In VBA, there are several ways to run a macro within a macro, and even run a macro from another workbook. On forums these methods are used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion for others, as depending on the method for running/calling the macro, the syntax is slightly different.
This post shows these common methods and how to use them.
Run a macro in the same workbook
The standard method for calling a macro contained in the same workbook are detailed below.
Use the macro’s name
In this code example, only the macro’s name is required.
Sub CallAnotherMacro() NameOfMacro End Sub
When using this method with parameters/arguments, the first argument follows the name of the macro, each subsequent argument is separated by a comma.
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Dim argument1 As String Dim argument2 As Integer argument1 = "ExampleText" argument2 = 1 NameOfMacro argument1, argument2 End Sub
Calling a macro
Using the Call statement is my preferred method as it is easier to read.
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Call NameOfMacro End Sub
Parameters used with this method are enclosed in parentheses and separated by a comma.
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Dim argument1 As String Dim argument2 As Integer argument1 = "ExampleText" argument2 = 1 Call NameOfMacro(argument1, argument2) End Sub
Run a macro
The Run command is similar to Call, but requires the name of the macro to be in the form of a text string.
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Run "NameOfMacro" End Sub
To use arguments, the text string is followed by a comma, each argument is separated by a comma.
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Dim argument1 As String Dim argument2 As Integer argument1 = "ExampleText" argument2 = 1 Run "NameOfMacro", argument1, argument2 End Sub
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Run a macro based on a variable
It is possible to Run a macro based on the value of a string variable. This enables a different macro to be triggered depending on the value of the string variable at that point.
In the example below:
- NameOfMacro is the name of the Sub procedure (the same as the examples above)
- MacroName is a string variable, which holds the text “NameOfMacro”
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Dim MacroName As String MacroName = "NameOfMacro" Run MacroName End Sub
Notice, the Run command is not followed by a text string, but a variable. The Run function works because the variable is a text string.
To use parameters using this method the syntax is as follows:
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Dim MacroName As String Dim argument1 As String Dim argument2 As Integer MacroName = "NameOfMacro" argument1 = "ExampleText" argument2 = 1 Run MacroName, argument1, argument2 End Sub
Run a macro contained in another workbook
Note: The workbook which contains the macro must be open.
To run a macro contained in another workbook, use the Application.Run command as follows:
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Application.Run "'Another Workbook.xlsm'!NameOfMacro" End Sub
The single quotation marks are needed when the workbook name contains a space.
If there is no space, the single quotation marks are not required. The code will still run correctly if they are included, so I prefer to use them for consistency.
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Application.Run "AnotherWorkbook.xlsm!NameOfMacro" End Sub
Run a macro contained in another workbook based on a variable
Using the text string variable, we can build the name of the workbook and macro. This enables us to call any macro from any open workbook.
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Dim WorkbookName As String Dim MacroName As String WorkbookName = "AnotherWorkbook.xlsm" MacroName = "NameOfMacro" Run "'" & WorkbookName & "'!" & MacroName End Sub
If using parameters, these can also be included a follows:
Sub CallAnotherMacro() Dim WorkbookName As String Dim MacroName As String Dim argument1 As String Dim argument2 As Integer WorkbookName = "AnotherWorkbook.xlsm" MacroName = "NameOfMacro" argument1 = "ExampleText" argument2 = 1 Run "'" & WorkbookName & "'!" & MacroName, argument1, argument2 End Sub
