reference guide suggestions?

robfritts · Apr 30th, 2002, 01:17 AM

I'm looking for a valuable reference for VBA/macros, particularly within Excel if it makes a difference. I'm just starting to discover the power of automation within excel because I've found where my company stores (and how they mine) the data we had to access through a proprietary system. Can you guys recommend any particular reference or guide for this stuff?

Iain Lewis · Apr 30th, 2002, 02:46 AM

Persoanlly I started off by recording some basic macros & looking at the code. The help files can be quite useful ( tho' sometimes they're more hinderence than help.).
Books by John Walkenbach always come highly recomended by other users I know. Have a look at his web site :

http://j-walk.com

robfritts · Apr 30th, 2002, 07:55 AM

Good, good, and good.

All three things I've done and in the order I've done them.

I've been using macros (recording them & modifying them) for a few years, but never had a reason to dig into scripting. That's all changed now that we get to manage ourselves and have access to the data that we're measured on.

The help files are *really* good, but I was having trouble finding out that a function or method (what is a method anyway???) even existed. I'm pretty good at reading someone elses code and figuring out what it does and how, I was actually looking for a (programmer's?) reference that listed the objects, context, and maybe some samples... I guess actually, it's a help file in a book.

Help system is great, but it's like I've got to know it exists before I can find help on it, and I can't know it exists until I read about it somewhere else (someone else's code, obscure reference in another help example, etc).

Ricky Morris · Apr 30th, 2002, 08:10 AM

From within VBA, press F2 to display the object browser. It lists all the classes and their members. This is a good way to find out what's available, then you can use Help to get more information.

robfritts · Apr 30th, 2002, 08:30 AM

ah hah!

sorry, I'm completely lame when it comes to the VBA development environment... still haven't explored all it's menus yet, perhaps I should start there.

F2 is what I needed!

Thanks a million.

Apr 30th, 2002, 08:10 AM	#4
Ricky Morris Board Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 363	From within VBA, press F2 to display the object browser. It lists all the classes and their members. This is a good way to find out what's available, then you can use Help to get more information. __________________ It's never too late to learn something new. Ricky

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Apr 30th, 2002, 01:17 AM	#1
robfritts New Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: KC, MO Posts: 18	I'm looking for a valuable reference for VBA/macros, particularly within Excel if it makes a difference. I'm just starting to discover the power of automation within excel because I've found where my company stores (and how they mine) the data we had to access through a proprietary system. Can you guys recommend any particular reference or guide for this stuff?

Apr 30th, 2002, 02:46 AM	#2
Iain Lewis Board Regular Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 217	Persoanlly I started off by recording some basic macros & looking at the code. The help files can be quite useful ( tho' sometimes they're more hinderence than help.). Books by John Walkenbach always come highly recomended by other users I know. Have a look at his web site : http://j-walk.com

Apr 30th, 2002, 07:55 AM	#3
robfritts New Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: KC, MO Posts: 18	Good, good, and good. All three things I've done and in the order I've done them. I've been using macros (recording them & modifying them) for a few years, but never had a reason to dig into scripting. That's all changed now that we get to manage ourselves and have access to the data that we're measured on. The help files are really good, but I was having trouble finding out that a function or method (what is a method anyway???) even existed. I'm pretty good at reading someone elses code and figuring out what it does and how, I was actually looking for a (programmer's?) reference that listed the objects, context, and maybe some samples... I guess actually, it's a help file in a book. Help system is great, but it's like I've got to know it exists before I can find help on it, and I can't know it exists until I read about it somewhere else (someone else's code, obscure reference in another help example, etc).

Apr 30th, 2002, 08:30 AM	#5
robfritts New Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: KC, MO Posts: 18	ah hah! sorry, I'm completely lame when it comes to the VBA development environment... still haven't explored all it's menus yet, perhaps I should start there. F2 is what I needed! Thanks a million.