4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel

By Susan Harkins in Microsoft on September 29, 2014, 12:30 AM PST

Not everyone is familiar with Excel. You can protect the data input process by using Excel's
UserForm object to collect data. Susan Harkins explains how.

When you need a user-friendly data input process, create an Excel (https://microsoft-
us.evyy.net/c/148636/434427/3327?subId1=techrepublic) UserForm. Users who are unfamiliar with Excel
will find these forms much easier to navigate than a sheet. Besides ease of use, they're great
tools for restricting choices. In this article, I'll show you how to create a UserForm object, add
controls to it, and then use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to link the controls to a sheet.
You can work with your own data or download the example .xls
(http://b2b.cbsimg.net/downloads/Thompson/ExcelUserForm.xls) or .xlsm
(http://b2b.cbsimg.net/downloads/Thompson/ExcelUserForm.xlsm) file.

LEARN MORE: Office 365 Consumer pricing and features (https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?

id=Dsoi7kEvCX0&mid=24542&u1=techrepublic&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fproducts.office.com%2Fen-
US%2Fcompare-all-microsoft-office-products%3Ftab%3D1)

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 1/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

About the data

A UserForm guides data entry, so the first thing you need is a data range. Figure A shows the
simple data set we'll work with. The workbook must be macro-enabled if you're using version
2007 or later. Click the File tab (or Office button) and choose Save As. Choose a location as
necessary. From the Save As Type drop-down menu, choose Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook
(*.xlsm).

Figure A

We'll create a simple UserForm that will help users enter new records into this data set.

Create the UserForm

Rich Female Celebrities Who You Never Knew Have Even Richer Hubbies

PAID CONTENT BY INSPIREDOT

With a bit of data in a worksheet, you're ready to move to the Visual Basic Editor (VBE) to
create the UserForm:

1. Press [Alt]+[F11] to launch the VBE.

2. Inside the VBE, choose UserForm from the Insert menu (Figure B).
Figure B

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 2/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

3. Press [F4] to display the UserForm's property sheet and enter a name in the Name control.
When you do, the VBE updates the property dialog's title, accordingly (Figure C).
Figure C

Add controls
The blank UserForm is ready for input controls. We'll add a few text box, combo box, and
command button controls. To add the first text box, do the following:

1. With the UserForm selected, click Text Box in the Toolbox and then drop it onto the form. If
the Toolbox isn't visible, be sure to click the UserForm. It's visible when the UserForm is

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 3/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

selected.
2. With the new text box control selected, name it txtGivenName using the property sheet,
which will update for the selected element (Figure D).
Figure D

Using Figure E as a guide, add the additional controls listed in Table A and name them. The
labels aren't necessary on this simple example, but when creating a UserForm for your own
data, you'll probably want to include them. When you do, Excel's default names are usually
adequate. Enter a descriptive caption for each label and the two command buttons. It's a good
idea to save your work as you progress.

SEE: Comparison chart: Office suites (http://www.techproresearch.com/downloads/comparison-chart-

office-suites/) (Tech Pro Research)

Figure E

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 4/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

Add the remaining controls.

Table A

Add code
The code behind the form makes it work. Don't let the amount of code intimidate you. The
Save command button does most of the work. Once you enter all the values, the code in this
button will transfer the entered values to the sheet. To add code, double-click the UserForm to
open its module and enter the procedures in Listing A. (Don't try to copy and paste from this

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 5/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

web page because the VBE will object to some web characters. Instead, download one of the
example files: Module1.bas (http://b2b.cbsimg.net/downloads/Thompson/Module1.bas) or ufrmAnimals.frm
(http://b2b.cbsimg.net/downloads/Thompson/ufrmAnimals.frm).)

