Microsoft Vba String Array Initialize Line Continuation
This post provides an in-depth look at the VBA array which is a very important part of the Excel VBA programming language. It covers everything you need to know about the VBA array.
We will start by seeing what exactly is the VBA Array is and why you need it.
Below you will see a quick reference guide to using the VBA Array. Refer to it anytime you need a quick reminder of the VBA Array syntax.
The rest of the post provides the most complete guide you will find on the VBA array.
Contents
- 1 Related Links for the VBA Array
- 2 A Quick Guide to the VBA Array
- 3 Download the Source Code and Data
- 4 What is the VBA Array and Why do You Need It?
- 5 Two Types of VBA Arrays
- 6 VBA Array Initialization
- 7 Assigning Values to VBA Array
- 8 VBA Array Length
- 9 Using the Array and Split function
- 10 Using Loops With the VBA Array
- 10.1 Using the For Each Loop with the VBA Array
- 11 Using Erase with the VBA Array
- 12 Increasing the length of the VBA Array
- 12.1 Using Preserve with Two-Dimensional Arrays
- 13 Sorting the VBA Array
- 14 Passing the VBA Array to a Sub
- 15 Returning the VBA Array from a Function
- 16 Using a Two-Dimensional VBA Array
- 17 Using the For Each Loop
- 18 Reading from a Range to the VBA Array
- 19 How To Make Your Macros Run at Super Speed
- 20 Conclusion
- 21 What's Next?
Loops are used for reading through the VBA Array:
For Loop
For Each Loop
Other data structures in VBA:
VBA Collection – Good when you want to keep inserting items as it automatically resizes.
VBA ArrayList – This has more functionality than the Collection.
VBA Dictionary – Allows storing a Key\Value pair. Very useful in many applications.
The Microsoft guide for VBA Arrays can be found here.
A Quick Guide to the VBA Array
| Task | Static Array | Dynamic Array |
|---|---|---|
| Declare | Dim arr(0 To 5) As Long | Dim arr() As Long Dim arr As Variant |
| Set Size | See Declare above | ReDim arr(0 To 5)As Variant |
| Get Size(number of items) | See ArraySize function below. | See ArraySize function below. |
| Increase size (keep existing data) | Dynamic Only | ReDim Preserve arr(0 To 6) |
| Set values | arr(1) = 22 | arr(1) = 22 |
| Receive values | total = arr(1) | total = arr(1) |
| First position | LBound(arr) | LBound(arr) |
| Last position | Ubound(arr) | Ubound(arr) |
| Read all items(1D) | For i = LBound(arr) To UBound(arr) Next i Or For i = LBound(arr,1) To UBound(arr,1) Next i | For i = LBound(arr) To UBound(arr) Next i Or For i = LBound(arr,1) To UBound(arr,1) Next i |
| Read all items(2D) | For i = LBound(arr,1) To UBound(arr,1) For j = LBound(arr,2) To UBound(arr,2) Next j Next i | For i = LBound(arr,1) To UBound(arr,1) For j = LBound(arr,2) To UBound(arr,2) Next j Next i |
| Read all items | Dim item As Variant For Each item In arr Next item | Dim item As Variant For Each item In arr Next item |
| Pass to Sub | Sub MySub(ByRef arr() As String) | Sub MySub(ByRef arr() As String) |
| Return from Function | Function GetArray() As Long() Dim arr(0 To 5) As Long GetArray = arr End Function | Function GetArray() As Long() Dim arr() As Long GetArray = arr End Function |
| Receive from Function | Dynamic only | Dim arr() As Long Arr = GetArray() |
| Erase array | Erase arr *Resets all values to default | Erase arr *Deletes array |
| String to array | Dynamic only | Dim arr As Variant arr = Split("James:Earl:Jones",":") |
| Array to string | Dim sName As String sName = Join(arr, ":") | Dim sName As String sName = Join(arr, ":") |
| Fill with values | Dynamic only | Dim arr As Variant arr = Array("John", "Hazel", "Fred") |
| Range to Array | Dynamic only | Dim arr As Variant arr = Range("A1:D2") |
| Array to Range | Same as dynamic | Dim arr As Variant Range("A5:D6") = arr |
Download the Source Code and Data
Please click on the button below to get the fully documented source code for this article.
