Chapter 2
Getting Cozy with the Visual Basic Editor
IN THIS CHAPTER
Understanding the Visual Basic Editor components
Working with the Project Explorer
Using a Code pane
Customizing the Visual Basic Editor
The Visual Basic Editor (VBE) is the environment where all Excel macros are written or recorded. The VBE is included with Excel free of charge. Even if you never record one macro, the VBE is in the background waiting to be used. When you create a macro, the VBE quietly comes to life ready to process the various procedures and routines you give it.
In this chapter, you take your first look behind the curtain to explore the VBE.
Working in the Visual Basic Editor
The VBE is actually a separate application that runs when you open Excel. To see this hidden VBE environment, you need to activate it. With Excel open, one of these two ways does the trick:
- Press Alt+F11.
- Click the Visual Basic button on the Ribbon’s Developer tab.
To return to Excel, press Alt+F11 or click the Close button in the VBE.
Figure 2-1 shows the VBE with the key parts identified. Chances are your VBE program ...