Excel VBA ComboBox
ComboBox is the user form feature in VBA, they are different from the text boxes as text boxes are used to contain only text and we allow user to input any type of data, but by using combo boxes we limit user for the responses type we desire thus the data is in orderly fashion, it is similar to the list data validation in excel.
ComboBox can be compared to a drop-down list in excel, in worksheets. We used data validation to provide a drop-down, but in VBA, there is a user form feature where it is used to provide a drop-down in any user form, but if we want to use a combo box in excel, we can also access it from the developer section from there we can create combo boxes for individual or multiple cells.
Combo Box is very similar to the drop-down list we have in an excel worksheet; with the combo box, we can store pre-determined values so that users make the selection from the list available from the combo box. Combo Box is generally used along with user forms as part of getting the input from the users.
User forms are useful but having other tools on the user form is what makes the user form so special. One of the tools that we often use as a tool for user form is “ComboBox.”
Top 2 Ways of Creating a VBA ComboBox
#1 – Using Direct Coding
First, we will see how to use Combo Box with the worksheet. Open any of the worksheets in the excel workbook, go to the Developer tab, and under this tab, we have a tool called “Insert.” Click on this, and under this, we have two options Active X Controls & Form Controls in excel.
From “Active X Controls,” choose “Combo Box.”
Now you can draw this object on any of the worksheets.
Right-click on the combo box and choose the “Properties” option.
When you choose properties, it will open up a huge list of properties of a combo box.
For this combo box, we are going to give a list of department names, so change the name property of the combo box to “DeptComboBox.”
Now this combo box will be referred by the name “DeptComboBox.” We need to give pre-determined department names, so here I have a list of department names.
4.9 (1,353 ratings) 35+ Courses | 120+ Hours | Full Lifetime Access | Certificate of Completion
Now we need to add these values to the combo box list. We can do this in two ways, through coding or through name manager.
Double click on the Combobox, and it will take you to the VBA macro procedure.
But we need to see these department names when the workbook opens up, so double click on “ThisWorkbook.”
From the drop-down list, choose “Workbook.”
From options, choose “Open.”
Now it will create a blank like the below one.
Inside this macro, enter the below code.
Private Sub Workbook_Open() With Worksheets("Sheet1").DeptComboBox .AddItem "Finance" .AddItem "Marketing" .AddItem "Merchandising" .AddItem "Operations" .AddItem "Audit" .AddItem "Client Servicing" End With End Sub
Ok, now save and close the workbook. When you reopen the workbook, we could see the department names in it.
#2 – Using UserForm
Another way of adding values to the ComboBox is by using user form. First, give a name to cells as “Department.”
Go to Visual Basic Editor and insert User Form from the INSERT option.
Now the new user form is created.
Next to the user form, we can see “Toolbox” from this toolbox, we can insert “Combo Box.”
Now the combo box is embedded in the user form. In this method, to open the properties option, select the combo box and press the F4 key to open the properties window.
Scroll down the properties tab and choose “Row Source.”
For this “Row Source,” enter the name that we had given to department name cells.
Now this combo box holds the reference of the name “Department.”
Now run the user form by using the run button.
Now we can see a list of department names in the combo box on the user form.
Practically user form is associated with a combo box, text box, and many other tools. We will create a simple data entry user form with a text box & combo box.
Create a user form like the below.
Create two Command Buttons.
Double click on the “SUBMIT” button it will open up below macro.
Inside this macro, add the below code.
Private Sub CommandButton1_Click() Dim LR As Long LR = Cells(Rows.Count, 1).End(xlUp).Row + 1 Cells(LR, 1).Value = TextBox1.Value Cells(LR, 2).Value = ComboBox1.Value End Sub
Now double click on the “CANCEL” button and add the below code.
Now in the worksheet, create a template like the below.
Now run the user form, and it will open up like this.
Enter the employee name and pick the department name from the combo list.
Click on the SUBMIT button and see the magic.
We got the values entered in the table format we have created.
Things to Remember
- COMBO BOX has its own properties as well.
- Adding values to the list comes in two ways. One is a coding way, and another one is a range name reference.
- COMBO BOX is usually part of the user form.
This has been a guide to VBA ComboBox. Here we discuss how to insert and use a Combobox using VBA coding in excel along with the downloadable template. Below you can find some useful excel VBA articles –