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