XL: How to Create an Auto_Open Macro to Show Data Form Dialog

 Last reviewed: February 3, 1998
Article ID: Q142113
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0

SUMMARY

The following example uses an Auto_Open macro to select a specific sheet in a workbook and automatically display the data form dialog box.

NOTE: A macro named "auto_open" will be run each time you manually open the workbook that contains that macro.

MORE INFORMATION

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 engineers 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/default.asp

  • In a new workbook, enter the following data on Sheet1: 

       A1: Name    B1: Age   C1: Team
   A2: John    B2: 25    C2: Blue
   A3: Fred    B3: 32    C3: Red
   A4: Linda   B4: 28    C4: Blue
   A5: Joe     B5: 22    C5: Red

  • Select cells A1:C5.

  • On the Insert menu, click Name, and then click Define.

  • In the "Names In Workbook" box, type "Database" (without the quotation marks).

  • Click OK.

  • On the Insert menu, click Macro, and then click Module.

    In Microsoft Excel 97, press ALT+F11 to start the Visual Basic Editor.

    In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, press OPTION+F11 to start the Visual Basic Editor.

  • In the new module, type the following subroutine: 

          Sub auto_open()
         ' Activate the sheet that contains your database.
         Worksheets("Sheet1").Activate
         ' Select the range named "Database".
         Range("Database").Select
         ' Show the data form for the selected range.
         ActiveSheet.ShowDataForm
      End Sub

  • Save the file.

  • Close the file, then re-open it.

    When you open the file, the auto_open macro should be run, and the data form dialog box for the database will be displayed.

    The data form dialog box can be used to view, change, add, or delete a record in a list or database. A data form can also be used to find specific records based on criteria that you specify. A data form displays one complete record at a time. When you enter or edit data on the data form, Microsoft Excel changes the corresponding cells in the list. The data form dialog box automatically expands to display all the fields in your list, up to 32 fields.

    REFERENCES

    For more information about creating macros that run automatically in Microsoft Excel versions 7.0 and 97, click Answer Wizard on the Help menu and type: 

       How Do I Set Up a Workbook So That It Runs a Macro Each Time I
   Open It?
    For more information about creating macros that run automatically in Microsoft Excel version 5.0, choose the Search button in Help and type: 

       auto open files
    "Visual Basic User's Guide," version 5.0, Chapter 13, "Auto_Open Procedures"

    For additional information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

       ARTICLE-ID: Q163435
   TITLE     : VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for
               Applications

    • Additional query words: 5.00 5.00a 5.00c 7.00 8.00 XL97
    Keywords : kbcode kbprg PgmHowto
    Version : WINDOWS:5.0,,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,98
    Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
    Issue type : kbhowto

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    Last reviewed: February 3, 1998
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