What is the VBA Array and Why do You Need It?
A VBA array is a type of variable. It is used to store lists of data of the same type. An example would be storing a list of countries or a list of weekly totals.
In VBA a normal variable can store only one value at a time.
In the following example we use a variable to store the marks of a student:
' Can only store 1 value at a time Dim Student1 As Long Student1 = 55
If we wish to store the marks of another student then we need to create a second variable.
In the following example, we have the marks of five students:
Student Marks
We are going to read these marks and write them to the Immediate Window.
Note: The function Debug.Print writes values to the Immediate Window. To view this window select View->Immediate Window from the menu( Shortcut is Ctrl + G)
As you can see in the following example we are writing the same code five times – once for each student:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub StudentMarks() ' Get the worksheet called "Marks" Dim sh As Worksheet Set sh = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Marks") ' Declare variable for each student Dim Student1 As Long Dim Student2 As Long Dim Student3 As Long Dim Student4 As Long Dim Student5 As Long ' Read student marks from cell Student1 = sh.Range("C" & 3).Value Student2 = sh.Range("C" & 4).Value Student3 = sh.Range("C" & 5).Value Student4 = sh.Range("C" & 6).Value Student5 = sh.Range("C" & 7).Value ' Print student marks Debug.Print "Students Marks" Debug.Print Student1 Debug.Print Student2 Debug.Print Student3 Debug.Print Student4 Debug.Print Student5 End Sub
The following is the output from the example:
Output
The problem with using one variable per student is that you need to add code for each student. Therefore if you had a thousand students in the above example you would need three thousand lines of code!
Luckily we have arrays to make our life easier. Arrays allow us to store a list of data items in one structure.
The following code shows the above student example using an array:
' ExcelMacroMastery.com ' https://excelmacromastery.com/excel-vba-array/ ' Author: Paul Kelly ' Description: Reads marks to an Array and write ' the array to the Immediate Window(Ctrl + G) ' TO RUN: Click in the sub and press F5 Public Sub StudentMarksArr() ' Get the worksheet called "Marks" Dim sh As Worksheet Set sh = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Marks") ' Declare an array to hold marks for 5 students Dim Students(1 To 5) As Long ' Read student marks from cells C3:C7 into array ' Offset counts rows from cell C2. ' e.g. i=1 is C2 plus 1 row which is C3 ' i=2 is C2 plus 2 rows which is C4 Dim i As Long For i = 1 To 5 Students(i) = sh.Range("C2").Offset(i).Value Next i ' Print student marks from the array to the Immediate Window Debug.Print "Students Marks" For i = LBound(Students) To UBound(Students) Debug.Print Students(i) Next i End Sub
The advantage of this code is that it will work for any number of students. If we have to change this code to deal with 1000 students we only need to change the (1 To 5) to (1 To 1000) in the declaration. In the prior example we would need to add approximately five thousand lines of code.
Let's have a quick comparison of variables and arrays. First we compare the declaration:
' Variable Dim Student As Long Dim Country As String ' Array Dim Students(1 To 3) As Long Dim Countries(1 To 3) As String
Next we compare assigning a value:
' assign value to variable Student1 = .Cells(1, 1) ' assign value to first item in array Students(1) = .Cells(1, 1)
Finally we look at writing the values:
' Print variable value Debug.Print Student1 ' Print value of first student in array Debug.Print Students(1)
As you can see, using variables and arrays is quite similar.
The fact that arrays use an index(also called a subscript) to access each item is important. It means we can easily access all the items in an array using a For Loop.
Now that you have some background on why arrays are useful let's go through them step by step.
Two Types of VBA Arrays
There are two types of VBA arrays:
- Static – an array of fixed length.
- Dynamic(not to be confused with the Excel Dynamic Array) – an array where the length is set at run time.
The difference between these types is mostly in how they are created. Accessing values in both array types is exactly the same. In the following sections we will cover both of these types.
