Excel VBA Best Practice

Simon Murphy
simon.murphy@codematic.net
Developer – Codematic Ltd

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Spreadsheet background
• Up to 200 Mb size
• Up to 1 Million formulas
• 1-10,000 unique formulas
• 5-10,000 lines of VBA
• £Billions in values
• Often linked to other technologies such as OLAP, ADO,
COM or .net etc.
• Finance, Banking and Sales and Marketing areas
• Development cost up to $1M
• Active member of Eusprig – European Spreadsheet Risk
group – dedicated to raising awareness of dangers and
error rates in commercial spreadsheets www.eusprig.org

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 • Security
Agenda
• Fundamental Imperative
• Development process
• Development environment
• Design considerations
• High quality code
– General
– Modules
– Procedures
– Blocks
– Variables
– Excel Specific advice
– Classes
• Avoiding common errors
• Debugging
• Testing
• Documentation
• Resources

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Security
• Is everybody’s concern
• Spreadsheets can be used as a staging board for privilege escalation (with
your login details!)
• Consider SD3 +C
– Secure by
• Design
• Default
• Deployment
• Communication
• Threat Modelling – Assets, Threats
• Threat Types – STRIDE
– (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service,
Elevation of Privilege)
• Threats – rate with DREAD
– (Damage potential, Reproducibility, Exploitability, Affected Users,
Discoverability)
• Spreadsheets (all flavours) are fairly insecure
– Compiled UDFs (.net, COM, XLL) and Database servers can help
• Set macro security to high and use code signing certificates.
• See Microsoft MOC 2840A – Implementing security for more info.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Fundamental Imperative
• Manage complexity (McConnell)
• Solution complexity grows at 4 x the rate of
problem complexity. (Glass)
• [Things] should be as simple as they can be, but
no simpler (Einstein)
• K.I.S.S.
• This principle should drive all other work.
• Easier to build, easier to test, easier to
document, easier to use, etc… [No conflict]
UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Development Process
• Systems Development lifecycle
– Requirements,
– Analysis,
– Logical Design,
– <Technology Choice>,
– Physical Design,
– Construction,
– Test,
– Release,
– Maintain.
– In some shape or form.
• Understanding the requirements is critical and difficult
• Some sort of structured approach is useful
• Build a library of useful code and references
UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Design – 2 Questions, 2 Approaches
• 2 Questions
– What will happen when things go right?
– What will happen when things go wrong?
• 2 Approaches:
– What will the system do?
– What real world objects am I modelling?

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Coupling
• How strongly 2 separate elements depend on
each other
• Low coupling is better, especially through clearly
defined interfaces
• High coupling often means hidden dependencies
which generally leads to incorrect modifications
(side effects)
• Example: hard coded cell addresses in VBA code
• Example: Gobal/Public variables

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Fan in / fan out
• Low fan in – a VBA routine depends on
only a few other units
– Good because it minimises dependencies and
reduces complexity
• High fan out – a VBA routine is used by
many others
– Good because it minimises duplication
- Good because routine is more thoroughly
exercised

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Development Environment
• Option explicit
• Don’t warn about syntax errors
• Actual set up - which windows are visible etc
• Use a code library
• Use MZ tools
• Other tools – call tree, indenter, reference checker,
BYG
• Source control, even just exporting as text

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Design Considerations
• Simplicity
• Testability
• Cohesion and coupling
• Fan in fan out
• Encapsulation and separation
• Reusability
• What does it do, or what are you modelling?
• N tier – especially msgbox and error handling
• Consider future changes and/or enhancements
• Design patterns eg: singleton, factory, facade
• Design ‘normal’ case and ‘error’ case

