Editing Macros in VBA

[Rblack40]

Whats the key in editing macros to know that you are not getting compile errors and how do you know when your in VBA which statements are repetitive? Do you always go by the macro recorder? I'm still puzzled.

 

[Novelec]

Hi Rblack40,

I'm as far from an expert as they come, but I can tell you that the Macro recorder can be very deceptive, if that's what you are using to reference things. The recorder will often add lots of unnecessary code, as it records EVERY action you do, which is not always desired.

As for a key to editing macros, I'm sure the resident pro's will agree that's like finding the Holy Grail. Haha! Take a basic course perhaps...? I've been dabbling with VBA on a recreational basis for almost a year, and still don't know what I'm doing...

 

[Smitty]

Before testing the code you can always goto Debug-->Compile, which will identify any (most) errors.

As for what might be repetitive, that's pretty much just experience.

With regards to the recorder, a lot of developers use it just because it generates a lot of code (including complicated syntax like file paths) quickly. But it's incredibly inefficient and always needs to be optimized.

HTH,

 

[JLGWhiz]

Whats the key in editing macros to know that you are not getting compile errors and how do you know when your in VBA which statements are repetitive? Do you always go by the macro recorder? I'm still puzzled.

Here are three links for you to review. I am sure that one of them has your answers.

Debugging VBA
Debug Excel VBA Macro Code
TechBookReport - Debugging Excel VBA Code

 

[Rblack40]

I've read through the debugging links and does little to help me see what actual code to change and what to change it to. That just highlights the code in yellow in VBA and how would you know in a line of highlighted code what to change? What will help you in VBA in knowing what is a valid VBA statement from an invalid. There is the Object Library but even that is perplexing. Its getting the punctuation right and what code names to add to replace code names that have been highlighted. Take an If, Then, Else statement, why is Then on the line with the IF?

 

[Smitty]

Debugging takes practice to start seeing what's wrong. Unfortunately, the helpfiles aren't all that helpful unless you know what you're looking for, and even then...But it is good to turn on "Auto Syntax Check" in the VBE options when you're starting as that will at least get you closer to what errors are in your code when they're found.

Take an If, Then, Else statement, why is Then on the line with the IF?

The "Then" completes the If criteria argument and has to be on the same line.

If an If...Then (without an Else) can be completed with one argument, then you can leave it all on one line. It's personal preference in that case to do that or break it out into a "paragraph".

E.G.

If Something Then Something

Is the same as:

If Something Then
Something
End If

 

[Novelec]

Hi again Rblack40,

If there was a "formula" per say to write perfect VBA code first time every time, this forum (and many others) simply wouldn't exist. Code writing is a slow process, and always involves a degree of fault finding and repairs, however this process will most certainly improve with experience.

The reality is that Excel is a very complicated program, created and constantly updated by a team of software engineers. I think it may be a little overzealous to assume one person can learn all of this on their own. I'm sure even the moderators on here would confess that they learn new things about Excel all the time.

To give yourself a fighting chance in a complicated programming environment, I would say your best bet is to take a course. Even watch some tutorials on YouTube, you would be amazed at what you can find. It sounds like you just want to get your head around the mechanics of the VBA world, which I'm sure you can achieve with a good internet search, and some dedicated hours of watching/reading. Try the link below to get the ball rolling.

Start at the beginning...

 

[hiker95]

Rblack40,

See if something below will help you.


Training / Books / Sites as of 7/13/2013

What Is VBA?
VBA is an acronym for Visual Basic for Applications. VBA should not be confused with VB, which is standard Visual Basic. Visual Basic for Applications is a programming feature designed by Microsoft for use with their Microsoft Office

MrExcel's Products: Books, CDs, Podcasts Discuss topics related to Holy Macro! Products: Learn Excel from MrExcel, VBA and Macros for Microsoft Excel,Holy Macro! It's 2500 VBA Examples CD, Guerilla Data Analysis Using Microsoft Excel and Excel Knowledge Base CD and the MrExcel Podcasts.
MrExcel's Products: Books, CDs, Podcasts

There are over 1800 Excel videos/tutorials here:
ExcelIsFun - YouTube

Getting Started with VBA.
DataPig Technologies

If you are serious about learning VBA try
Macros Made Easy for Microsoft Excel

Excel Tutorials and Tips - VBA - macros - training
Excel Tutorial | Excel Tips | Excel Articles

Microsoft Office training
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/tr...101782702.aspx

Free VBA Course
Free VBA Course

Excel 2007 VBA materials to learn here:
VBA for Excel 2007 tutorial-VBA programming?

