VBA Type

VBA Type Statement is used to define variables under one single group name with different data types assigned to each variable. This helps us to group together multiple variables under a single object to use them under the defined type name.

We can avoid using Class modules in VBA by declaring the Type statement. It does not need any string modules because we can embed it into existing modules, saving us space.

In one of the earlier articles, we discussed the “VBA ENUM” to group all the variables under a single group name.

For example, if you have a group called “Mobiles,” we have group members like Redmi, Oppo, Vivo, Samsung, LG, etc. So, the Enum statement we can group with their respective values.

Enum Mobiles

Redmi = 12000

Oppo = 18000

Vivo = 18000

Samsung = 25000

LG = 15000

End Enum

Like this, we have created enumerations in that article. The problem with the Enum statement as it can hold only a LONG data type. We can use the VBA TYPE Statement to group variables with different data types. This article will show you how to construct a Type statement in VBA. Read on.

Before you declare variables by using a Type statement, take a look at the syntax:

Type Group Name

             as Variable Data Type

             as Variable Data Type

             as Variable Data Type

             as Variable Data Type

             as Variable Data Type

End Type

These statements can be declared within and at the top of the module, like our Global Variables in VBA.

VBA Type can hold object variables. It can hold arrays. However, it cannot contain procedures or functions.

Let us start the process of declaring variables with the Type statement. Then, we will see the same example of declaring mobile brands as we used in VBA Enum.

Step 1: At the top of the module, start the word “Type” and give a name to the Type of group.

Code:

Type MobileBrands

End Type

Step 2: What are the things we usually see in mobile brands? We see names first so declare the variable as Name as String.

Code:

Type MobileBrands

   Name As String

End Type

Step 3: After the name, we check the LaunchDate. Declare the variable as LaunchDate as Date.

Code:

Type MobileBrands

   Name As String
   LaunchDate As Date

End Type

Step 4: Next, we check storage capacity to declare the variable as storage as Integer.

Code:

Type MobileBrands

  Name As String
  LaunchDate As Date
  Storage As Integer

End Type

Step 5: The next thing is we check RAM capacity.

Code:

Type MobileBrands

  Name As String
  LaunchDate As Date
  Storage As 
  RAM As Integer

End Type

Step 6: At last, we check about the price.

Code:

Type MobileBrands

  Name As String
  LaunchDate As Date
  Storage As Integer
  RAM As Integer
  Price As Long

End Type

Now, in the sub procedure, we can access all these variable data types by declaring the variable as Type, Name, i.e., MobileBrands.

Step 7: Create a subprocedure.

Code:

Sub Type_Example1()

End Sub

Step 8: Now, declare the variable “Mobile” as MobileBrands.

Code:

Sub Type_Example1()

  Dim Mobile As Mob

End Sub

Step 9: Now, with the variable name “Mobile,” we can access all the variables of “MobileBrands.”

Code:

Step 10: Now, store each value like the below.

Code:

Type MobileBrands

Name As String
LaunchDate As Date
Storage As Integer
RAM As Integer
Price As Long

End Type

Sub Type_Example1()

Dim Mobile As MobileBrands

Mobile.Name = "Redmi"
Mobile.LaunchDate = "10-Jan-2019"
Mobile.Storage = 62
Mobile.RAM = 6
Mobile.Price = 16500

MsgBox Mobile.Name & vbNewLine & Mobile.LaunchDate & vbNewLine & _
Mobile.Storage & vbNewLine & Mobile.RAM & vbNewLine & Mobile.Price

End Sub

Finally, show the result in a VBA message box like the below one.

Code:

Sub Type_Example1()

Dim Mobile As MobileBrands

Mobile.Name = "Redmi"
Mobile.LaunchDate = "10-Jan-2019"
Mobile.Storage = 62
Mobile.RAM = 6
Mobile.Price = 16500

MsgBox Mobile.Name & vbNewLine & Mobile.LaunchDate & vbNewLine & _
Mobile.Storage & vbNewLine & Mobile.RAM & vbNewLine & Mobile.Price

End Sub

Run the code using the F5 key or manually and see the result in a message box.

Like this, we can use the VBA Type statement to define new data types in the sub procedure.

Often, VBA Type compares to VBA Class modules. However, there are certain differences between them. Below are the common differences.

• Difference 1: VBA Type can contain only Public variables. VBA Class can contain both Public as well as Private variables.
• Difference 2: VBA Type cannot contain procedures and functions. VBA Class contains both of them along with properties.
• Difference 3:  One may declare VBA Type in any modules and procedures. One can only declare VBA Class in dedicated class modules.