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code – General 1
• Naming convention:
– Option 1 fit in with current standards (eg Reddick 3 letter)
– Option 2 give everything a simple, distinctive, non abbreviated descriptive
name
• Procedures – verb noun combination
• Variables – add scope prefix, data type maybe, usage more useful – eg
m_rwCustomer for row in customer table or colMonth for month
column.
• Only use a type prefix if you know what it is doing for you and you value that.
(eg probably don’t need ‘obj’)
• Avoid most comments – make meaning crystal clear in the code.
• Move non standard code and workarounds to named routines, and comment if
necessary
• refactor early and often
• build test routines as you go, and at least step through in the debugger.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code – General 2
• Recognise when you move from procedure based design to module/object
based (eg procs need to return >1 value, lots of parameters get passed all
around)
• Object Oriented designs can be useful, but can cost performance
• The biggest factor on performance is design
• Be aware of Excel/VBA limitations, and clear on its strengths
• Use ‘TODO’ and maybe ‘Enhancement’ comments (don’t release until TODOs
cleared – (use edit find in project)
• Use shift+F2 for definitions, F8, Shift+F8 and Ctrl+Shift+F8 (step out) and
stop
• Note compiler is weak compared to C++
• Use code cleaner regularly
• Differentiate style from quality
• Use the most restrictive scope that works for variables and routines

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code - Modules
• As solution complexity increases think in terms of modules rather
than procedures
• Use enums to add understanding
• Could use types but probably better to go straight to classes.
• Module name should explain what it does, a comment at the top
may be useful.
• May need 1 or 2 global variables, but may need lots of module level
variables
• A module should represent a bunch of closely related things eg: use
common data
• Use Option private module otherwise public routines will be listed in
the user defined functions list.
• Forms should usually call straight out to a class or module to do the
real work.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code - Procedures
• Anatomy of a procedure/object – initialisation, process, clear up,
error handling
• Short routines 40-50 lines max (one screens worth) (easier to
understand – but not proven to reduce errors)
• A procedure should do one thing well
• Prefer functions (Boolean success/failure)
• Use parameters rather than global variables (max 7+/- 2)
• Avoid application.run – breaks VBA error handling
• Use separate routines for separate error handling
• Consider error handling early, use break on all errors when testing
• Use environ rather than api where possible (simple)
• All call tree parents should have error handling
• Test performance don’t guess (see perfmon)
• Protect procedures from bad input (including malicious input)

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code - Blocks
• Code block start and end together
• IF using If…then code an Else if, add a comment, only
remove it if you are sure there is no ‘else’ case (missing
the else is a common error)
• Code the expected behavoir first, usually.
• Use do while and do until loops, be sure they will end, I
generally mainly use for next and for each next, finding
out the end first helps with status bar updates.
• In a Select Case always have a default case, possibly
with an error warning.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code - Variables
• Don’t reuse variables for different purposes, avoid ‘temp’
• Use clear data types, and control them (watch out for implicit coercion)
• Variants are often easier to work with than arrays
• Pass parameters byVal if they are not to be changed (watch for coercion)
• Explicitly use byRef in an input parameter is to be changed, but watch for signs to
redesign
• Don’t implicitly use the default property, be explicit (eg range.value)
• Magic numbers and strings should be made into constants.
• Use explicit data casting Cstr() Cbool() etc
• Code with early binding if at all possible (new), change to late binding to support multiple
versions or if component may not be installed. Late can be slower and may need better
error handling.
• Can define all variables together at top or just before they are needed both have pros
and cons.
• Sometimes a simple i, j, x or y is better than a long datatype prefixed descriptive name
for a loop index
• Boolean variable should be named so True or False make sense – eg use done rather
than status
• Booleans should be positive eg if not found then… rather than if not notFound then…
• Never mess with a loop counter within the loop.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code – Excel 1
• Its usually dangerous to hardcode a range reference in VBA.
• Use range names to connect code to worksheet ranges
• Choose a single cell range name as a start point
• Choose a multi-cell range to allow the user to insert/delete
rows/columns
• Use in cell text where possible, closely ties the mechanics to what the
user uses.
• Always check cell text thoroughly before depending on it
• Note data validation is easily bypassed
• Give sheets code names and use them
• Take the first few rows and columns for system use, hide them if
necessary
• Check the selection type with typeOf if you are going to use it.
• Generally avoid selecting and copying – set values instead where
possible.
• Be clear and explicit which workbook and worksheet code should
operate on, especially ThisWorkbook v ActiveWorkbook for add-ins.
UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code – Excel 2
• Pulling Range.Value or Range.Formula into a variant is much faster
than looping the cells.
• Use worksheet.cells(r,c) structure rather than range(“A” &
someNumber)
• Be consistent how you use ranges (I usually use sheet.
[rangeName].value)
• Remember the power of R1C1 notation
• Its often easier to set the formulaR1C1 than the formula of a range.
• If distributing code with references, consider making it late bound.
• Use standard environment management routines
• Use Excel functionality wherever possible
• Use doEvents where needed
• Work upwards when deleting rows, otherwise counters get messed up
• Watch for inadvertently firing events, don’t hog the onCalculate event

