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#1
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visual basic
is there a way to write stand alone programs (without excel) using the same
code as is used w/in excel vba? the only "programming" i have done is w/in excel in the visual basic editor. i have come a long way in my abilities to create almost anything i need w/in the framework of excel (sometimes w/ help from this group). but all of my "programs" are really .xls files, even though the spreadsheets themselves contain no formulas (all formulas are in code). the spreadsheets are only used for inputs, buttons to call the code, and output. i am familiar w/ the term "compiler" that a friend had for his C++ code and from another friend who has visual fox pro, which he showed me how he writes his code, sends that stand alone program to his customers along w/ a dll (library of functions?) and his customers can run it w/out actually having fox pro, excel, etc. i kind of think microsoft has a product called visual basic that may be a compiler, much like the above examples, but am totally unsure. bottom line: is there a way i can use the code and knowledge i have w/ excel's vba in a stand alone program? (note, i rely on many built-in functions--vlookup, match, left, isnumeric, etc.-- and would not want to have to re-create them myself). thanks, mike allen |
#2
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visual basic
Mike,
Yes, Microsoft does have a program called Visual Basic which allows you to create standalone programs. It will support most of your VBA code, with some differences. Most VB manuals will give you some info on how to convert between the two. You will probably have to identify Excel as an object and then use this prefix on the lines of code which are Excel-specific. Hope that helps, Jill E "mike allen" wrote in message ... is there a way to write stand alone programs (without excel) using the same code as is used w/in excel vba? the only "programming" i have done is w/in excel in the visual basic editor. i have come a long way in my abilities to create almost anything i need w/in the framework of excel (sometimes w/ help from this group). but all of my "programs" are really .xls files, even though the spreadsheets themselves contain no formulas (all formulas are in code). the spreadsheets are only used for inputs, buttons to call the code, and output. i am familiar w/ the term "compiler" that a friend had for his C++ code and from another friend who has visual fox pro, which he showed me how he writes his code, sends that stand alone program to his customers along w/ a dll (library of functions?) and his customers can run it w/out actually having fox pro, excel, etc. i kind of think microsoft has a product called visual basic that may be a compiler, much like the above examples, but am totally unsure. bottom line: is there a way i can use the code and knowledge i have w/ excel's vba in a stand alone program? (note, i rely on many built-in functions--vlookup, match, left, isnumeric, etc.-- and would not want to have to re-create them myself). thanks, mike allen |
#3
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visual basic
On Mon, 9 Aug 2004 12:48:36 -0500, "mike allen"
wrote: is there a way to write stand alone programs (without excel) using the same code as is used w/in excel vba? Exactly as is, without changes? No. But if you go to, say, eBay, or any other auction site (or one of the "older software for sale" sites) and get a copy of Visual Basic 6, it's pretty darn close. (It's actually almost identical except for Excel-specific functions, and those *can* be accessed from VB, but the "wording" is a wee bit different.) Alternately, you could buy a copy of PowerBasic, which is IMHO a superior product (although a bit harder to develop in): http://www.powerbasic.com/ the only "programming" i have done is w/in excel in the visual basic editor. i have come a long way in my abilities to create almost anything i need w/in the framework of excel (sometimes w/ help from this group). but all of my "programs" are really .xls files, even though the spreadsheets themselves contain no formulas (all formulas are in code). the spreadsheets are only used for inputs, buttons to call the code, and output. I do that myself - I use Excel for a great many things - programming is one of them but the list also includes finances, gaming (RPG character sheets & such), simple sorting, etc. i am familiar w/ the term "compiler" that a friend had for his C++ code and from another friend who has visual fox pro, which he showed me how he writes his code, sends that stand alone program to his customers along w/ a dll (library of functions?) and his customers can run it w/out actually having fox pro, excel, etc. A compiler is just a program that turns text files into object code; you also need a linker, which combines objects together and makes them into a the final program. (FoxPro (one word) is a database-slash-programming language.) i kind of think microsoft has a product called visual basic that may be a compiler, much like the above examples, but am totally unsure. See above. bottom line: is there a way i can use the code and knowledge i have w/ excel's vba in a stand alone program? (note, i rely on many built-in functions--vlookup, match, left, isnumeric, etc.-- and would not want to have to re-create them myself). thanks, mike allen VLookup is Excel-specific. Match is too, I believe (don't have VB installed right now so I can't check it). Left is built into VB, and I *think* IsNumeric is, too. If you buy VB, you should also get the MSDN disk (which is the help system), and it includes "getting started" and similar stuff. -- auric underscore underscore at hotmail dot com ***** - No. Definitely no. - Deny, deny, deny. |
#4
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visual basic
You will also have to buy Visual Basic, it is not a cheap product.
