How to run macro when sheet is selected from a workbook?
In many daily Excel tasks, you may need to automate processes whenever a particular worksheet is selected or activated within your workbook. For example, certain data validation checks, view adjustments, or report generation steps might need to happen automatically as you switch to a given sheet. Excel's VBA framework offers a convenient approach to make this possible by triggering macros as soon as a specific sheet is activated. This article, I will talk about how to trigger a macro code when you select or activate a specific sheet from a workbook.
Run or execute a macro code when sheet is selected from a workbook with VBA code
Run or execute a macro code when sheet is selected from a workbook with VBA code
To enable a macro to run automatically when you activate a specific worksheet, Excel's built-in event procedures can be used. The Worksheet_Activate event is designed for exactly this purpose. By placing your macro call inside this event, your desired actions are performed instantly every time the sheet is selected. The setup process is straightforward and doesn't require any advanced VBA knowledge:
1. Right-click on the tab of the worksheet where you want the macro to execute upon activation, and choose View Code from the menu. This opens the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window directly associated with the selected worksheet. In the code window that appears, copy and paste the VBA code example below. This code can be customized to call any macro required for your workflow:
VBA code: Run a macro code when activating a sheet from a workbook:
Private Sub Worksheet_Activate()
Call MyMacro
End Sub
Note: Update the macro name in the code to exactly match the procedure you wish to run. For example, if your macro is called "UpdateDashboard", make sure that name appears in place of the default.
- Be sure the macro you're calling exists in a standard module or in an accessible place in your workbook. If the macro cannot be found, an error will occur when the sheet is activated.
- Consider disabling macros or removing sensitive actions if the workbook is going to be distributed broadly, to avoid security prompts.
2. Once you've entered the code, save your changes and close the VBA editor. Whenever you click on, or otherwise activate, this specific worksheet tab, the macro specified within the code will automatically execute. No further action is needed; Excel will handle triggering your code each time the sheet is accessed.
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