XLM: How to Create International Macros in Excel

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SUMMARY

With Excel 2.x, macros often have to be manually translated for them to run in different language versions of Excel. Starting with Excel version 3.0, there is a new type of macro sheet format -- International Macro -- that solves this problem, making it easier for global accounts to transfer macros between countries. Macros can be created in the International Macro format from any language version of Excel. They can then be run, without going through any conversion process, in any other language version of Excel. That is, foreign language versions of Excel have been designed to understand English functions.

In the United States

If you have a U.S. version of Microsoft Excel, you can save a macro as an International Macro by using the Save As command under the File menu and selecting the Int'l Macro option. Macros created in Excel 2.x or in Excel 3.0's or 4.0's standard macro format can be saved for international use in this way. The International Macro will run without modification in different language versions of Excel 3.0 and later.

NOTE: This information applies to Microsoft Excel 5.0 and later ONLY if you are using XLM macrosheets.

It may make sense to translate quoted text strings, such as input requests or error messages, into the local language.

Outside of the United States

If you have a non-U.S. version of Excel, you can create a NEW International Macro by using the New command under the File menu and selecting the Int'l Macro option. All functions and formulas need to be in English, with U.S. country settings. This International Macro will run without modification in different language versions of Excel.

NOTE: Again, it may make sense to translate quoted text strings.

The Int'l Macro option only appears in the New dialog box (accessed by choosing New from the File menu) when Excel is used with a non-U.S. country setting selected in the Windows or OS/2 Control Panel, or with non-U.S. Macintosh system software.

Users outside of the U.S. can save an EXISTING macro created in non-English versions of Excel (either 2.x, 3.00, or 4.00's Standard macro format) as an International Macro using the Save As command from the File menu. Functions and formulas will be converted to English, with U.S. country settings. However, it will be necessary to manually convert text arguments within certain functions for the macro to run with other language versions of Excel.

For more information about the International Macro feature, query on the word "intmac" (without the quotation marks).

REFERENCES

"User's Guide 2," version 4.0, pages 297-299 "User's Guide," version 3.0, pages 655-658