You might try getting a pre-used copy of VIBE on eBay. -- HTH Bob Phillips ... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "Jill E" wrote in message .. . Mike, Yes, Microsoft does have a program called Visual Basic which allows you to create standalone programs. It will support most of your VBA code, with some differences. Most VB manuals will give you some info on how to convert between the two. You will probably have to identify Excel as an object and then use this prefix on the lines of code which are Excel-specific. Hope that helps, Jill E "mike allen" wrote in message ... is there a way to write stand alone programs (without excel) using the same code as is used w/in excel vba? the only "programming" i have done is w/in excel in the visual basic editor. i have come a long way in my abilities to create almost anything i need w/in the framework of excel (sometimes w/ help from this group). but all of my "programs" are really .xls files, even though the spreadsheets themselves contain no formulas (all formulas are in code). the spreadsheets are only used for inputs, buttons to call the code, and output. i am familiar w/ the term "compiler" that a friend had for his C++ code and from another friend who has visual fox pro, which he showed me how he writes his code, sends that stand alone program to his customers along w/ a dll (library of functions?) and his customers can run it w/out actually having fox pro, excel, etc. i kind of think microsoft has a product called visual basic that may be a compiler, much like the above examples, but am totally unsure. bottom line: is there a way i can use the code and knowledge i have w/ excel's vba in a stand alone program? (note, i rely on many built-in functions--vlookup, match, left, isnumeric, etc.-- and would not want to have to re-create them myself). thanks, mike allen |
#5
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visual basic
what is "visual basic.net 2003 standard edition?" i see it on microsoft
website, but is only $100, so that must not be what i am looking for. thanks, mike allen "Bob Phillips" wrote in message ... You will also have to buy Visual Basic, it is not a cheap product. You might try getting a pre-used copy of VIBE on eBay. -- HTH Bob Phillips ... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "Jill E" wrote in message .. . Mike, Yes, Microsoft does have a program called Visual Basic which allows you to create standalone programs. It will support most of your VBA code, with some differences. Most VB manuals will give you some info on how to convert between the two. You will probably have to identify Excel as an object and then use this prefix on the lines of code which are Excel-specific. Hope that helps, Jill E "mike allen" wrote in message ... is there a way to write stand alone programs (without excel) using the same code as is used w/in excel vba? the only "programming" i have done is w/in excel in the visual basic editor. i have come a long way in my abilities to create almost anything i need w/in the framework of excel (sometimes w/ help from this group). but all of my "programs" are really .xls files, even though the spreadsheets themselves contain no formulas (all formulas are in code). the spreadsheets are only used for inputs, buttons to call the code, and output. i am familiar w/ the term "compiler" that a friend had for his C++ code and from another friend who has visual fox pro, which he showed me how he writes his code, sends that stand alone program to his customers along w/ a dll (library of functions?) and his customers can run it w/out actually having fox pro, excel, etc. i kind of think microsoft has a product called visual basic that may be a compiler, much like the above examples, but am totally unsure. bottom line: is there a way i can use the code and knowledge i have w/ excel's vba in a stand alone program? (note, i rely on many built-in functions--vlookup, match, left, isnumeric, etc.-- and would not want to have to re-create them myself). thanks, mike allen |
#6
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visual basic
On Mon, 9 Aug 2004 13:58:46 -0500, "mike allen"
wrote: what is "visual basic.net 2003 standard edition?" i see it on microsoft website, but is only $100, so that must not be what i am looking for. thanks, mike allen It's not the same as what you see in Excel/VBA. VB.Net is a completely different language than what you're used to. |
#7
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visual basic
this is my interpretation so far:
