procedure is a set of instructions that operate on a set of objects

• A Function is a procedure that returns a value as a result

• A Subroutine is a procedure that can be run or used by another macro

VBA Toolbar (Excel 2003)

Developer Tab (Excel 2007)

BlueCell Macro

• Sub bluecell()• '• ' bluecell Macro• ' Macro recorded 10/12/2002 by LMU LMU• '• '• With Selection.Interior• .ColorIndex = 8• .Pattern = xlSolid• .PatternColorIndex = xlAutomatic• End With• End Sub

Running Macros

• Run Macro option

• Shortcut Keys: [Ctrl][Shift] letter

• Command Buttons

• Custom Toolbar

Running Solver through a Macro

• Solver dialog box must have been opened at least once in current Excel session (i.e. Solver must be currently activated in Excel)

• SolverSolve UserFinish:=True

• Tools Reference option in VBA must have Solver selected

Debugging VBA Code

• When VBA encounters a problem, it will highlight line in yellow.

• Use [f8] key to step through code

• Use the Reset icon button (square) at top of VBA to exit step-through mode and trouble- shoot code or Excel/VBA settings. Cannot retry macro until yellow highlight is gone.