How to add a prefix or suffix to every cell using VBA

We can often find spreadsheets with cells containing codes that have been shortened.  So, rather than Proj003412, the cell value has been reduced to just 3412.  It’s not a big problem to extend the code back to the full version; we could achieve that with a simple formula, then copy and paste special values.  If we have to do this regularly, it can start to become time-consuming.

I decided to write a macro to speed up the process.  In this post, I will show you how to use that marco to add a  prefix or suffix to every cell.

The VBA code

There are two separate VBA codes below.

To make the code reusable, your Personal Macro Workbook is the best place to save the macro.

Add prefix

Sub AddPrefix()

Dim c As Range
Dim prefixValue As Variant

'Display inputbox to collect prefix text
prefixValue = Application.InputBox(Prompt:="Enter prefix:", _
Title:="Prefix", Type:=2)

'The User clicked Cancel
If prefixValue = False Then Exit Sub

'Loop through each cellin selection
For Each c In Selection

    'Add prefix where cell is not a formula or blank
    If Not c.HasFormula And c.Value <> "" Then

        c.Value = prefixValue & c.Value

    End If

Next

End Sub

Add suffix

Sub AddSuffix()

Dim c As Range
Dim suffixValue As Variant

'Display inputbox to collect prefix text
suffixValue = Application.InputBox(Prompt:="Enter Suffix:", _
Title:="Suffix", Type:=2)

'The User clicked Cancel
If suffixValue = False Then Exit Sub

'Loop through each cellin selection
For Each c In Selection

    'Add Suffix where cell is not a formula or blank
    If Not c.HasFormula And c.Value <> "" Then

        c.Value = c.Value & suffixValue

    End If

Next

End Sub

How to use the codes

To use the macro, follow these steps:

1. Select the cells which contain the current values
   
2. Depending on your needs, run the AddPrefix, or AddSuffix macro.
3. An Input Box will appear, enter the text string you wish to add to the start (for prefix) or end (for suffix) of each cell,  then click OK.
   
   
4. Ta-dah! The values will be updated.  How speedy was that! 🙂
   

The macro will not change cells that are blank or contain formulas.

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