Strange behaviours while typing code in VBA editor

shawnh · #1 02-09-2010, 03:51 PM

Hi all... this is probably gonna sound really stupid, but how come when I try to type in some code in the VBA Editor, things act all weird:

- the text I'm typing sometimes gets all "rearranged" automatically (ie. first letter I type will be at the end all of a sudden)
- the text of the current line I'm on turns all red
- In the middle of typing something, a window will pop up "Syntax Error" even before I'm done typing.

... it's really frustrating. As you can gather, I'm a VBA newbie..

Thanks!
Shawn

JP Romano · #2 02-09-2010, 04:40 PM

Shawn - it almost sounds like something else is running in the background... another macro from another book, perhaps?

sauerj · #3 02-09-2010, 04:56 PM

Hello,
* The 1st issue is kinda wierd, but the other two sound like normaI design errors.
* I am a newbie to Excel VBA also. After struggling with it for months (getting tips & help over the internet), I finally went and bought a book for $25 at the local B&N. Probably shouldn't endorse book on forum (not sure if that is proper or not). Point Here: It was the best thing I've done to help me get a better handle on VB; I should have done it months ago.
* This book defines 4 levels of errors: 1) Design errors, 2) Compile errors, 3) Runtime errors, 4) Logicial Errors. The latter two issues, sound like Design errors. They happen to all of us. If you don't type something right (like an If Then statement), or put an '=' in without filling the right side and move off the line, then you get this error. You just have to OK the alarm, and move on.
* Not sure what might be causing the 1st issue. ... Regards, sauerj

shg · #4 02-09-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Probably shouldn't endorse book on forum (not sure if that is proper or not).

Totally proper, endorse away if you liked it.

shawnh · #5 02-09-2010, 05:03 PM

Thanks all... nope, there's no other workbook running in the background. Just my one main workbook that has several sheets and live DDE data coming into it - maybe that has something to do with it?

Regarding my VBA editing problems, I see a "Reset" and a "Break" button in the toolbar at top. Should they be set in any particular way when I'm trying to type?

sauerj · #6 02-09-2010, 05:12 PM

Thanks "shg"! ... Thanks a lot for your past help to me!
1) The book is "Excel Programming, Your visual blueprint for creating interative spreadsheets", 2nd Ed., by Jinjer Simon, Wiley Publishing, Inc, 2005.
2) It is 300 pages, comes with a disc containing electronic version of book and example macros. I'm about 50% thru it. I've found a few typos and maybe 1-2 errors, but it is SO easy to read and understand.
3) What really HELPED me a lot was explaining 1) what Excel means by Objects, and 2) Introducing me to the Object Browser, what it is, how to use, etc. WOW! finally things started to make some sense; and what a powerful tool this Obj-Browser offers. ... A book may not be for everyone (takes time to read), but sure worked for me.
4) Of course, the internet is very helpful too. And, when I'm really stomped, this forum is TOP-NOTCH!

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