VBA Array Initialization
A static array is initialized as follows:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub DecArrayStatic() ' Create array with locations 0,1,2,3 Dim arrMarks1(0 To 3) As Long ' Defaults as 0 to 3 i.e. locations 0,1,2,3 Dim arrMarks2(3) As Long ' Create array with locations 1,2,3,4,5 Dim arrMarks3(1 To 5) As Long ' Create array with locations 2,3,4 ' This is rarely used Dim arrMarks4(2 To 4) As Long End Sub
An Array of 0 to 3
As you can see the length is specified when you declare a static array. The problem with this is that you can never be sure in advance the length you need. Each time you run the Macro you may have different length requirements.
If you do not use all the array locations then the resources are being wasted. So if you need more locations you can use ReDim but this is essentially creating a new static array.
The dynamic array does not have such problems. You do not specify the length when you declare it. Therefore you can then grow and shrink as required:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub DecArrayDynamic() ' Declare dynamic array Dim arrMarks() As Long ' Set the length of the array when you are ready ReDim arrMarks(0 To 5) End Sub
The dynamic array is not allocated until you use the ReDim statement. The advantage is you can wait until you know the number of items before setting the array length. With a static array you have to state the length upfront.
To give an example. Imagine you were reading worksheets of student marks. With a dynamic array you can count the students on the worksheet and set an array to that length. With a static array you must set the length to the largest possible number of students.
Assigning Values to VBA Array
To assign values to an array you use the number of the location. You assign the value for both array types the same way:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub AssignValue() ' Declare array with locations 0,1,2,3 Dim arrMarks(0 To 3) As Long ' Set the value of position 0 arrMarks(0) = 5 ' Set the value of position 3 arrMarks(3) = 46 ' This is an error as there is no location 4 arrMarks(4) = 99 End Sub
The array with values assigned
The number of the location is called the subscript or index. The last line in the example will give a "Subscript out of Range" error as there is no location 4 in the array example.
VBA Array Length
There is no native function for getting the number of items in an array. I created the ArrayLength function below to return the number of items in any array no matter how many dimensions:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Function ArrayLength(arr As Variant) As Long On Error Goto eh ' Loop is used for multidimensional arrays. The Loop will terminate when a ' "Subscript out of Range" error occurs i.e. there are no more dimensions. Dim i As Long, length As Long length = 1 ' Loop until no more dimensions Do While True i = i + 1 ' If the array has no items then this line will throw an error Length = Length * (UBound(arr, i) - LBound(arr, i) + 1) ' Set ArrayLength here to avoid returing 1 for an empty array ArrayLength = Length Loop Done: Exit Function eh: If Err.Number = 13 Then ' Type Mismatch Error Err.Raise vbObjectError, "ArrayLength" _ , "The argument passed to the ArrayLength function is not an array." End If End Function
You can use it like this:
' Name: TEST_ArrayLength ' Author: Paul Kelly, ExcelMacroMastery.com ' Description: Tests the ArrayLength functions and writes ' the results to the Immediate Window(Ctrl + G) Sub TEST_ArrayLength() ' 0 items Dim arr1() As Long Debug.Print ArrayLength(arr1) ' 10 items Dim arr2(0 To 9) As Long Debug.Print ArrayLength(arr2) ' 18 items Dim arr3(0 To 5, 1 To 3) As Long Debug.Print ArrayLength(arr3) ' Option base 0: 144 items ' Option base 1: 50 items Dim arr4(1, 5, 5, 0 To 1) As Long Debug.Print ArrayLength(arr4) End Sub
Using the Array and Split function
You can use the Array function to populate an array with a list of items. You must declare the array as a type Variant. The following code shows you how to use this function.
Dim arr1 As Variant arr1 = Array("Orange", "Peach","Pear") Dim arr2 As Variant arr2 = Array(5, 6, 7, 8, 12)
Contents of arr1 after using the Array function
The array created by the Array Function will start at index zero unless you use Option Base 1 at the top of your module. Then it will start at index one. In programming, it is generally considered poor practice to have your actual data in the code. However, sometimes it is useful when you need to test some code quickly.
The Split function is used to split a string into an array based on a delimiter. A delimiter is a character such as a comma or space that separates the items.