a full (not an upgrade), used version of Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 from ebay for $150-200 will allow me to essentially use the same code i am used to using in excel/vba, but i will be able to create stand-alone programs that others can use w/out excel. it will have matix's/spreadsheets for input and output, i assume. you mentioned "Excel-specific functions." what are those? vlookup, match, isnumeric, len, trim, count, counta are some of the functions i use often in code. are these "Excel-specific functions?" thanks, mike allen "Auric__" wrote in message ... On Mon, 9 Aug 2004 13:58:46 -0500, "mike allen" wrote: what is "visual basic.net 2003 standard edition?" i see it on microsoft website, but is only $100, so that must not be what i am looking for. thanks, mike allen It's not the same as what you see in Excel/VBA. VB.Net is a completely different language than what you're used to. |
#8
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visual basic
Mike,
You can use Visual Basic .Net 2003 or Visual Basic 6. There ar differences between the two, but both will work. Moving to Visual Basi from Visual Basic for Applications is not as difficult as some migh think. If you are serious about creating a stand alone program that automate Excel my suggestion would be to buy a full version of Visual Basic which ever you version you preferre. Also buy a book to get familai with the launguage differences, and use the IDE. Once you have gotten that far you will find out that you have to add referrence to the Excel Object library. Then in your code you will hav to istantiate an instance of Excel to access the object model. And, yes, vlookup, match, counta are Excel specific functions. Hope this helps -- Message posted from http://www.ExcelForum.com |
#9
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visual basic
but i will be able to create stand-alone programs
that others can use w/out excel. No, you can not create stand-alone programs that others can use w/out excel. Not sure why others are implying that you can. If you want worksheets, the user will either need to own a copy of Excel or you will have to buy a third party control that provides functionality similar to excel. -- Regards, Tom Ogilvy "mike allen" wrote in message ... this is my interpretation so far: a full (not an upgrade), used version of Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 from ebay for $150-200 will allow me to essentially use the same code i am used to using in excel/vba, but i will be able to create stand-alone programs that others can use w/out excel. it will have matix's/spreadsheets for input and output, i assume. you mentioned "Excel-specific functions." what are those? vlookup, match, isnumeric, len, trim, count, counta are some of the functions i use often in code. are these "Excel-specific functions?" thanks, mike allen "Auric__" wrote in message ... On Mon, 9 Aug 2004 13:58:46 -0500, "mike allen" wrote: what is "visual basic.net 2003 standard edition?" i see it on microsoft website, but is only $100, so that must not be what i am looking for. thanks, mike allen It's not the same as what you see in Excel/VBA. VB.Net is a completely different language than what you're used to. |
#10
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visual basic
Mike,
Tom, is correct. I'm sorry, I forget to write in my earlier post. You will need to hav Excel loaded on the computer you are developing on in order to add th referrence. Also, the end user will need to have Excel loaded on thei computer to run your program -- Message posted from http://www.ExcelForum.com |
#11
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visual basic
if the developer and the user both have to have excel, then why use Visual
Basic 6.0, etc., vs. just excel and vba? i am just seeing if there is a way to present something more "professional" by creating a stand alone program. most of my applications/programs/customized spreadsheets (whatever they are properly called) are very complicated w/ involved math, have no spreadsheet formulas (only code), very protected from tampering, etc. and deserve more credit than to be called "a spreadsheet" or "an excel file", which is what one of my users calls it. in a way, he is right, but if it were stand-alone, it would be the real thing: a bona fide program. how would you defend a very involved set of macros, functions, etc. that happens to be contained in excel, and what do you call this? a program, an excel application, an excel file, a customized spreadsheet...? thanks, mike allen "Pyball " wrote in message ... Mike, Tom, is correct. I'm sorry, I forget to write in my earlier post. You will need to have Excel loaded on the computer you are developing on in order to add the referrence. Also, the end user will need to have Excel loaded on their computer to run your program. --- Message posted from http://www.ExcelForum.com/ |
#12
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visual basic
Mike,
I fully understand what you are saying. I have created a couple of ver extensive programs in Excel with no way of converting them to stan alone programs. I constantly deal with user calling them macros spreedsheets, Excel files, etc. For myself I just let it go and go over it, and let them call them what ever they want. That's my take o it anyway. Good luck -- Message posted from http://www.ExcelForum.com |
