XL: How to Call a Macro Repeatedly on a Fixed Time Interval

ID: Q151503

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

You can call a macro repeatedly at a set time interval using the OnTime method and the Call statement.

MORE INFORMATION

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   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/
To call a macro four times at five-second intervals, follow these steps:

1. Type the following code into a new module sheet: 

      ' Module level declaration of icount, inumberofcalls. This line
      ' must be at the top of the module sheet
      Dim icount as Integer, inumberofcalls As Integer

      Sub StartOnTime()

          ' Initialize icount to 1.
          icount = 1

          ' Initialize inumberofcalls to 4.
          inumberofcalls = 4

          ' Select the range of cells for formatting.
          Range("A2:A" & inumberofcalls + 1).Select

          ' Format the selected cells as time.
          Selection.NumberFormat = "h:mm:ss AM/PM"

          ' Start in cell A1.
          Range("A1").Select

          ' Put the word "Time" in cell A1.
          ActiveCell.Value = "Time"

          ' Start the OnTimeMacro.
          Call OnTimeMacro

      End Sub

      Sub OnTimeMacro()

          ' Run the RunEvery5seconds macro inumberofcalls times.
          If icount <= inumberofcalls Then

              ' Run the RunEvery5seconds macro in 5 seconds.
              Application.OnTime Now + TimeValue("00:00:05"), _
                  "RunEvery5seconds"

              ' Increment icount by 1.
              icount = icount + 1

          Else

              ' Icount is greater than inumberofcalls, so exit the macro.
              Exit Sub

          End If

      End Sub

      Sub RunEvery5seconds()

          ' Places the current time in a cell.
          ActiveCell.Offset(icount - 1, 0).Value = Format(Now(), _
              "hh:mm:ss")

          ' Runs the OnTimeMacro again.
          Call OnTimeMacro

      End Sub
2. Run the macro StartOnTime. 

   The macro enters the time at which it ran into cells A2, A3, A4, and A5
   on Sheet1 of the active workbook.

REFERENCES

For more information about the OnTime method in Microsoft Excel 97, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "OnTime," click Search, and then click to view "OnTime Method."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q176476
   TITLE     : OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions
For more information about the OnTime method in Microsoft Excel version 7.0, click Answer Wizard on the Help menu and type: 

   OnTime
For more information about the OnTime method in Microsoft Excel version 5.0, click the Search button in Help and type: 

   OnTime
Additional query words: 5.00 5.00a 5.00c 7.00 8.00 XL98 XL97 XL7 XL5 timed 
Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode PgmHowto KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999