Page 28 - Excel for Scientists and Engineers: Numerical Methods

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCING VISUAL BASIC FOR APPLICATIONS 5

procedures with arguments. Empty parentheses are still required even if a Sub
procedure uses no arguments.

Sub ProcedureName(Argument1, ...)
VBA statements
End Sub
Figure 1- 4. Structure of a Sub procedure.

The Structure of a Function Procedure
The structure of a Function procedure is shown in Figure 1-5. The
procedure begins with the keyword Function and ends with End Function. It
has a FunctionName, a unique identifier that you assign to it. The name should be
long enough to indicate the purpose of the function, but not too long, since you
will probably be typing it in your worksheet formulas. A Function procedure
usually takes one or more arguments; the names of the arguments should also be
descriptive. Empty parentheses are required even if a Function procedure takes
no arguments.

Function FunctionName(Argument1, ...)
VBA statements
FunctionName = result
End Function

Figure 1-5. Structure of a user-defined function.
The function's return statement directs the procedure to return the result to
the caller (usually the cell in which the function was entered). The return
statement consists of an assignment statement in which the name of the function
is equated to a value, for example,
FunctionName = result

Using the Recorder to Create a Sub Procedure

Excel provides the Recorder, a useful tool for creating command macros.
When you choose Macro from the Tools menu and Record New Macro.. . from
the submenu, all subsequent menu and keyboard actions will be recorded until
you press the Stop Macro button or choose Stop Recording from the Macro
submenu. The Recorder is convenient for creating simple macros that involve
only the use of menu or keyboard commands, but you can't use it to incorporate
logic, branching or looping.
The Recorder creates Visual Basic commands. You don't have to know
anything about Visual Basic to record a command macro in Visual Basic. This
provides a good way to gain some familiarity with Visual Basic.