The following code will split the string into an array of four elements:
Dim s As String s = "Red,Yellow,Green,Blue" Dim arr() As String arr = Split(s, ",")
The array after using Split
The Split function is normally used when you read from a comma-separated file or another source that provides a list of items separated by the same character.
Using Loops With the VBA Array
Using a For Loop allows quick access to all items in an array. This is where the power of using arrays becomes apparent. We can read arrays with ten values or ten thousand values using the same few lines of code. There are two functions in VBA called LBound and UBound. These functions return the smallest and largest subscript in an array. In an array arrMarks(0 to 3) the LBound will return 0 and UBound will return 3.
The following example assigns random numbers to an array using a loop. It then prints out these numbers using a second loop.
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub ArrayLoops() ' Declare array Dim arrMarks(0 To 5) As Long ' Fill the array with random numbers Dim i As Long For i = LBound(arrMarks) To UBound(arrMarks) arrMarks(i) = 5 * Rnd Next i ' Print out the values in the array Debug.Print "Location", "Value" For i = LBound(arrMarks) To UBound(arrMarks) Debug.Print i, arrMarks(i) Next i End Sub
The functions LBound and UBound are very useful. Using them means our loops will work correctly with any array length. The real benefit is that if the length of the array changes we do not have to change the code for printing the values. A loop will work for an array of any length as long as you use these functions.
Using the For Each Loop with the VBA Array
You can use the For Each loop with arrays. The important thing to keep in mind is that it is Read-Only. This means that you cannot change the value in the array.
In the following code the value of mark changes but it does not change the value in the array.
For Each mark In arrMarks ' Will not change the array value mark = 5 * Rnd Next mark
The For Each is loop is fine to use for reading an array. It is neater to write especially for a Two-Dimensional array as we will see.
Dim mark As Variant For Each mark In arrMarks Debug.Print mark Next mark
Using Erase with the VBA Array
The Erase function can be used on arrays but performs differently depending on the array type.
For a static Array the Erase function resets all the values to the default. If the array is made up of long integers(i.e type Long) then all the values are set to zero. If the array is of strings then all the strings are set to "" and so on.
For a Dynamic Array the Erase function DeAllocates memory. That is, it deletes the array. If you want to use it again you must use ReDim to Allocate memory.
Let's have a look an example for the static array. This example is the same as the ArrayLoops example in the last section with one difference – we use Erase after setting the values. When the value are printed out they will all be zero:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub EraseStatic() ' Declare array Dim arrMarks(0 To 3) As Long ' Fill the array with random numbers Dim i As Long For i = LBound(arrMarks) To UBound(arrMarks) arrMarks(i) = 5 * Rnd Next i ' ALL VALUES SET TO ZERO Erase arrMarks ' Print out the values - there are all now zero Debug.Print "Location", "Value" For i = LBound(arrMarks) To UBound(arrMarks) Debug.Print i, arrMarks(i) Next i End Sub
We will now try the same example with a dynamic. After we use Erase all the locations in the array have been deleted. We need to use ReDim if we wish to use the array again.
If we try to access members of this array we will get a "Subscript out of Range" error:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub EraseDynamic() ' Declare array Dim arrMarks() As Long ReDim arrMarks(0 To 3) ' Fill the array with random numbers Dim i As Long For i = LBound(arrMarks) To UBound(arrMarks) arrMarks(i) = 5 * Rnd Next i ' arrMarks is now deallocated. No locations exist. Erase arrMarks End Sub
Increasing the length of the VBA Array
If we use ReDim on an existing array, then the array and its contents will be deleted.
In the following example, the second ReDim statement will create a completely new array. The original array and its contents will be deleted.
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Sub UsingRedim() Dim arr() As String ' Set array to be slots 0 to 2 ReDim arr(0 To 2) arr(0) = "Apple" ' Array with apple is now deleted ReDim arr(0 To 3) End Sub
If we want to extend the length of an array without losing the contents, we can use the Preserve keyword.
When we use Redim Preserve the new array must start at the same starting dimension e.g.
We cannot Preserve from (0 to 2) to (1 to 3) or to (2 to 10) as they are different starting dimensions.
In the following code we create an array using ReDim and then fill the array with types of fruit.
