Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 1

Transcription

1 Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in TOPICS COVERED: 1) Recording Macros (0:00) 2) Adding the Developer Tab to the Ribbon (1:08) 3) Inserting a Code Module (3:20) 4) Creating the New Name Dialog Shortcut Subroutine (4:30) 5) Creating the Keyboard Shortcut (6:30) 6) Saving the Functionality as an Add-In (10:00) 7) Managing Add-Ins (11:35) 8) Creating the Name Box Shortcut Subroutine (13:05) 9) Creating the Keyboard Shortcut (14:45) Recording Macros (0:00) Typically, we can create macros using the Record Macro button located at the bottom left of your Excel window. Rather than use this feature, we are going to use the VB Editor to manually create our own Excel Add-In! Excited?! Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 1

2 Adding the Developer Tab to the Ribbon (1:08) We need to first add the Developer Tab in order to access the options located on the Developer Toolbar. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 2

3 (1) Click on the Office button. (2) Click on the 'Excel Options' button. Adding the Developer Tab to the Ribbon Check third option down (Show Developer tab in the Ribbon) and click the OK button. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 3

4 You Now Have the Developer Tab And you can now access the VB Editor via the toolbar. Of course, you can also use the shortcut Alt+F11 to go to the VB Editor. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 4

5 Inserting a Code Module (3:20) Right-click on ThisWorkbook. Select Insert --> Module. This will insert a code module into the VB Editor window. And within this code module, we can write any code that we want Excel to run. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 5

6 Creating the New Name Dialog Shortcut Subroutine (4:30) Because we will be creating many named ranges throughout this course, it would be nice to have a keyboard shortcut that will allow us to access the Name Manager and create a Named Range. Of course, you can access the Name Manager via the ribbon with Formulas --> Name Manager --> New... but the shortcut will allow us to access this dialog much more quickly. In the screenshot above, you can see that our code should be placed in Module 1. The subroutine, when invoked, will run through the code giving us some expected functionality. In this case, it is to fire the event that will show the xldialognewname dialog box. It is really that simple. Using the Immediate Window to Evaluate Code You can use the Immediate Window to evaluate lines of code. In the example above, we can find out the value of the constant xldialognewname (one of Excel's many hundreds of dialog boxes) by using the Print command. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 6

7 The constant xldialognewname is a much more meaningful name and, therefore, easier to understand than the constant 978 when reading one's code. Creating the Keyboard Shortcut (6:30) (1) Double-click on the ThisWorkbook object in the Project Window. (2) Select Workbook from the Code window. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 7

8 Creating the Keyboard Shortcut The dropdown menu at the right displays all of the Events associated to the Workbook object. The default event is 'Open' and it is already created in the code module for us. This procedure will fire whenever this workbook is opened, or launched. Creating the Keyboard Shortcut This subroutine invokes a procedure (New_Name_Dialog_Shortcut) using whatever key combination is specified (SHIFT+CTRL+N). In other words, whenever Excel senses that the key combination SHIFT + CTRL + N is pressed, it will run the procedure New_Name_Dialog_Shortcut. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 8

9 The OnKey Method in More Detail (not in the video) The OnKey method of the Application object will run a procedure when a particular key combination is pressed. We can use all keys on the keyboard in the OnKey method and in many different combinations. Some keys are represented with codes. For example, some typically used special keys are: SHIFT + (plus sign) CTRL ^ (caret) Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 9

10 ALT % (percent sign) Note that letters, when written in combination with other keys, must be surrounded by braces, { }. Braces are also referred to as curly brackets, squiggly brackets, and gullwings, among other names. For more special keys, you can go to the Microsoft Developer Network page. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 10

11 Saving the Functionality as an Add-In (10:00) We want to be able to utilize the functionality we just created in Excel when we open any workbook. To do this, we have to save our work as a special kind of Excel workbook with the extension XLA, which is an Excel Add-In workbook. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 11

12 (1) Click the Office Button. (2) Click Save As. (3) Click Other Formats. Saving the Functionality as an Add-In When the Save As dialog box pops up, you will select one of the.xla filetypes from the Save as type: dropdown menu, and click the Save button. **Note** For Excel 2007 and later versions, the.xlam file extension can be used. But this will not be backwards compatible for other users. If you need to create an add-in that is compatible with Excel Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 12

13 2003 and prior versions, then choose the.xla file extension. The default location for storing Excel add-ins is in the AddIns folder that resides within users documents folders. For example, C:\Documents and Settings\your_user_name\Application Data\Microsoft\AddIns. Managing Add-Ins (11:35) To now add our newly created Add-In to our working Excel app, we have to go to the Add-In Manager Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 13

14 located in the Excel Options (Office Button --> Excel Options). (1) Click Add-Ins (2) Click the Go button. Managing Add-Ins Simply activate your Add-In (Excelhero_Keyboard_Shortcuts) by clicking the checkbox, and click the OK button. Make sure to close down Excel and relaunch for your add-in to take effect! Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 14

15 New Name Dialog Shortcut! Congratulations! Now, when you click SHIFT+CTRL+N anywhere in any workbook, you will be prompted with the New Name Dialog. Creating the Name Box Shortcut Subroutine (13:05) We will not explain the procedure here since it makes calls to the Windows API which are too advanced for this part of the course. However, it should suffice to say that we are creating our shortcut procedure called NameBox_Shortcut. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 15

16 Creating the Keyboard Shortcut (14:45) Then, in the ThisWorkbook object, we will add a new shortcut key combination, again using the OnKey method. We will give it the key combination SHIFT+CTRL+Z. Again, make sure you save this workbook as a.xla file. Close down Excel and relaunch in order to use the new add-in functionality. Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 16

17 Name Box Shortcut! Voilà! By simply pressing the key combination SHIFT+CTRL+Z you can enter the name box to give a name to any range you select in the worksheet! Module 1 - EHA Shortcut Add-in - 17