Here's a good primer on the scope of variables.
Understanding Scope

Using Variables in Excel VBA Macro Code
Excel VBA Variables. Using Variables in Excel VBA Macro Code

See David McRitchie's site if you just started with VBA
Getting Started with Macros and User Defined Functions

What is a Visual Basic Module?
What Is A VBA Module and how is a VBA Module Used?

Here is a good introductory tutorial using a VBA Class:
Classes In VBA

Ron de Bruin's intro to macros:
http://www.rondebruin.nl/code.htm

Ron's Excel Tips
Excel for Windows Tips

Ron de Bruin's Mail from Excel and make/mail PDF files (Windows)
Mail from Excel and make/mail PDF files (Windows)

Anthony's Excel VBA Page - Excel Application - Excel Consultant - Excel Consulting (see 3 tutorials in Excel VBA Basic Tutorial Series)

http://www.jlathamsite.com/Teach/VBA...troduction.pdf (95 page "book")

BET: Microsoft Excel Visual Basic

Debugging VBA
Debug Excel VBA Macro Code
TechBookReport - Debugging Excel VBA Code

Start at the beginning...

Creating An XLA Add-In For Excel, Writing User Defined Functions In VBA
Creating An XLA Add In

How do I create a PERSONAL.XLS(B) or Add-in
http://www.rondebruin.nl/personal.htm

Creating custom functions
Creating custom functions - Excel - Office.com

Writing Your First VBA Function in Excel
Writing Your First VBA Function in Excel

VBA for Excel (Macros)
Excel Macros (VBA) Tutorial

Excel Macros Tutorial
Excel Macros (VBA) Tutorial

Excel Macros & Programming
Learning about EXCEL macros

VBA Lesson 11: VBA Code General Tips and General Vocabulary
VBA for Excel macros language

Excel VBA -- Adding Code to a Workbook
Excel VBA -- Adding Code to Excel Workbook

Beyond Excel's recorder

Helpful as a simple concise reference for the basics, and, using the macro recorder is endlessly powerful.
MS Excel: Cells

Learn to debug:
Debugging VBA

How To: Assign a Macro to a Button or Shape
How To: Assign a Macro to a Button or Shape | Peltier Tech Blog | Excel Charts

User Form Creation
Create an Excel UserForm

When To Use a UserForm & What to Use a UserForm For
When to use Userform & What To Use Them For. Excel Training VBA 2 lesson 2

Excel Tutorials / Video Tutorials - Functions
Excel VLookup Function Examples

How to insert Buttons, radio buttons and check boxes in Excel
How to insert Buttons, radio buttons and check boxes in Excel - Bing Videos

INDEX MATCH - Excel Index Function and Excel Match Function
Excel Index Function and Match Function

Excel Data Validation
Excel Data Validation Tips and Quirks
Excel Data Validation - Add New Items

Excel -- Data Validation -- Create Dependent Lists
Excel Data Validation -- Dependent Lists

Your Quick Reference to Microsoft Excel Solutions
XL-CENTRAL.COM : For your Microsoft Excel Solutions

New! Excel Recorded Webinars
DataPig Technologies

Fuzzy Matching - new version plus explanation

Programming The VBA Editor - Created by Chip Pearson at Pearson Software Consulting LLC
This page describes how to write code that modifies or reads other VBA code.
Programming In The VBA Editor

VBA and Macros for Microsoft Excel, by Bill Jelen "Mr.Excel" and Tracy Syrstad

Excel Hacks 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools, by David & Traina Hawley

VBA and Macros for Microsoft Excel 2007, by Bill Jelen "Mr.Excel" and Tracy Syrstad

