XL97: Change Event for ActiveX Control Runs Unexpectedly

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

A change event macro that is assigned to an ActiveX control on a worksheet runs when the worksheet is recalculated instead of running when you change the control value.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you assign the ListFillRange property of the control to either of the following:

• A defined name that refers to a formula or cell containing a volatile function.

      -or-
  

• A cell that contains a formula containing a volatile function.

RESOLUTION

To prevent the change event from running unexpectedly, do not assign its ListFillRange property to a defined name or to a cell that contains a function that is calculated whenever the worksheet changes (a volatile function).

STATUS

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel 97.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel 97, you can insert controls, for example a list box, drop down, and edit box, into a worksheet. The ListFillRange property of the control can be used to populate the control with information from the worksheet. However, when you assign a macro to the change event for the control and the data that populates the control contains a volatile function, the change event macro may run whenever the worksheet is recalculated.

Functions that are recalculated whenever the worksheet changes are volatile functions. The following functions are volatile:

   AREAS()
   INDEX()
   OFFSET()
   CELL()
   INDIRECT()
   ROWS()
   COLUMNS()
   NOW()
   RAND()

   Article-ID: Q81856
   TITLE     : Excel: Functions Recalculated If New Data or Cells Entered

REFERENCES

For more information about ActiveX controls, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel 97 Help, type the following text

   ActiveX