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Macros For Reflections. Christopher Guertin VAMC – West Palm Beach, FL Christopher.Guertin@VA.GOV. Objectives. Define what a Macro is Tell the differences between VB and VBA Record a Macro Edit a Recorded Macro Create a Macro Explain when and why we would use a Macro in Reflections.
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Macros For Reflections Christopher Guertin VAMC – West Palm Beach, FL Christopher.Guertin@VA.GOV
Objectives • Define what a Macro is • Tell the differences between VB and VBA • Record a Macro • Edit a Recorded Macro • Create a Macro • Explain when and why we would use a Macro in Reflections
What is a Macro • Macro (noun) Webster Dictionary • a single computer instruction that stands for a sequence of operations • Sometimes referred to as: Macroinstruction
VB vs VBA VB – Visual Basic VBA- Visual Basic For Applications Requires an Application Reflections Excel Word Access Is complied and run within inside the host only Uses same Syntax as VB • Standalone • Can be used complied into an executable and run outside the host • Uses same syntax as VBA
Why use a Macro • Saves Times • Consistent Data • Easy to make both minor and major changes • Exportable / Importable • Multiple + Easier to use interfaces • Allows for User Input • Software Already Available
What a Macro Can Do • Automating almost anything • Mouse, Keyboard, Options on Menu • Creating Dialog Boxes or User Forms • Passing Data Between Applications • Error Checking and Handling
Benefits of Macros for Reflections • Examples: • Change Screen Fonts, Color, Size • Assign Functions to Keys • Allow User Input for Fileman Reports • Allow Fileman Reports to be Dynamic • Clean up “Dirty Data” • Complete Repetitive Tasks • Works well with Fileman • Transfer Data to/from MS Office Products • No Programmer Access Required
Security • DO NOT put your username or password into a macro to use as an AutoLogin • Code Entered is generally not considered Encrypted
Naming a Macro • Must start with letter • May Contain Numbers, Letters • May use an Underscore • 80 Character Max • No Special Characters or Spaces • Example: INPT_WORKLOAD_2011
How to Record • Macro Start Recording • Stop, Pause, Annotate • Can Edit, Create button, Map to key
How to Edit Macro • Macro Macros Edit
Creating Macro • Macro Macros • Type in name under Macro Name:
Assigning Macro to Key • Setup Keyboard Map
Assigning Macro to Mouse Button • Setup Mouse Map
Assigning to Button on Toolbar • Right Click Tool Bar • Setup Toolbars Customize New Button • After Recording – Check – Create Button
Stopping a Macro • Macro Stop Macro • Ctrl+Break • Create a Button
Saving Macro • File Save As
Saving Tool Bars • Setup Toolbar… Settings
Customize Quick Access Toolbar • Customize Quick Access Toolbar More Commands Customize
Adding / Removing Object Libraries • Tools References
User Input • Wait for Input into Reflections • Message Box to Help • Input Box • User Form
User Form • Could be a course all by itself • Many Options • Label • Text Box • Combo Box • List Box
Date Converter • Converts Date to Format Useable by VISTA
Format Date / Time • Format() • Format(expression[, format[, firstdayofweek[, firstweekofyear]]]) • strDate = Format(strDate, "dddd,mmm d yyyy") • Wednesday, Aug 3 2011 • MyStr = Format(strTime, "hh:mm:ss AMPM") • 05:14:03 AM
Expressions • Operators • Arithmetic • +, -, *, / • Comparison • >, < , = • Concatenation • &, + • Logical • And, Not, Or
Variables • Variables • Naming • Must start with letter • Can be up to 255 characters • Cannot contain a Space but can use underscore • Cannot contain Operators or Special Characters
Variable Life • Should be declared • Procedure • Only for that Procedure • Automatically declared • Dim strDRUG as String • Private • All Procedures in the Module • Private strDRUG as String • Public • All Procedures in All Modules of Project • Public strDRUG as String
Statements • If - Then • If – Then – Else • If – Then – ElseIf – Else • GoTo • Select Case
Loops • For – Next • For Each – Next • Do While – Loop • Do – Loop While • While – Wend • Do Until – Loop • Do – Loop Until
Functions • Format • Transmit • WaitForString • Ucase • Lcase • Able to create your own • Allows for only one set of code(refer to it)
Good Habits • ‘ Apostrophe • for comment(will not run) • Comment • Top: User, Date, Explain Function • After Code • Declare Variables at Top • TALLman Lettering • Use Error Handler • Try to make more universal
Good Habits • Create in Test Account if possible • Be careful and use checks when user will be creating orders • Validate Data
Switch Column Size • Create Buttons to Change Column Size
Changing the Color of the Screen • Differentiate Screens • Allows users to easily change to preferred color scheme
How to Run Macro • Macro Macros • Select from list and click Run
Run a Macro • Click on Button Created