We then use Preserve to extend the length of the array so we don't lose the original contents:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Sub UsingRedimPreserve() Dim arr() As String ' Set array to be slots 0 to 1 ReDim arr(0 To 2) arr(0) = "Apple" arr(1) = "Orange" arr(2) = "Pear" ' Reset the length and keep original contents ReDim Preserve arr(0 To 5) End Sub
You can see from the screenshots below, that the original contents of the array have been "Preserved".
Before ReDim Preserve
After ReDim Preserve
Word of Caution: In most cases, you shouldn't need to resize an array like we have done in this section. If you are resizing an array multiple times then you may want to consider using a Collection.
Using Preserve with Two-Dimensional Arrays
Preserve only works with the upper bound of an array.
For example, if you have a two-dimensional array you can only preserve the second dimension as this example shows:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Sub Preserve2D() Dim arr() As Long ' Set the starting length ReDim arr(1 To 2, 1 To 5) ' Change the length of the upper dimension ReDim Preserve arr(1 To 2, 1 To 10) End Sub
If we try to use Preserve on a lower bound we will get the "Subscript out of range" error.
In the following code we use Preserve on the first dimension. Running this code will give the "Subscript out of range" error:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Sub Preserve2DError() Dim arr() As Long ' Set the starting length ReDim arr(1 To 2, 1 To 5) ' "Subscript out of Range" error ReDim Preserve arr(1 To 5, 1 To 5) End Sub
When we read from a range to an array, it automatically creates a two-dimensional array, even if we have only one column.
The same Preserve rules apply. We can only use Preserve on the upper bound as this example shows:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Sub Preserve2DRange() Dim arr As Variant ' Assign a range to an array arr = Sheet1.Range("A1:A5").Value ' Preserve will work on the upper bound only ReDim Preserve arr(1 To 5, 1 To 7) End Sub
Sorting the VBA Array
There is no function in VBA for sorting an array. We can sort the worksheet cells but this could be slow if there is a lot of data.
The QuickSort function below can be used to sort an array.
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Sub QuickSort(arr As Variant, first As Long, last As Long) Dim vCentreVal As Variant, vTemp As Variant Dim lTempLow As Long Dim lTempHi As Long lTempLow = first lTempHi = last vCentreVal = arr((first + last) \ 2) Do While lTempLow <= lTempHi Do While arr(lTempLow) < vCentreVal And lTempLow < last lTempLow = lTempLow + 1 Loop Do While vCentreVal < arr(lTempHi) And lTempHi > first lTempHi = lTempHi - 1 Loop If lTempLow <= lTempHi Then ' Swap values vTemp = arr(lTempLow) arr(lTempLow) = arr(lTempHi) arr(lTempHi) = vTemp ' Move to next positions lTempLow = lTempLow + 1 lTempHi = lTempHi - 1 End If Loop If first < lTempHi Then QuickSort arr, first, lTempHi If lTempLow < last Then QuickSort arr, lTempLow, last End Sub
You can use this function like this:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Sub TestSort() ' Create temp array Dim arr() As Variant arr = Array("Banana", "Melon", "Peach", "Plum", "Apple") ' Sort array QuickSort arr, LBound(arr), UBound(arr) ' Print arr to Immediate Window(Ctrl + G) Dim i As Long For i = LBound(arr) To UBound(arr) Debug.Print arr(i) Next i End Sub
Passing the VBA Array to a Sub
Sometimes you will need to pass an array to a procedure. You declare the parameter using parenthesis similar to how you declare a dynamic array.
Passing to the procedure using ByRef means you are passing a reference of the array. So if you change the array in the procedure it will be changed when you return.
Note: When you use an array as a parameter it cannot use ByVal, it must use ByRef. You can pass the array using ByVal making the parameter a variant.
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ ' Passes array to a Function Public Sub PassToProc() Dim arr(0 To 5) As String ' Pass the array to function UseArray arr End Sub Public Function UseArray(ByRef arr() As String) ' Use array Debug.Print UBound(arr) End Function
Returning the VBA Array from a Function
It is important to keep the following in mind. If you want to change an existing array in a procedure then you should pass it as a parameter using ByRef(see last section). You do not need to return the array from the procedure.
