- #Microsoft color index custom formatting excel msdn how to
- #Microsoft color index custom formatting excel msdn code
These variables capture the tasks we need to do for our button.
#Microsoft color index custom formatting excel msdn code
Let's take a look at the code we can use for our SendMessage subroutine. Whatever code is included in this subroutine will be executed. When we click this button, the compiler will specifically look for a subroutine named SendMessage. We defined a subroutine for this button called SendMessage. This sets what happens when the user clicks your custom button. Notice the onAction property in this part of the string. Xml = xml + "imageMso=""DiagramTargetInsertClassic"" onAction=""SendMessage""/>" The important part of the above string is this line: The name you give to your action subroutine is defined by the onAction property set in the xml string we created in the previous section. You can change cells, show a message, or even open a Word document. Now that we have the ribbon XML, we need to provide a subroutine for the action taken when the user clicks a button. Interested in learning more? Why not take an online Visual Basic for Excel course?ĭefining a Subroutine for the Ribbon Button In other words, the above code could be broken down to look like the following. When you call a subroutine in another subroutine, you essentially run its code within the local function.
The only item we change is the call to the CreateRibbon subroutine, which essentially creates the ribbon using the XML string that we created earlier. You must leave the variables in place and you want to leave the subroutine Private. Remember that you can't change an event's code. IN the code above, we use the Project_Open event. Private Sub Project_Open(ByVal pj As Project) This event fires each time you open a new project in Excel. Most ribbon creation subroutines are added to the Project_Open event. With this subroutine created, you can now add it to a startup routine. This allows you to add quotation marks to your strings without cause an error in your code. When you use double quotation marks in a string, the Visual Basic compiler sees this as literal quotation marks. This is to ensure that the quotation marks are seen as "literals." When you use one quotation mark, Visual Basic sees this as either the start or termination of a string. Notice that the string has double quotation marks around string values. If the XML is poorly constructed, this method will fail, so ensure that you use the right structure when you build your XML string. This class has the SetCustomUI method that then uses the xml variable input to define the new ribbon. Notice that we use the ActiveProject class, which is an internal class in the Office framework. This subroutine simply creates the ribbon.
Let's take a look at what this subroutine looks like. With the ribbon string created, we can now create a subroutine that adds the ribbon customizations to the user's main Excel menu. You can have your button and ribbon bar perform any task that you need. In this string, you create a tab called "Highlight" that lets you toggle a task's color.
You will likely need to build your own by looking up the tags and necessary values or using a third-party tool. As you can see, the xml string is extensive and has several tags. The code above builds an XML string and assigns it to the variable xml. The following is an example of a custom ribbon XML string. Whatever you choose, you must have valid XML and each tag must have the right value for Excel to parse the information. You can build an XML string manually or using a tool. We'll use an example XML string to show you what an example ribbon looks like. Since there are several options, you might need to perform a lookup on Microsoft's site to understand each element and value. Microsoft XML is specific to Office, so it can be difficult to understand. There are some third-party tools that can work with Excel and other office productivity tools to create custom code for you.
#Microsoft color index custom formatting excel msdn how to
In this article, we will work with the Excel ribbon and show you how to edit it for your own application customizations.īefore you write your subroutine, you need to create custom XML code that is used to specify the ribbon layout, color and format. You can execute, run, close or review your application from a ribbon. The user can then use this ribbon to work with your application. The code would identify if the ribbon already exists, and then it adds the ribbon if it does not already exist in the interface. You could launch code that runs when the user opens Excel. You can't change the main components of a ribbon using VBA, but you can create your own custom ribbon using VBA.įor instance, suppose you want to create a custom ribbon and button for your new VB application. The ribbon interface has changed a bit from Office 2007, but the basic concept of a ribbon remains. Since Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft uses a graphical interface for its menu items called ribbons.