Listing A

Private Sub cboClass_DropButtonClick()

'Populate control.
Me.cboClass.AddItem "Amphibian"
Me.cboClass.AddItem "Bird"
Me.cboClass.AddItem "Fish"
Me.cboClass.AddItem "Mammal"
Me.cboClass.AddItem "Reptile"
End Sub
Private Sub cboConservationStatus_DropButtonClick()
'Populate control.
Me.cboConservationStatus.AddItem "Endangered"
Me.cboConservationStatus.AddItem "Extirpated"
Me.cboConservationStatus.AddItem "Historic"
Me.cboConservationStatus.AddItem "Special concern"
Me.cboConservationStatus.AddItem "Stable"
Me.cboConservationStatus.AddItem "Threatened"
Me.cboConservationStatus.AddItem "WAP"
End Sub
Private Sub cboSex_DropButtonClick()
'Populate control.
Me.cboSex.AddItem "Female"
Me.cboSex.AddItem "Male"
End Sub
Private Sub cmdAdd_Click()
'Copy input values to sheet.
Dim lRow As Long
Dim ws As Worksheet
Set ws = Worksheets("Animals")
lRow = ws.Cells(Rows.Count, 1).End(xlUp).Offset(1, 0).Row
With ws
.Cells(lRow, 1).Value = Me.cboClass.Value
.Cells(lRow, 2).Value = Me.txtGivenName.Value
.Cells(lRow, 3).Value = Me.txtTagNumber.Value
.Cells(lRow, 4).Value = Me.txtSpecies.Value
.Cells(lRow, 5).Value = Me.cboSex.Value
.Cells(lRow, 6).Value = Me.cboConservationStatus.Value
.Cells(lRow, 7).Value = Me.txtComment.Value
End With
'Clear input controls.

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 6/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

Me.cboClass.Value = ""
Me.txtGivenName.Value = ""
Me.txtTagNumber.Value = ""
Me.txtSpecies.Value = ""
Me.cboSex.Value = ""
Me.cboConservationStatus.Value = ""
Me.txtComment.Value = ""
End Sub
Private Sub cmdClose_Click()
'Close UserForm.
Unload Me
End Sub

The first three procedures populate the three combo box controls. The fourth procedure,
cmdAdd_Click(), copies the input values from the UserForm to the data range in the sheet and
then clears the controls so you can enter another record. This way, the user can enter multiple
records quickly. The last procedure, cmdClose_Click(), closes the UserForm.

The procedure in Listing B opens the UserForm. In the next section, we'll add a macro button
that calls this procedure to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT). Don't add this procedure to the
UserForm's module. Instead, choose Module from the Insert menu and add the short
procedure.

Listing B

Sub ShowAnimalsUF()
'Display Animals UserForm.
ufrmAnimals.Show Modal
End Sub

Macro button access

By adding a macro button to the QAT, users will have quick and easy access to UserForm. To
add the button, do the following:

1. Click the QAT drop-down and choose More Commands.

2. From the Choose Commands From drop-down, choose Macro.
3. Select ShowAnimalsUF (Figure F) and click Add.
Figure F

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 7/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

4. Click Close.

Use the UserForm

To use the UserForm, click the macro button on the QAT to display it — wasn't that easy? Use
the drop-down lists to choose values for the combo box controls and enter values for the text
box controls. Figure G shows a new record in the UserForm.

Figure G

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 8/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

Add a new record.

To copy those values to the worksheet, click the Save Animal button. The code behind the
UserForm will copy the values from the UserForm controls to the sheet and clear the controls
for the next record, as shown in Figure H. To close the form, click the Close button.

Figure H

Copy the values to the sheet.

Worth noting
None of the code saves the record once it's copied to the sheet. You must remember to save
the workbook to save new records at the sheet level. You can add appropriate code to the
UserForm or allow users to do that themselves. In addition, there's no error-handling or data
validation in this bare-bones code. Using a combo box or list box helps you limit choices, but
you'll need additional code to protect the validity of text and number values and to force users
to enter values for required fields. As you can see, the example form allows the user to leave
fields empty.

Send me your question about Office

I answer readers' questions when I can, but there's no guarantee. When contacting me, be as
specific as possible. For example, "Please troubleshoot my workbook and fix what's wrong"
probably won't get a response, but "Can you tell me why this formula isn't returning the
expected results?" might. I'm not reimbursed by TechRepublic for my time or expertise, nor do
I ask for a fee from readers. You can contact me at susansalesharkins@gmail.com.