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 High Quality Code - Classes
• Classes result from asking ‘what am I modelling?’ rather
than ‘what is this system to do?’
• Full class based design may be overkill for most VBA
applications
• Hard/impossible to combine the best of spreadsheets with
proper OO – data hiding is not possible.
• Classes may be useful when a set of routines share lots of
data and it becomes cumbersome to pass around as
parameters
• Or when you need to return a complex type from a routine

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Avoiding Common Errors
• Consider lifetime – initialise, set, use, destroy (CRUD –
Create, read, update, delete)
• Off by one errors, especially ranges into variants, arrays,
loops and ubound()
• Watch for index cross talk
• Dim x, y as integer => x is a variant
• StrComp, InStr – check the documentation

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Debugging and Testing
• Debugging
– Immediate window
– Locals
– Debug.print debug.assert
• Testing
– Pre-conditions and post conditions
– Use a ‘test’ module, and application.run for private routines
– Test early and test often
– Keep all test code – it can act as a specification, and can give comfort that
later changes do not break anything
– Get good test data – realistic, test full range including boundary conditions,
but weight testing towards real world use.
– Execution testing v static testing and code inspection/review.
– Unit testing, system testing, user acceptance testing.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Documentation
• If you design for simplicity only very minor additional
documentation is needed
• Design and build the user Interface with the Users needs
primary, the documentation will automatically be there
• Design and build the business logic parts with the
maintainers needs primary, the main documentation will
automatically be there, expand as required.
• Integral tests should explicitly clarify intent.
• Reports should contain enough description to be meaningful.
• External documentation is almost always so out of date its
worse than useless.
• Excessive documentation is too hard to plod through
• Poorly targeted documentation is pointless
• Working software is more useful than documentation
• Sometimes documentation is important

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Documentation
• Call tree print out should be enough for most uses
• Be clear who the target audience is
• Should be auto generated from source code if it is to be up
to date.
• Stepping through code is often the easiest way to
understand it.
• Download a VBA to HTML addin to pretty up code for
printing.
• PUP provides a nice summary, MZ Tools creates a weighty
document.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Extending Excel
• Excel is powerful not perfect
• Leverage benefits whilst managing weaknesses
by using complimentary technologies
• Data: VBA, ADO, ODBC, OLAP, .net, COM, Info
Bridge, XML, DDE, Web Queries, SOX Solution
Accelerator
• Logic: VBA, COM, .net, xll, Pivots, Filters
• Search the web for vast array of free or cheap
tips and tools.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Summary
• Manage complexity
• Consider security carefully
• Excel/VBA not the best tool for everything
• Be defensive, especially with inputs
• Understand your data
• Aim for cohesive models with low coupling
• Use names to connect VBA to worksheets
• Use complimentary technologies where
appropriate
• Manage documentation

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Resources
• Books
– Code complete 2 – Steve McConnell
– Professional Excel Development – Stephen Bullen, Rob Bovey &
John Green
– VBA Developers Handbook – Ken Getz
• Tools
– www.oaltd.co.uk (Stephen Bullen), Call Tree, Smart Indenter
– www.BYGSoftware.com Toolbar creator and back up.
– www.appspro.com (Rob Bovey) code cleaner
– www.j-walk.com – (John W), PUP
– www.MZ-tools.com MZ tools VBA IDE addin.
– www.codematic.net reference checker.

UK XL User
Conference 2006
 Questions?
• simon.murphy@codematic.net
– Spreadsheet consulting, reviewing,
maintaining, rescuing, migrating, add-in
development etc.
– Staff coaching, mentoring and training
• Websites
– www.codematic.net
– www.xlanalyst.co.uk

UK XL User
Conference 2006