Today, while answering a reader’s email, I wrote this VBA code,
If Target.Value = "yes" Then
'do something
End If
But I realized that my code would run only the Target cell has “yes” in it. It wont run if the target cell has “YES”, or “Yes” or “YeS”.
This is because by default, all VBA comparisons are binary. That means, “yes” ≠ “Yes”.
One quick work-around for this problem is to use UCASE to convert target.value to Uppercase and then compare, like this,
If UCASE(Target.Value) = "YES" Then
'do something
End If
But this seemed painful, especially, if I had to do similar comparison at multiple places in my code, I had to use UCASE() everywhere.
If only there is an option to tell VBA how to compare?!?
Well, there is an option.
Use Option Compare Text
If you write Option Compare Text at the top of your module, all the VBA comparisons with in that module will use Text comparison instead of Binary comparison. Thus, “yes” will be equal to “YES”.
Do you use Option Compare?
There are 3 settings for Option Compare.
Option Compare Binary: This is the default setting. Compares everything at binary level.Option Compare Text: Used for situations like this.Option Compare Database: Can be used only with MS Access VBA. Uses Database Table settings to determine how to compare.
This is the first time I have used Option Compare Text. But it seems like an elegant way to tell Excel VBA how to compare. I will be using it more often.
What about you? Do you use Option Compare? What are your favorite tips & tricks? Please share with us using comments.
More on Excel VBA
VBA (or Macros) is how you can tell Excel to automate parts of your work. It is a powerful programming language built right in to Excel (and other MS Office applications) to help you do more. If you are new to VBA, why don’t you go thru our Free crash course?
- Introduction to VBA & Excel Macros
- Understanding Variables, Conditions & Loops in VBA
- Using Cells, Ranges & Other Objects in your Macros
- Putting it all together – Your First VBA Application using Excel
- My Top 10 Tips for Mastering VBA & Excel Macros
Also, go thru our VBA (Macros) article collection for more tips, tutorials & ideas.
9 Responses to “CP044: My first dashboard was a failure!!!”
CONGRATS on the book!
Thanks for this podcast. It's great to hear about your disaster and recovery. It's a reminder that we're all human. None of this skill came easily.
Thank you Oz. I believe that we learn most by analyzing our mistakes.
Hey chandoo
this really a good lesson learned
but as I have already stated in one of my previous email that it would be more helpful for us if you could release videos of your classes for us
thanks
The article gave me motivation, especially you describing the terrible disaster that you faced but how to get back from the setbacks. Thanks for that, but with video this will be more fun.
Hi Nafi,
Thanks for your comments. Please note that this is (and will be) audio podcast. For videos, I suggest subscribing to our YouTube channel. No point listening to audio and saying its not video.
You always motivate me with respect of the tools in excel. How we can really exploit it to the fullest. Thanks very much
Thank you Amankwah... 🙂
Thank you very much, Chandoo, for your excellent lessons, I am anxious to learn so valuable tips and tricks from you, keep up the great job!
I truly appreciate the transcripts of the podcasts, because as a speaker of English as a second language, it allows me to fully understand the material. It'd be great if you can add transcripts to your online courses too, I am sure people will welcome this feature.
Dashboards for Excel has arrived in Laguna Beach, CA! Thanks!
Now I need to make time to "learn and inwardly digest" its contents as one of my high school teachers would admonish us!