Microsoft KB Archive/116028

= VB Macro to Change Between Relative/Absolute References =

Article ID: 116028

Article Last Modified on 10/11/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 98 for Macintosh

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This article was previously published under Q116028





SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel, you can use the ConvertFormula method in a Visual Basic, Applications Edition, procedure to convert cell references from A1 reference style to R1C1 reference style. This method will also allow you to change from an absolute to a relative reference and vice versa.



MORE INFORMATION
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. The following sample Visual Basic procedure uses the ConvertFormula method to convert A1 relative references to R1C1 absolute references or A1 absolute references to R1C1 relative references for a selected range.

You can also use this procedure to convert cell references between A1 and R1C1 reference style by changing the appropriate constants for "fromReferenceStyle" and "toReferenceStyle" for the ConvertFormula method.

Macro Example
Before running the macro, select one or more cells containing formulas to convert. 'Convert_Reference Type Macro 'A Visual Basic module to convert absolute references to relative 'references or relative references to absolute references.

Sub Conv_RefType

Dim Conv As String

'Prompt user to change to relative or absolute references Conv = Application.InputBox _ ("Type A to convert to Absolute, R to Relative Reference(s)", _          "Change Cell Reference Type")

'If changing relative to absolute references If UCase(Conv) = "A" Then

'Loop through each cell selected For Each Mycell In Selection

If Len(Mycell.Formula) > 0 Then

'Stores cell's formula as variable MyFormula = Mycell.Formula

'Converts formula to absolute reference style NewFormula = Application.ConvertFormula _ (Formula:=MyFormula, _                      fromReferenceStyle:=xlA1, _                       toReferenceStyle:=xlA1, _                       toAbsolute:=xlAbsolute)

'Replaces old formula with new absolute formula Mycell.Formula = NewFormula

End If

Next

'If changing absolute to relative references ElseIf UCase(Conv) = "R" Then

'Loop through each cell selected For Each Mycell In Selection

If Len(Mycell.Formula) > 0 Then

'Stores cell's formula as variable MyFormula = Mycell.Formula

'Converts formula to relative reference style NewFormula = Application.ConvertFormula _ (Formula:=MyFormula, _                      fromReferenceStyle:=xlA1, _                       toReferenceStyle:=xlA1, _                       toAbsolute:=xlRelative)

'Replaces old formula with new relative formula Mycell.Formula = NewFormula

End If

Next

'Display Error message if choice entered is invalid ElseIf UCase(Conv) <> "FALSE" Then

MyMsg = "Enter A for Absolute, R for Relative Reference(s)" MyTitle = "Option Not Valid" MyBox = MsgBox(MyMsg, 0, MyTitle)

End If

End Sub

