Running A Macro When A Worksheet Is Deactivated In Excel

Ready to save time and increase productivity? You don’t need a degree in computer science to know how to set a macro to run in Excel when a worksheet is deactivated. Get the how-to in this article, and make managing data easier.

What are Macros?

Macros are a way to automate tedious, time-consuming tasks in Excel. Instead of doing each task over and over again, they allow you to record a sequence of actions and play them back with one click.

To create a macro:

1. Open the workbook where it will be used.
2. Go to the “View” tab and click “Macros“.
3. Name your macro accurately.
4. Record your desired actions by clicking “Record“, performing the actions, and then clicking “Stop Recording“.

Using macros can save time and effort. They trigger set tasks when needed and reduce errors caused by manual repetition. Plus, macros can improve efficiency by allowing you to automate complex sequences of tasks without programming skills.

In the next section, we’ll look at more specific advantages of using macros in Excel workflows.

The Advantages of Using Macros

Macros have the power to automate tasks, saving precious time. Let’s explore their advantages in detail! Here is a 5-step guide outlining them:

1. Reduce manual steps for an efficient workflow.
2. Consistent results mean less human error.
3. Reuse macros for future projects.
4. Customize them to individual needs.
5. Create macros without being a programmer!

Macros do more than automate tasks. They are flexible and can perform a range of functions, like formatting cells or creating charts. They let you analyze data and make complex calculations that would be too difficult to do by hand.

Pro Tip: Give macros clear, meaningful names that describe what they do so you can quickly identify them later.

Learn how to trigger a macro when a worksheet is deactivated.

How to Trigger a Macro When a Worksheet is Deactivated

Do you ever want a macro to start when you deactivate a worksheet in Excel? Great news – it’s simple to do, no complicated coding needed. This discussion will tell you how.

Firstly, we’ll look at how to use the Worksheet_Deactivate event to get the macro going.

Then, I’ll show you how to make the macro from scratch and assign it to the worksheet.

Finally, we’ll test the macro’s functionality and you’ll be ready to trigger macros on deactivating Excel sheets.

Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by James Duncun

Using the Worksheet_Deactivate Event

1. Step 1: Open your workbook. Select the worksheet you want to create an event for.
2. Step 2: Right-click on the sheet tab. Select “View Code” from the context menu.
3. Step 3: Paste the code below in the editor window that opens:
   Private Sub Worksheet_Deactivate()
   ‘Macro goes here
   End Sub
4. Step 4: Replace ‘Macro goes here’ with the code you want to run when the worksheet is deactivated.

Using the Worksheet_Deactivate Event can help in many ways. For instance, save data or format changes when a user leaves a sheet. Automate such actions and save time.

You can also prevent users from making changes that could affect calculations. For example, if you have certain cells locked or protected, activating them accidentally could disrupt important data. This event can ensure any changes are undone immediately.

One user shared they used the event to check for errors before deactivating their input sheet. This saved time and reduced errors.

There are many other events in Excel VBA you can use to automate tasks. Familiarise yourself with these and sample code snippets online. You can create custom solutions for your needs.

Creating macros can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With practice, you can create simple macros that save time and streamline processes. In the next section, explore the steps involved in creating a macro from scratch.

Creating the Macro

Create a macro that runs when a worksheet deactivates in Excel. Follow these 6 simple steps!

1. Open Excel and navigate to the “Developer” tab.
2. Click the “Visual Basic” button.
3. In the Project Explorer pane, right-click on the workbook name and choose “Insert” -> “Module”.
4. In the new module window, type the VBA code for the macro.
5. Close the module window and go back to the worksheet.
6. Right-click on the worksheet tab and select “View Code”.
7. Paste this VBA code: Private Sub Worksheet_Deactivate()Call YOUR_MACRO_NAME End Sub.
8. Then, your macro will run automatically when the sheet deactivates.

Fun Fact:

Microsoft Excel first released for Apple Macs in 1985. IBM-compatible PCs got a version in 1987.

Assigning the Macro to the Worksheet:

Now, assign the macro to a particular worksheet so it activates only when that sheet deactivates.

Assigning the Macro to the Worksheet

Open Excel and choose the worksheet you want to link with your macro. Press Alt + F11 or go to the “Developer” tab and select “Visual Basic” from the “Code” group.

Right-click on “ThisWorkbook” object in the project explorer and select “View Code”. This will open a new module.

When the module is open, paste your macro code there.

Now, whenever a user selects another sheet, your macro will run automatically as long as this particular sheet is deactivated. This makes it easier to automate tasks without manually running macros.

To assign macros, name modules and sheet-associated codes logically, so other developers or team members can understand what each code section does.

Testing the macro’s functionality is important, to make sure your macro works properly and triggers smoothly when someone deactivates a particular worksheet. We will discuss how to test this in the next part of our guide.

Testing the Macro’s Functionality

Testing macros in Excel? Here’s a quick guide to help you get started!

1. Open your workbook and navigate to the worksheet with the macro.
2. Activate it by clicking its tab.
3. Then, run the macro with its assigned hotkey or through the interface.
4. Observe any errors or strange behavior.
5. If you encounter any issues, review the code and make adjustments.

That’s it! Take time to test your macros and ensure they’re working properly – your future self will thank you!

FAQs about Running A Macro When A Worksheet Is Deactivated In Excel

How can I run a macro when a worksheet is deactivated in Excel?

To run a macro when a worksheet is deactivated, you can use the Worksheet_Deactivate event in VBA. This event is triggered when you switch to another worksheet or another application.

What is a macro?

A macro is a set of instructions that can be used to automate tasks in Excel. Macros are written in VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), which is a programming language used in Microsoft Office.

Can I assign a keyboard shortcut to run the macro?

Yes, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to run the macro. To do this, go to the Developer tab, click on Macros, select your macro, and click on Options. Then, enter a letter in the Shortcut key box, and click on OK. You can now run the macro by pressing the Ctrl key and the letter you assigned.

How can I disable the macro from running?

To disable the macro from running, you can delete the code or comment it out in the VBA Editor. Alternatively, you can simply remove the line of code that calls the macro.

Can I run a macro when a specific cell is changed in the worksheet?

Yes, you can run a macro when a specific cell is changed by using the Worksheet_Change event in VBA. This event is triggered when a cell is changed in the worksheet.

What is the difference between a sub and a function in VBA?

A sub is a procedure that performs a task, but it does not return a value. A function, on the other hand, returns a value. In other words, a function is a sub that has a return value.