Macro to paste a string as plain text into the active cell, then accomodate more text from keyboard

[Ryan_N]

Pretty simple

I wish to press, say, F1 (Windows OS) and have something like "XZ" print in the active cell as plain text, but in such a way that I can then enter "123" on the keypad to result in XZ123 before I hope out of the cell. That's it! The only caveat is that I wish the automation to exist only on my computer, because the .xls is a shared file used by others.

Huge thanks in advance for any guidance! I realize this is crazy-simple but I honestly can't figure out how to do it. Cheers!

 

[DacEasy]

Hi, This might work for you.

Sub PasteTextWithEsc()
    ' In order to run from View Macro or
    ' Assign to a button, you will need to call Private Subs from a Sub
    '
    Call assignESCkey
End Sub

Private Sub assignESCkey()
    'When ESC is pressed, call macro dataToPaste.
    'For other keys, visit https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/api/excel.application.onkey
    'But I don't recall ever using ESC in Excel, I normally click the X.
    '
    Application.OnKey "{ESC}", "dataToPaste"
End Sub

Private Sub dataToPaste()
    'The below controls what is placed in the ActiveCell.
    'Hardcode it by replacing XZ or use cell A2 from the right workbook.
    '
    Dim wbs As Workbook: Set wbs = Workbooks("forPasteTextWithESC.xlsm")
    Dim mws As Worksheet: Set mws = wbs.Worksheets("Sheet1")
    
    If Range("A2").Value = "" Then
        ActiveCell.Value = "XZ"
    Else
       ActiveCell.Value = mws.Range("A2").Value
    End If
        
    Application.SendKeys "{F2}" 'Edit the cell
End Sub

Sub stopPasting()
    'In case you want to stop it.
    Application.OnKey "{ESC}", Null
End Sub