GoonAutomating Excel Shape Design with VBA
Transform your Excel workflow with automation and learn how to create polished input forms, dynamic dashboards, and custom menus effortlessly. This tutorial will guide you through the process of automating shape design in Excel using VBA, allowing you to save time and boost productivity.
Introduction to Automating Shape Design
In the previous video, the power of mode shapes in PowerPoint was showcased, demonstrating how to make beautiful looking forms like the one shown below.
Introduction to automating shape design in Excel
Today, a faster automated solution using VBA will be shared, which will save time, especially when dealing with multiple shapes or larger forms. The goal is to create a macro that automates the shape design process, making it easier to create attractive input boxes.
Setting Up the VBA Environment
To start, a new module needs to be created. This can be named anything, but for simplicity, it will be left as the default for now. Next, a reference to the PowerPoint object library needs to be added. This is done by going to Tools > References and finding the Microsoft PowerPoint object library.
Setting up the VBA environment for automating shape design
Creating the Helper Function
A helper function called IsSelectionShape needs to be created to verify whether the current selection is a shape. This function will return a Boolean value indicating whether the selection is a shape or not.
Checking the Selection
The macro will check if the selection is a shape by using the activeSheet.Shapes and Selection objects. If the selection is not a shape, the macro will return false and display a message.
Checking the selection to ensure it is a shape
Capturing the Selected Shape
The selected shape needs to be captured and stored in a variable. This is done by using the Selection.ShapeRange object.
Declaring Variables
Variables need to be declared to store the shape properties, such as the background color and name. These variables will be used later in the macro.
Declaring variables for shape properties
Creating the PowerPoint Application
A new PowerPoint application instance needs to be created, and a blank presentation and slide need to be added. The selected shape will be copied and pasted into the PowerPoint slide.
Merging Shapes
The shape will be merged with a background rectangle using PowerPoint's merge shapes feature. This will create the corner effect.
Merging shapes to create the corner effect
Copying the Result Back to Excel
The resulting shape will be copied back to Excel and positioned exactly where the original shape was.
Cleaning Up
The PowerPoint application will be quit, and any leftover instances will be closed.
Cleaning up after the macro has finished running
Testing the Macro
The macro will be tested to ensure it works as expected.
Adding the Macro to the Ribbon
The macro will be added to the ribbon, making it easily accessible.
Adding the macro to the ribbon for easy access
Conclusion
With this tutorial, you have learned how to automate shape design in Excel using VBA. This macro can save time and boost productivity, especially when dealing with multiple shapes or larger forms.
Conclusion and final thoughts on automating shape design in Excel
By following these steps and practicing with the provided code, you can create your own automated shape design macro in Excel. Remember to like, subscribe, and share this video if you found it helpful, and don't forget to check out the previous video on manual shape design using PowerPoint's merge shapes feature.
