Understanding and Utilizing Excel's UsedRange in VBA

Let's delve into the concept of 'UsedRange' in Excel, particularly how it has evolved over different versions, and its significance in VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). The UsedRange property returns a Range object that refers to the cells in a worksheet that actually contain data. However, its behavior and updates have changed with different versions of Excel.

Changes in Excel Versions

Earlier versions of Excel were finicky when it came to updating the UsedRange. If a cell had some data that made it part of the UsedRange, and that cell's data was later changed back to its default state (no content), the UsedRange would not be updated until the workbook was saved. This made it less reliable for certain operations, especially in dynamic environments. However, with Excel 2016, this has been improved; the UsedRange is updated immediately without needing to save the workbook.

Practical Example in VBA

Here's a practical example to illustrate this behavior:

Enter any content in cells A1 and C3.

In the VBA Editor's Immediate Pane, run the following code:

CMD: A1:C3

Result: Cells A1:C3 are selected.

Delete the content in cell C3.

Run the same code again in the Immediate Pane:

CMD: A1:C3

Result: In Excel 2016, only cell A1 is selected. In older versions, A1:C3 would still be selected until the workbook is saved.

In older versions, save the file, and then run the code again in the Immediate Pane:

CMD: A1:C3

Result: Only cell A1 is selected.

Legacy Behavior

Previously, the UsedRange would include any referenced cells. For instance, if cell A1 had the formula Z10, then cell Z10 would be part of the UsedRange. However, in Excel 2016, this behavior has been revised, and referenced cells are not included in the UsedRange by default.

Checking the UsedRange

The best way to check the UsedRange is to use Ctrl End on the worksheet. This will highlight the used cells. It's important to note, however, that an entry to a far-off cell can change the UsedRange.

Another method to verify the current UsedRange is to use VBA code. The following code can be run in the Immediate Pane to display the current UsedRange:

Sub ShowUsedRange()     End Sub

Conclusion

The UsedRange is an auto-updating rectangle bounded by cells with content. While it is useful for dynamic operations, its behavior can vary across different versions of Excel. It's crucial to understand how it works in different environments, such as Excel 2016, where updates happen immediately. This knowledge can greatly enhance the reliability and efficiency of your VBA scripts.