XL97: How to Create a Template for a Toolbox Control (160473)

MORE INFORMATION

A template control retains all the properties you specify, which makes it easier to use than resetting the properties of the same default control each time you add the control to a UserForm.

Creating a Template Control

To create a template CommandButton control, and then add it to the Toolbox, use the following steps:

1. Close and save all workbooks in Microsoft Excel.
2. Open a new workbook.
3. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11).
4. In the Visual Basic Editor, click UserForm on the Insert menu.
   
   This step adds a UserForm to the project. (The Toolbox also appears.)
5. Add a CommandButton control to the UserForm.
6. If the Properties window is not visible, click Properties Window on the View menu.
7. In the Properties window, change the following properties for the CommandButton to the following values.

          Property          Value
          -----------------------------------
          BackColor         Red
          Caption           My button
          ControlTipText    This is my button
          Font              Courier New

   
   
   NOTE: If you fail to complete the next three steps, the template control may not be added permanently to the Toolbox.
8. On the File menu, click "Close and Return to Microsoft Excel".
9. Close and save the file.
10. Reopen the file and restart the Visual Basic Editor.
11. Drag the customized CommandButton that is on the UserForm onto the Controls tab of the Toolbox.
    
    This step copies the CommandButton to the Toolbox, which adds a control that uses all the properties of the CommandButton you created in steps 5 through 7.
12. Click the control in the Toolbox that you created in Step 11, and then add this control to the UserForm.

The control you added to the UserForm is a template of the control you created earlier. Note that it is not necessary to add a default CommandButton, and then modify all the properties again.

NOTE: The Name properties for the CommandButtons you add to the UserForm are CommandButton1 and CommandButton2. The Name property is the only property that is different when you use the template control to add a CommandButton to a UserForm.

Deleting a Template Control

To delete a template control from the Toolbox, use the following steps:

1. Right-click the template control in the Toolbox.
2. Click Delete New CommandButton on the shortcut menu that appears.