The main reason for returning an array is when you use the procedure to create a new one. In this case you assign the return array to an array in the caller. This array cannot be already allocated. In other words you must use a dynamic array that has not been allocated.
The following examples show this
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub TestArray() ' Declare dynamic array - not allocated Dim arr() As String ' Return new array arr = GetArray End Sub Public Function GetArray() As String() ' Create and allocate new array Dim arr(0 To 5) As String ' Return array GetArray = arr End Function
Using a Two-Dimensional VBA Array
The arrays we have been looking at so far have been one-dimensional arrays. This means the arrays are one list of items.
A two-dimensional array is essentially a list of lists. If you think of a single spreadsheet row as a single dimension then more than one column is two dimensional. In fact a spreadsheet is the equivalent of a two-dimensional array. It has two dimensions – rows and columns.
One small thing to note is that Excel treats a one-dimensional array as a row if you write it to a spreadsheet. In other words, the array arr(1 to 5) is equivalent to arr(1 to 1, 1 to 5) when writing values to the spreadsheet.
The following image shows two groups of data. The first is a one-dimensional layout and the second is two dimensional.
To access an item in the first set of data(1 dimensional) all you need to do is give the row e.g. 1,2, 3 or 4.
For the second set of data (two-dimensional), you need to give the row AND the column. So you can think of 1 dimensional being multiple columns and one row and two-dimensional as being multiple rows and multiple columns.
Note: It is possible to have more than two dimensions in an array. It is rarely required. If you are solving a problem using a 3+ dimensional array then there probably is a better way to do it.
You declare a two-dimensional array as follows:
Dim ArrayMarks(0 To 2,0 To 3) As Long
The following example creates a random value for each item in the array and the prints the values to the Immediate Window:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub TwoDimArray() ' Declare a two dimensional array Dim arrMarks(0 To 3, 0 To 2) As String ' Fill the array with text made up of i and j values Dim i As Long, j As Long For i = LBound(arrMarks) To UBound(arrMarks) For j = LBound(arrMarks, 2) To UBound(arrMarks, 2) arrMarks(i, j) = CStr(i) & ":" & CStr(j) Next j Next i ' Print the values in the array to the Immediate Window Debug.Print "i", "j", "Value" For i = LBound(arrMarks) To UBound(arrMarks) For j = LBound(arrMarks, 2) To UBound(arrMarks, 2) Debug.Print i, j, arrMarks(i, j) Next j Next i End Sub
You can see that we use a second For loop inside the first loop to access all the items.
The output of the example looks like this:
How this Macro works is as follows:
- Enters the i loop
- i is set to 0
- Entersj loop
- j is set to 0
- j is set to 1
- j is set to 2
- Exit j loop
- i is set to 1
- j is set to 0
- j is set to 1
- j is set to 2
- And so on until i=3 and j=2
You may notice that LBound and UBound have a second argument with the value 2. This specifies that it is the upper or lower bound of the second dimension. That is the start and end location for j. The default value 1 which is why we do not need to specify it for the i loop.
Using the For Each Loop
Using a For Each is neater to use when reading from an array.
Let's take the code from above that writes out the two-dimensional array
' Using For loop needs two loops Debug.Print "i", "j", "Value" For i = LBound(arrMarks) To UBound(arrMarks) For j = LBound(arrMarks, 2) To UBound(arrMarks, 2) Debug.Print i, j, arrMarks(i, j) Next j Next i
Now let's rewrite it using a For each loop. You can see we only need one loop and so it is much easier to write:
' Using For Each requires only one loop Debug.Print "Value" Dim mark As Variant For Each mark In arrMarks Debug.Print mark Next mark
Using the For Each loop gives us the array in one order only – from LBound to UBound. Most of the time this is all you need.
Reading from a Range to the VBA Array
If you have read my previous post on Cells and Ranges then you will know that VBA has an extremely efficient way of reading from a Range of Cells to an Array and vice versa
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub ReadToArray() ' Declare dynamic array Dim StudentMarks As Variant ' Read values into array from first row StudentMarks = Range("A1:Z1").Value ' Write the values back to the third row Range("A3:Z3").Value = StudentMarks End Sub
The dynamic array created in this example will be a two dimensional array. As you can see we can read from an entire range of cells to an array in just one line.
