general syntax question re: "open ended" macros

[Nardar]

I think this should be a new thread ...

I often want to simplify the steps to get to a particular window so I can make specific choices. Yesterday, it was getting to the Custom Color tab. The steps are Format Cells, Fill, More Colors, Custom. Since there's no way to stop recording the steps when I get there, it needed VBA language, which cantosh - God bless him - came up with for me.

This leads me to ask what the general syntax would be for this kind of macro - one that you can't stop recording when you get to your destination. I know virtually nothing about VBA, nor do I have the time or interest to become proficient. I just wonder if there's a syntax template of sorts that I could use so as not to be asking for a new macro every time I need one!

Inquiring minds want to know!

[Winon]

Hello Nardar,

I find the following somewhat contradicting.

...I know virtually nothing about VBA, nor do I have the time or interest to become proficient..

and then,

...Inquiring minds want to know!..

Practice makes perfect. You are referring to other Posts you may have been helped with, without adding a link to same for some clarification. As much as I would like to help you, and maybe convert you to an Excel enthusiast, I find myself at a slight disadvantage here with the information you have made available.

Regards.

[MrShorty]

I don't know the specific answer to your question, but here's how I see learning about it:

1) Start here: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/lib.../ff194068.aspx This is a common starting page for me in the help files.
2) Find the desired collection/object in the left hand navigation pane (in this case, you are looking for the "Dialogs" collection and or the "Dialog" object).
3) From there, find the desired property/method that does what I want (It might be under the "object Members" link). In this case, you will be looking for the Dialog.Show method.
4) See what it tells me about using that property/method. In this case, the "Dialog.Show" method says that there may be arguments applicable to each specific dialog box. Since I cannot readily find any documentation of the arguments for the specific dialog under consideration, then it will come down to researching (and maybe some trial and error) to figure out what arguments are available to the dialog and which ones might lead to the "custom" tab (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/lib.../ff838781.aspx ).
5) Recognize that there may not be a way to do exactly what you want using the built in dialogs, at which point, you can decide if it is worth the effort to create your own dialog or not.

[Nardar]

Re: comment 1 - I generally use Excel for tables of data, and they don't often need more than some basic functions which I can get from buttons & menus. However, I do get tired of making 6 or 7 clicks each time I want to make a specific, not common change. That's why I don't need or want to become a VBA guru.

Re: comment 2 - On the other hand, I do like to learn specific things in small increments, as much for the mental stimulation as for the end result of the work.

Does that clarify?

So, here's the link to the thread from yesterday:

http://www.excelforum.com/excel-prog...mat-macro.html