#13
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visual basic
$100 is not
-- HTH Bob Phillips ... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "mike allen" wrote in message ... what is "visual basic.net 2003 standard edition?" i see it on microsoft website, but is only $100, so that must not be what i am looking for. thanks, mike allen "Bob Phillips" wrote in message ... You will also have to buy Visual Basic, it is not a cheap product. You might try getting a pre-used copy of VIBE on eBay. -- HTH Bob Phillips ... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "Jill E" wrote in message .. . Mike, Yes, Microsoft does have a program called Visual Basic which allows you to create standalone programs. It will support most of your VBA code, with some differences. Most VB manuals will give you some info on how to convert between the two. You will probably have to identify Excel as an object and then use this prefix on the lines of code which are Excel-specific. Hope that helps, Jill E "mike allen" wrote in message ... is there a way to write stand alone programs (without excel) using the same code as is used w/in excel vba? the only "programming" i have done is w/in excel in the visual basic editor. i have come a long way in my abilities to create almost anything i need w/in the framework of excel (sometimes w/ help from this group). but all of my "programs" are really .xls files, even though the spreadsheets themselves contain no formulas (all formulas are in code). the spreadsheets are only used for inputs, buttons to call the code, and output. i am familiar w/ the term "compiler" that a friend had for his C++ code and from another friend who has visual fox pro, which he showed me how he writes his code, sends that stand alone program to his customers along w/ a dll (library of functions?) and his customers can run it w/out actually having fox pro, excel, etc. i kind of think microsoft has a product called visual basic that may be a compiler, much like the above examples, but am totally unsure. bottom line: is there a way i can use the code and knowledge i have w/ excel's vba in a stand alone program? (note, i rely on many built-in functions--vlookup, match, left, isnumeric, etc.-- and would not want to have to re-create them myself). thanks, mike allen |
#14
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visual basic
$100 is less than I expected (presumably driven down by .Net), but is still
not cheap in my book<vbg -- HTH Bob Phillips ... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "mike allen" wrote in message ... what is "visual basic.net 2003 standard edition?" i see it on microsoft website, but is only $100, so that must not be what i am looking for. thanks, mike allen "Bob Phillips" wrote in message ... You will also have to buy Visual Basic, it is not a cheap product. You might try getting a pre-used copy of VIBE on eBay. -- HTH Bob Phillips ... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks (remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct) "Jill E" wrote in message .. . Mike, Yes, Microsoft does have a program called Visual Basic which allows you to create standalone programs. It will support most of your VBA code, with some differences. Most VB manuals will give you some info on how to convert between the two. You will probably have to identify Excel as an object and then use this prefix on the lines of code which are Excel-specific. Hope that helps, Jill E "mike allen" wrote in message ... is there a way to write stand alone programs (without excel) using the same code as is used w/in excel vba? the only "programming" i have done is w/in excel in the visual basic editor. i have come a long way in my abilities to create almost anything i need w/in the framework of excel (sometimes w/ help from this group). but all of my "programs" are really .xls files, even though the spreadsheets themselves contain no formulas (all formulas are in code). the spreadsheets are only used for inputs, buttons to call the code, and output. i am familiar w/ the term "compiler" that a friend had for his C++ code and from another friend who has visual fox pro, which he showed me how he writes his code, sends that stand alone program to his customers along w/ a dll (library of functions?) and his customers can run it w/out actually having fox pro, excel, etc. i kind of think microsoft has a product called visual basic that may be a compiler, much like the above examples, but am totally unsure. bottom line: is there a way i can use the code and knowledge i have w/ excel's vba in a stand alone program? (note, i rely on many built-in functions--vlookup, match, left, isnumeric, etc.-- and would not want to have to re-create them myself). thanks, mike allen |
