Excel: Using the WAIT() Macro Function

SUMMARY

The WAIT() macro function in Microsoft Excel suspends the execution of a macro, allowing you to introduce a pause or delay. The WAIT() function takes an argument in the form of a serial number. The macro resumes execution at the time specified by the serial number.

The following is a method for specifying a pause:

1. Calculate the duration of the desired pause in serial number form, that is, as a decimal fraction of one day, as in the following example:

      Time Interval        Serial Number Form
      -------------        ------------------
   
       1 day               1
       1 hour              1/24 = 0.04166667
       1 minute            1/(24*60) = 0.00069444
       1 second            1/(24*60*60) = 0.000011574
      10 seconds           10/(24*60*60) = 0.00011574
   
   

2. Add that time to the present time by entering the WAIT() function, as follows:

         =WAIT(NOW()+0.00011574)
   

   You also can combine the steps in one statement, as in the following example:

         =WAIT(NOW()+10/(24*60*60)
   

   Both of these macro statements pause the macro for 10 seconds and then resume.