Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Offering Options in a Macro.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 25, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
If you are just starting out developing macros, you may be looking for a simple way to offer a set of choices to a user, and then take an action based on the user's response. This is a relatively simple task, if you use the InputBox function, along with a Select Case structure.
The first task is to set up your InputBox so it displays the information to the user. For example, let's say you have five options, and you want the user to select one option from those five. You can use the following code to put together five options, each on their own line:
sPrompt = "1. This is your first choice" & vbCrLf sPrompt = sPrompt & "2. This is your second choice" & vbCrLf sPrompt = sPrompt & "3. This is your third choice" & vbCrLf sPrompt = sPrompt & "4. This is your fourth choice" & vbCrLf sPrompt = sPrompt & "5. This is your fifth choice"
You can now use the sPrompt string when you invoke the InputBox function in your macro. You then translate what the user responds with into a number that represents their choice from your five options. The code to do this is as follows:
sUserResp = InputBox(sPrompt, "The Big Question") iUR = Val(sUserResp)
In this example, the response from the InputBox function is assigned to the sUserResp variable, which should be a string. The iUR variable, which is a numeric variable (integer), is then set based on the value of the string. (The Val function returns the value in a string.)
The only thing left to do is to take an action based on which number was chosen, 1 through 5. You can use the Select Case structure to do this. The full subroutine could appear as follows in VBA:
Sub TestInput() Dim sPrompt As String Dim sUserResp As String Dim iUR As Integer sPrompt = "1. This is your first choice" & vbCrLf sPrompt = sPrompt & "2. This is your second choice" & vbCrLf sPrompt = sPrompt & "3. This is your third choice" & vbCrLf sPrompt = sPrompt & "4. This is your fourth choice" & vbCrLf sPrompt = sPrompt & "5. This is your fifth choice" iUR = 0 While iUR < 1 Or iUR > 5 sUserResp = InputBox(sPrompt, "The Big Question") iUR = Val(sUserResp) Wend Select Case iUR Case 1 'Do stuff for choice 1 here Case 2 'Do stuff for choice 2 here Case 3 'Do stuff for choice 3 here Case 4 'Do stuff for choice 4 here Case 5 'Do stuff for choice 5 here End Select End Sub
Notice that this example uses a While ... Wend loop around the InputBox function. This is done to make sure that the user enters a number between 1 and 5. If the value entered is outside that range, then the user is simply asked again.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1366) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Offering Options in a Macro.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
When a macro works with files, it often has to change between different directories on your disk drive. This is done ...
Discover MoreDo you routinely need to work with tomorrow's date? Why not create a template that automatically adds tomorrow's date to ...
Discover MoreWriting macros often involves selecting different parts of your document so that some sort of processing can be ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments