XL97: Returning Data with DAO to a Custom Worksheet Function (167179)

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Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals 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 needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site: The following sample macro assumes you installed the Data Access Objects component of Microsoft Office and the Northwind database files (Customer.dbf, Employee.dbf, and Orders.dbf) on your computer.

NOTE: By default, the Northwind database files are installed in the Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office folder.

To use the example macro, follow these steps:

1. Close all open workbooks, and then create a new workbook.
2. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11), and then click Module on the Insert menu.
3. On the Tools menu, click References.
4. In the References dialog box, click "Microsoft DAO 3.5 Object Library," and then click OK.
5. Enter the following code in the module:

         Function DAO_Array() As Variant
   
             Dim db As Database
             Dim rs As Recordset
             Dim varrecords As Variant
             Dim MyPath As String
   
             ' This is the path to the Northwind database .dbf files.
             MyPath = "c:\program files\microsoft office\office"
   
             ' Open the Northwind database.
             Set db = OpenDatabase(MyPath, False, False, "dBase 5.0;")
   
             ' Select all records in the Customer.dbf table.
             Set rs = db.OpenRecordset("Customer")
   
             ' Move the pointer to the last record of the retrieved data.
             rs.MoveLast
   
             ' Count the number of records that are returned.
             x = rs.RecordCount
   
             ' Move the record pointer to the first record. This is required
             ' to return the number of records specified by the RecordCount
             ' property. If this is not done, the record pointer remains on
             ' the last record and only the last record is returned.
             rs.MoveFirst
   
             ' Return the records to a Variant variable containing the array.
             varrecords = rs.GetRows(x)
   
             ' Transpose the data so it is orientated correctly.
             DAO_Array = Application.Transpose(varrecords)
   
             rs.Close
             db.Close
   
         End Function
   						

6. Switch to Microsoft Excel (press ALT+F11).
7. On Sheet1, select the range A1:D4.
8. Type =DAO_Array(), and then press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.

This step enters the formula as an array formula. The data from the Customer table is entered in the range you select.

NOTE: If the function returns more data than the range of cells can contain, the data is cut off; that is, the range does not expand to hold the returned data. If the range of cells is too large, cells that do not contain any data display the #N/A error value.