XL: Evaluate Method Affects Volatility of Custom Functions

ID: Q134943

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, a custom function created using Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications may not return the expected result.

CAUSE

The custom function may not return the expected result if the following conditions are true:

The custom function is set up to be volatile.
-and-
The Evaluate method is being used in the custom function.
-and-
The Volatile method appears in the function above the Evaluate method.
-and-
The custom function is being called from a worksheet cell.

When the above conditions are true, the custom function will return a correct result when the function is initially entered. However, the function will not be recalculated when the worksheet that is calling the function is subsequently recalculated.

RESOLUTION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

To resolve this problem, place the line of macro code that contains the Volatile method after the line of macro code that contains the Evaluate method, as in the following two lines of code:

   variable = ActiveSheet.Evaluate(argument)
   Application.Volatile

NOTE: The above two lines of code will not work in a macro if typed exactly as shown. Their purpose is to illustrate the relative positions for these two methods if you want your code to work properly.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: 5.0 5.0a 5.0c 7.0 7.0a

Keywords          : kbcode kbprg PgmOthr 
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0c,7.0; WINDOWS:5.0,5.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999