Microsoft Weekly Newsletter

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 9/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

Be your company's Microsoft insider with the help of these Windows and Office tutorials and our
experts' analyses of Microsoft's enterprise products. Delivered Mondays and Wednesdays
Sign up today ()

Also see
How to add a drop-down list to an Excel cell (https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/microsoft-office/how-
to-add-a-drop-down-list-to-an-excel-cell/) (TechRepublic)
How to build a successful data scientist career (free PDF) (https://www.techrepublic.com/resource-
library/whitepapers/how-to-build-a-successful-data-scientist-career-free-pdf/) (TechRepublic)
Six clicks: Excel power tips to make you an instant expert (https://www.zdnet.com/pictures/six-
clicks-excel-power-tips-to-make-you-an-instant-expert/) (ZDNet)
Office Q&A: How to update UserForm VBA code to accommodate an Excel Table
(https://www.techrepublic.com/article/office-q-a-how-to-update-userform-vba-code-to-accommodate-an-excel-
table/)(TechRepublic)
You've been using Excel wrong all along (and that's OK) (https://www.zdnet.com/article/youve-been-
using-excel-wrong-all-along-and-thats-ok/) (ZDNet)
10 steps to creating a Word userform for addressing letters (https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-
things/10-steps-to-creating-a-word-userform-for-addressing-letters/) (TechRepublic)

Affiliate disclosure: TechRepublic may earn a commission from the products and services
featured on this page.

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 10/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

WHITE PAPERS, WEBCASTS, AND DOWNLOADS

Active – Active Replication

White Papers from Quest Software

DOWNLOAD NOW

Moving Your Databases To The Cloud

White Papers from Quest Software

DOWNLOAD NOW

Meeting Your Data-Sharing Needs Now that Oracle Steams is Deprecated

White Papers from Quest Software

DOWNLOAD NOW

The Zero Impact Database Migration

White Papers from Quest Software

DOWNLOAD NOW

Simplify Your Migrations And Upgrades

White Papers from Quest Software

DOWNLOAD NOW

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 11/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

EDITOR'S PICKS

Inside the Raspberry Pi: The story of the $35 How self-driving tractors, AI, and precision
computer that changed the world agriculture will save us from the impending food
crisis

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 12/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

Smart farming: How IoT, robotics, and AI are Agriculture 4.0: How digital farming is
tackling one of the biggest problems of the century revolutionizing the future of food

The Brexit dilemma: Will London's start-ups stay or Can Russian hackers be stopped? Here's why it
go? might take 20 years

By Susan Harkins
Susan Sales Harkins is an IT consultant, specializing in desktop solutions. Previously, she
was editor in chief for The Cobb Group, the world's largest publisher of technical journals.

MICROSOFT ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE SOFTWARE COLLABORATION MOBILITY CLOUD HARDWARE

MICROSOFT ON ZDNET

Recommended Promoted Links by Taboola

Lihat 600+ Dealer Menawar Langsung Mobil-mu. Carsome-in Aja!

Carsome

New WiFi Booster Has Internet Providers Running Scared in Indonesia

SuperBoost WiFi

He Lied To His Mum He Was Working Just To Do His Business. Find Out What He Did
Ace Profits Academy

Photos: 10 privacy apps that help mobile users feel safer

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 13/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

How SMBs can better protect their business and customer data

Pro tip: A quick fix for slow QuickBooks data file connectivity

SHOW COMMENTS

EDITOR'S PICKS

Inside the Raspberry Pi: The story of the $35 How self-driving tractors, AI, and precision
computer that changed the world agriculture will save us from the impending food
crisis

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 14/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

Smart farming: How IoT, robotics, and AI are Agriculture 4.0: How digital farming is
tackling one of the biggest problems of the century revolutionizing the future of food

WHITE PAPERS, WEBCASTS, AND DOWNLOADS

Ebook: Essential Elements of a Modern B2B Architecture

eBooks From IBM

VIEW THIS NOW

IBM Partner Engagement Manager (PEM) Demo

Videos From IBM

WATCH NOW

Supply Chain Business Network Guided Tour

Videos From IBM

WATCH NOW

IBM Global Mailbox Solutions Brief: Enabling always-on operations and great...
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 15/16
4/20/2019 How to add a UserForm to aid data entry in Excel - TechRepublic

White Papers From IBM

DOWNLOAD NOW

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-add-a-userform-to-aid-data-entry-in-excel/ 16/16