XL97: No Data Validation Property for UserForm TextBoxes

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you add a TextBox control to a custom UserForm, you cannot use a property to automatically validate the data that is typed in the TextBox when you run a macro that displays the UserForm.

CAUSE

In Microsoft Excel 97, you cannot use a property that allows you to validate the data. This behavior is different from earlier versions of Microsoft Excel. In earlier versions, you can set the InputType property for an Edit Box control that you place in a custom dialog box.

RESOLUTION

To validate the data that is typed in a TextBox on a custom UserForm, create an event-driven macro that verifies the data. Please see the "More Information" section for an example that shows you how to implement such a macro.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides examples of Visual Basic for Applications procedures for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. The Visual Basic procedures in this article are provided 'as is' and Microsoft does not guarantee that they can be used in all situations. While Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular macro, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality, nor will they help you construct macros to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to consult one of the Microsoft Solution Providers. Solution Providers offer a wide range of fee-based services, including creating custom macros. For more information about Microsoft Solution Providers, call Microsoft Customer Information Service at (800) 426-9400.

The following example steps you through the process of creating a new UserForm with a TextBox control that allows you to type only numerical values in the TextBox. If you type non-numerical data in the TextBox, a message box that prompts you to re-enter the data or to cancel the procedure appears. To create the UserForm, use the following steps:

1. Create a new workbook, point to Macro on the Tools menu, and click Visual Basic Editor to start the Visual Basic Editor.

2. In the Visual Basic Editor, insert a new UserForm into your project.

3. If the Toolbox is not visible, click Toolbox on the View menu.

4. Click TextBox in the Toolbox, and then draw a TextBox on the UserForm.

5. Double-click the TextBox.

6. Type the following code in this Visual Basic module:

   Private Sub TextBox1_Change()

              Dim okstop As Boolean
              Dim yesno_continue As Boolean
              Dim mytext As String
   
              okstop = False
   
              Do
                  mytext = TextBox1.Value
                  If Not IsNumeric(mytext) And mytext <> "" Then
                      TextBox1.Value = ""    'Clears the TextBox
   
                      'Shows a message box that informs you that you typed
                      'something other than a number.
                      yesno_continue = MsgBox("Please type only numbers." & _
                          Chr(13) & "Continue?", vbYesNo)
                  Else
                      okstop = True   'You typed a number in the TextBox.
                  End If
   
              'Continue with the loop if you click Yes.
              'Stop the loop if they typed a number in the TextBox.
              Loop Until (yesno_continue = vbNo) Or (okstop = True)
   
          End Sub
   
   

7. On the Insert menu, click Module.

1. On this module sheet, type the following code:

          Sub Data_Validate()
              UserForm1.Show  'Displays the custom UserForm.
          End Sub
   
   

2. Run the Data_Validate macro.

1. Click the Close button in the top right corner of the UserForm window

       to dismiss the UserForm.
   

REFERENCES

For more information about the TextBoxes, start the Visual Basic Editor, click Office Assistant, type "TextBox", click Search, and then click "TextBox Control".