XL98: How to Create an Auto_Open Macro to Show Data Form Dialog

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Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. To use an Auto_Open macro, follow these steps:

1. In a new workbook, enter the following data on Sheet1:

      A1: Name    B1: Age   C1: Team
      A2: John    B2: 25    C2: Blue
      A3: Fred    B3: 32    C3: Red
      A4: Linda   B4: 28    C4: Blue
      A5: Joe     B5: 22    C5: Red
   					

2. Select cells A1:C5.
3. Point to Name on the Insert menu, and then click Define.
4. In the "Names In Workbook" box, type "Database" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK.
5. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press OPTION+F11).
6. Click Module on the Insert menu.
7. Type the following code into the module sheet:

         Sub auto_open()
            ' Activate the sheet that contains your database.
            Worksheets("Sheet1").Activate
   
            ' Select the range named "Database".
            Range("Database").Select
   
            ' Show the data form for the selected range.
            ActiveSheet.ShowDataForm
         End Sub
   					

8. Save the file.
9. Close the file, then re-open it.

When you open the file, the auto_open macro should be run, and the data form dialog box for the database will be displayed.

The data form dialog box can be used to view, change, add, or delete a record in a list or database. A data form can also be used to find specific records based on criteria that you specify. A data form displays one complete record at a time. When you enter or edit data on the data form, Microsoft Excel changes the corresponding cells in the list. The data form dialog box automatically expands to display all the fields in your list, up to 32 fields.