The next example will read the sample student data below from C3:E6 of Sheet1 and print them to the Immediate Window:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub ReadAndDisplay() ' Get Range Dim rg As Range Set rg = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("C3:E6") ' Create dynamic array Dim StudentMarks As Variant ' Read values into array from sheet1 StudentMarks = rg.Value ' Print the array values Debug.Print "i", "j", "Value" Dim i As Long, j As Long For i = LBound(StudentMarks) To UBound(StudentMarks) For j = LBound(StudentMarks, 2) To UBound(StudentMarks, 2) Debug.Print i, j, StudentMarks(i, j) Next j Next i End Sub
Sample Student data
Output from sample data
As you can see the first dimension(accessed using i) of the array is a row and the second is a column. To demonstrate this take a look at the value 44 in E4 of the sample data. This value is in row 2 column 3 of our data. You can see that 44 is stored in the array at StudentMarks(2,3).
You can see more about using arrays with ranges in this YouTube video
How To Make Your Macros Run at Super Speed
If your macros are running very slow then you may find this section very helpful. Especially if you are dealing with large amounts of data. The following is a very well-kept secret in VBA
Updating values in arrays is exponentially faster than updating values in cells.
In the last section, you saw how we can easily read from a group of cells to an array and vice versa. If we are updating a lot of values then we can do the following:
1. Copy the data from the cells to an array.
2. Change the data in the array.
3. Copy the updated data from the array back to the cells.
For example, the following code would be much faster than the code below it:
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Public Sub ReadToArray() ' Read values into array from first row Dim StudentMarks As Variant StudentMarks = Range("A1:Z20000").Value Dim i As Long For i = LBound(StudentMarks) To UBound(StudentMarks) ' Update marks here StudentMarks(i, 1) = StudentMarks(i, 1) * 2 '... Next i ' Write the new values back to the worksheet Range("A1:Z20000").Value = StudentMarks End Sub
' https://excelmacromastery.com/ Sub UsingCellsToUpdate() Dim c As Variant For Each c In Range("A1:Z20000") c.Value = ' Update values here Next c End Sub
Assigning from one set of cells to another is also much faster than using Copy and Paste:
' Assigning - this is faster Range("A1:A10").Value = Range("B1:B10").Value ' Copy Paste - this is slower Range("B1:B1").Copy Destination:=Range("A1:A10")
The following comments are from two readers who used arrays to speed up their macros
"A couple of my projects have gone from almost impossible and long to run into almost too easy and a reduction in time to run from 10:1." – Dane
"One report I did took nearly 3 hours to run when accessing the cells directly — 5 minutes with arrays" – Jim
You can see more about the speed of Arrays compared to other methods in this YouTube video.
To see a comparison between Find, Match and Arrays it is worth checking out this post by Charles Williams.
Conclusion
The following is a summary of the main points of this post
- Arrays are an efficient way of storing a list of items of the same type.
- You can access an array item directly using the number of the location which is known as the subscript or index.
- The common error "Subscript out of Range" is caused by accessing a location that does not exist.
- There are two types of arrays: Static and Dynamic.
- Static is used when the length of the array is always the same.
- Dynamic arrays allow you to determine the length of an array at run time.
- LBound and UBound provide a safe way of find the smallest and largest subscripts of the array.
- The basic array is one dimensional. You can also have multidimensional arrays.
- You can only pass an array to a procedure using ByRef. You do this like this: ByRef arr() as long.
- You can return an array from a function but the array, it is assigned to, must not be currently allocated.
- A worksheet with its rows and columns is essentially a two-dimensional array.
- You can read directly from a worksheet range into a two-dimensional array in just one line of code.
- You can also write from a two-dimensional array to a range in just one line of code.
What's Next?
Free VBA Tutorial If you are new to VBA or you want to sharpen your existing VBA skills then why not try The Ultimate VBA Tutorial.
Related Training: Get full access to the Excel VBA training webinars.
(NOTE: Planning to build or manage a VBA Application? Learn how to build 10 Excel VBA applications from scratch.)
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Source: https://excelmacromastery.com/excel-vba-array/
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