Documentation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mark
  • Start date Start date
M

Mark

Hi NG

Newbie question - i know!
Where can i find the online VBA documentation. I looked at msdn but could
not find it!!! Surely VBA has an API - right??!

Cheers
Mark
 
Mark,

The documentation is in VBA Help, which can be installed when you install
Excel.

VBA is a programming language and as such doesn't have an API in the way
that I describe and understand APIs. Excel has an object model that can be
accessed and manipulated using VBA (And using VB, C++, C#, etc for that
matter) to provide custom solutions. It is such manipulation that is the
mainstay of this NG.

--

HTH

Bob Phillips
... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)
 
Thanks! My line of thought was that eventhough VBA is a language, it has
some standard library attatched to it, like e.g. Java.

But, okey I want to find the VBA that is related to the EXCEL object model.
I should be able to do that ;-)

Generally I think that msdn is too "polluted" with text-stuff and anecdotes.
I would really like the clean thing i.e. the API of the different object
models, and not something soft like "learning to understand your workbook
object"!

Why is msdn not more like java.sun.com, with a clear distinction between
documentation and white papers. MSDN is messy! (don't flame to much over
this - remember i am a newbie ;-)

Regards Mark
 
Mark,

Yes, you are right that VBA is not as advanced as Java and C++ in that
respect, there is no Foundation class. I don't know Java, but I know VB and
VBA are a shed-load easier to use than C++, it is basic after all.

I would suggest that VBA Help is precisely what you want. You can work your
way down/up the object model by looking up an item. Start by looking at the
Application Object, and work down.

Another good source is John Green, Rob Bovey, Stephen Bullen's book, Excel
2002 VBA Programmers Reference published by Wrox Press (ISBN 0-7645-4371-7).
As well as good tips and techniques, it has a full object model and
description.

I think you are a little unfair on MS. MSDN, the Knowledge Base, and the
support sites are excellent (IMO). Problem is, MS are the biggest, the
amount of info is wider and higher than any of the competitors, and so it
can be difficult to find. Perseverance pays though.

--

HTH

Bob Phillips
... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)
 
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