Microsoft KB Archive/213452

= XL2000: Canceling OnTime Macro When Time Argument Is Volatile =

Article ID: 213452

Article Last Modified on 11/23/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q213452





SYMPTOMS
In Visual Basic for Applications, canceling a recursive OnTime macro may be difficult when the earliestTime argument is volatile (for example, if you are using the current time).



WORKAROUND
To cancel an OnTime method, you must call another OnTime method to set the schedule argument equal to False. However, note that this method does not work if the time argument in the OnTime method is set with the NOW function.

To prepare the first OnTime method so that you can cancel it later, create a time variable and use this variable in both cases, as in the following example:

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  Type or paste the following macro code into a module sheet in a new workbook: Dim TimeNow As Double Dim TimeStop As Double Dim TimeSet As Double

Sub RunMeFirst TimeNow = Now TimeStop = TimeNow + TimeValue("00:00:59") 'this sets the time at                                             'which all macros will 'stop TimeSet = TimeNow + TimeValue("00:00:15") Set_OnTime End Sub

Sub Set_OnTime Application.OnTime TimeSet, "TestMacro"

If TimeSet > TimeStop Then 'compare the time to stop with the time 'at which the TestMacro is scheduled to                              'run Application.OnTime TimeSet, "TestMacro",, False End If End Sub

Sub TestMacro ActiveCell.Value = 1 ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Select TimeSet = TimeSet + TimeValue("00:00:15") Set_OnTime End Sub  Activate Sheet1 in your workbook. Run the RunMeFirst macro.

The TimeStop variable is set to 59 seconds after you run the RunMeFirst macro, and the TimeSet variable is set to 15 seconds after you run the RunMeFirst macro. Then, the Set_OnTime macro is called, which in-turn checks to see if the TimeSet variable is greater than the TimeStop variable. If it is, all macros stop. If it is not, the TestMacro is called. The TestMacro places a value of 1 in the active cell, selects the next cell down from the active cell, and then resets the TimeSet variable to 15 seconds past its current value. The TestMacro then calls the Set_OnTime macro.



MORE INFORMATION
To cancel the first OnTime method, the second OnTime method must have the same serial number for the time argument as the first OnTime method. When you use a NOW function for the earliestTime argument, such as

Now + TimeValue("00:04:00")

Microsoft Excel uses the serial value of Now + TimeValue("00:04:00"). When the second OnTime method is issued, the serial value of NOW will have changed. Because the NOW function is volatile, you cannot exactly duplicate the earliestTime argument in the second OnTime method.

