XL: How to Call a Macro Repeatedly on a Fixed Time Interval

ID: Q151503


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a


SUMMARY

You can call a macro repeatedly at a set time interval using the OnTime method and the Call statement.


MORE INFORMATION

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http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp
To call a macro four times at five-second intervals, follow these steps:
  1. Type the following code into a new module sheet:
    
               ' Module level declaration of icount, inumberofcalls. This line
          ' must be at the top of the module sheet
          Dim icount as Integer, inumberofcalls As Integer
    
          Sub StartOnTime()
    
              ' Initialize icount to 1.
              icount = 1
    
              ' Initialize inumberofcalls to 4.
              inumberofcalls = 4
    
              ' Select the range of cells for formatting.
              Range("A2:A" & inumberofcalls + 1).Select
    
              ' Format the selected cells as time.
              Selection.NumberFormat = "h:mm:ss AM/PM"
    
              ' Start in cell A1.
              Range("A1").Select
    
              ' Put the word "Time" in cell A1.
              ActiveCell.Value = "Time"
    
              ' Start the OnTimeMacro.
              Call OnTimeMacro
    
          End Sub
    
          Sub OnTimeMacro()
    
              ' Run the RunEvery5seconds macro inumberofcalls times.
              If icount <= inumberofcalls Then
    
                  ' Run the RunEvery5seconds macro in 5 seconds.
                  Application.OnTime Now + TimeValue("00:00:05"), _
                      "RunEvery5seconds"
    
                  ' Increment icount by 1.
                  icount = icount + 1
    
              Else
    
                  ' Icount is greater than inumberofcalls, so exit the macro.
                  Exit Sub
    
              End If
    
          End Sub
    
          Sub RunEvery5seconds()
    
              ' Places the current time in a cell.
              ActiveCell.Offset(icount - 1, 0).Value = Format(Now(), _
                  "hh:mm:ss")
    
              ' Runs the OnTimeMacro again.
              Call OnTimeMacro
    
          End Sub 


  2. Run the macro StartOnTime.

    The macro enters the time at which it ran into cells A2, A3, A4, and A5 on Sheet1 of the active workbook.



REFERENCES

For more information about the OnTime method in Microsoft Excel 97, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type OnTime, click Search, and then click to view "OnTime Method."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q176476 OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions
For more information about the OnTime method in Microsoft Excel version 7.0, click Answer Wizard on the Help menu and type:
OnTime
For more information about the OnTime method in Microsoft Excel version 5.0, click the Search button in Help and type:
OnTime

Additional query words: 5.00a 5.00c 8.00 XL98 XL97 XL7 XL5 timed

Keywords : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode PgmHowto KbVBA
Version : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98; WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto


Last Reviewed: November 9, 1999
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