#15
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re visual basic Stand alone utilities
Hi,
I have used VB6. You can view some of my handiwork at http://au.geocities.com/windsofmark You can probably get a VB6 program from a university bookshop. VB6 and vb.net are slightly different. You probably would be better of with the latter. VB.net requires all variables are set to their types eg: text as string, nmuber as integer or single or long. You cannot set everything to a variant, only variant types that are unknown types. You also have to use the property extension for all objects. eg: Label.caption, textbox.text, etc.. Even Excel 2003 prefers the extensions. You should also use structured code for excel 2003 and vb.net and vb6 eg: instead of If xxx=sss then exit sub use If xxx=sss then exit sub End If regards Mark Visit my sites: http:/www.gewocities.com/excelmarksway http://au.geocities.com/windsofmark -----Original Message----- is there a way to write stand alone programs (without excel) using the same code as is used w/in excel vba? the only "programming" i have done is w/in excel in the visual basic editor. i have come a long way in my abilities to create almost anything i need w/in the framework of excel (sometimes w/ help from this group). but all of my "programs" are really .xls files, even though the spreadsheets themselves contain no formulas (all formulas are in code). the spreadsheets are only used for inputs, buttons to call the code, and output. i am familiar w/ the term "compiler" that a friend had for his C++ code and from another friend who has visual fox pro, which he showed me how he writes his code, sends that stand alone program to his customers along w/ a dll (library of functions?) and his customers can run it w/out actually having fox pro, excel, etc. i kind of think microsoft has a product called visual basic that may be a compiler, much like the above examples, but am totally unsure. bottom line: is there a way i can use the code and knowledge i have w/ excel's vba in a stand alone program? (note, i rely on many built-in functions--vlookup, match, left, isnumeric, etc.-- and would not want to have to re-create them myself). thanks, mike allen . |
#16
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visual basic
"mike allen" wrote in message ... what is "visual basic.net 2003 standard edition?" i see it on microsoft website, but is only $100, so that must not be what i am looking for. thanks, mike allen You need VB6 Professional. VB.net is a very different program. You may be able to get hold of a copy via ebay Keith |
#17
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visual basic
"mike allen" wrote in message ... this is my interpretation so far: a full (not an upgrade), used version of Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 from ebay for $150-200 will allow me to essentially use the same code i am used to using in excel/vba, but i will be able to create stand-alone programs that others can use w/out excel. it will have matix's/spreadsheets for input and output, i assume. No sir. Your user will need to have Excel installed. The Excel specific functions are accessed via the Excel object dll's and you cannot distribute them. you mentioned "Excel-specific functions." what are those? vlookup, match, isnumeric, len, trim, count, counta are some of the functions i use often in code. are these "Excel-specific functions?" thanks, mike allen Any and all Worksheet Functions are Excel specific, this is very true of Vlookup and Match which are reliant on values on the Excel spreadsheet. Keith |
#18
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visual basic
"mike allen" wrote in message ... if the developer and the user both have to have excel, then why use Visual Basic 6.0, etc., vs. just excel and vba? Because then the user only gets the compiled code i am just seeing if there is a way to present something more "professional" by creating a stand alone program. most of my applications/programs/customized spreadsheets (whatever they are properly called) are very complicated w/ involved math, have no spreadsheet formulas (only code), very protected from tampering, etc. and deserve more credit than to be called "a spreadsheet" or "an excel file", which is what one of my users calls it. in a way, he is right, but if it were stand-alone, it would be the real thing: a bona fide program. how would you defend a very involved set of macros, functions, etc. that happens to be contained in excel, and what do you call this? a program, an excel application, an excel file, a customized spreadsheet...? thanks, mike allen I have exactly the same problem and use a com addin which is a compiled dll instead of VBA http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...mso2kaddin.asp Keith |
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