Excel 2007 Book: you can try this...there is a try before you buy ebook available at this link…

by Stephen/ Bovey, Rob/ Green, John Bullen (Paperback - Feb 11, 2005)
Professional Excel Development

by Rob Bovey, Stephen Bullen, John Green, and Robert Rosenberg (Paperback - Sep 26, 2001)
Excel 2002 VBA: Programmers Reference

"Professional Excel Development" by Rob Bovey, Dennis Wallentin, Stephen Bullen, & John Green

DonkeyOte: My Recommended Reading, Volatility
Volatile Excel Functions -Decision Models

Sumproduct
http://www.xldynamic.com/source/xld.SUMPRODUCT.html

Arrays
VBA Array Basics
VBA Arrays
Excel: Introduction to Array Formulas - Xtreme Visual Basic Talk
Excel VBA Chpter 21: Array in Excel VBA

Array Dimensions in Visual Basic - Working with Dimensions (code and graphics)
Array Dimensions in Visual Basic

Shortcut Keys in Excel 2000 through 2007

Pivot Intro
Using Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts in Microsoft Excel
Office 2010 Class #36: Excel PivotTables Pivot Tables 15 examples (Data Analysis) - YouTube
Office 2010 Class #36: Excel PivotTables Pivot Tables 15 examples (Data Analysis) - YouTube
Getting Started with Pivot Tables
Excel Pivot Table -- Dynamic Data Source
Overview of PivotTable and PivotChart reports
Overview of PivotTable and PivotChart reports - Excel - Office.com
Build a Pivot Table in Excel VBA
Excel VBA - Build A Pivot Table In Excel VBA Tutorials

Email from XL - VBA
Mail from Excel example pages

Outlook VBA
Writing VBA code for Microsoft Outlook

Function Dictionary
http://www.xlfdic.com/

Function Translations
Excel 2007 function name translations - Dictionary Chart Front Page

Dynamic Named Ranges
Excel Names -- Excel Named Ranges

How to create Excel Dashboards
http://www.mrexcel.com/Excel-dashboards-Xcelsius.html
Excel Dashboard Templates
Excel Dashboards - Templates, Tutorials, Downloads and Examples | Chandoo.org - Learn Microsoft Excel Online
Excel Dashboards - Templates, Tutorials, Downloads and Examples | Chandoo.org - Learn Microsoft Excel Online
Free Microsoft Excel Dashboard Widgets to Download
AJP Excel Information - Gauge

Excel Dashboard / Scorecard Ebook
Excel Dashboards and Scorecards Ebook | How to Create Dashboards in Excel

Mike Alexander from Data Pig Technologies
Excel 2007 Dashboards and Reports For Dummies: Michael Alexander: 9780470228142: Amazon.com: Books

Templates
CPearson.com Topic Index
Excel Template - Golf Scores
Free Microsoft Excel Template Links & Search Engine

Microsoft Excel Cascading Listboxes Tutorial
Microsoft Excel Cascading Listboxes Tutorial - YouTube

Date & Time stamping:
McGimpsey & Associates : Excel : Time and date stamps

Get Formula / Formats thru custom functions:
Show FORMULA or FORMAT of another cell

A nice informative MS article "Improving Performance in Excel 2007"
Improving Performance in Excel 2007

Progress Meters
AJP Excel Information - Progress meters
Website Disabled

How to convert text to numbers in Excel
How to convert text to numbers in Excel

How to parse data from the web - Brett Fret has a video in YouTube
Excel VBA - Easily parse XML data from a file or website using XML Maps - YouTube

And, as your skills increase, try answering posts on sites like:
MrExcel.com | Excel Resources | Excel Seminars | Excel Products
Excel Help Forum
Excel Templates | Excel Add-ins and Excel Help with formulas and VBA Macros
VBA Express Portal
Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Word VBA Macro Automation Help

If you are willing to spend money for the training, then something here should work for you...
Amazon.com: excel tutorial dvd
Amazon.com: excel tutorial dvd

Advanced Excel Training - Online Excel Course
http://www.udemy.com/advanced-excel/

 

[JLGWhiz]

BTW Rblack40, If you come across some place where they tell you how to write code without making any errors, please post the information back to this site. Or even if you find a place where everything is explained in layman terms about how the different syntax works and why. I, for one would be extremely grateful for a source like that.