3 Ways to Get Sheet Name with Excel VBA Code

Excel VBA is a powerful tool for automating and enhancing the functionality of spreadsheets. One common task is retrieving the name of a worksheet, which can be useful for various purposes, from generating dynamic references to improving the user interface of your Excel applications. This article explores three straightforward ways to get the sheet name using VBA code, catering to different use cases and coding styles.

Method 1: Using the CodeName Property

The CodeName property is an often overlooked feature of Excel VBA that can make your coding life much simpler. This property assigns a static name to a sheet, which does not change when the user renames the worksheet tab. Here’s how you can retrieve it:

Sub GetSheetName()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets(“Sheet1”)
    MsgBox ws.CodeName
End Sub

Here's what this code does:

• ws is declared as a Worksheet object.
• The worksheet "Sheet1" is assigned to the variable ws using ThisWorkbook.Sheets.
• The CodeName of the worksheet is displayed in a message box.

💡 Note: Remember that while CodeName remains unchanged when renaming the sheet tab, it's still best to use the actual sheet name for dynamic operations or data handling.

Method 2: Using the Name Property

This method is more dynamic as it retrieves the actual name of the sheet as seen in the Excel interface:

Sub GetSheetName()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Sheets(“Sheet1”)
    MsgBox ws.Name
End Sub

• ws is declared as a Worksheet object.
• The worksheet "Sheet1" is assigned to ws.
• The Name property of the worksheet is shown in a message box.

Using the Name property ensures you work with the name the user sees, making it ideal for applications that need to reflect changes in the workbook.

Method 3: Looping through Worksheets

This method is useful if you need to iterate through all sheets or get names in bulk:

Sub GetSheetNames()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim msg As String
    For Each ws In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
        msg = msg & ws.Name & vbNewLine
    Next ws
    MsgBox msg
End Sub

• A loop iterates through all worksheets in the workbook.
• The name of each sheet is concatenated to msg, separated by new lines.
• A message box displays all the sheet names.

🔍 Note: This method is particularly useful for creating lists or when you need to reference all sheets dynamically.

Each of these methods has its advantages depending on your needs:

• CodeName for static references.
• Name for dynamic references.
• Looping through for bulk operations.

Understanding these methods allows you to manipulate Excel more efficiently, reducing the chance of errors due to user changes in sheet names. You can also adapt these VBA snippets to perform more complex tasks like: - Printing sheet names to a cell range. - Checking for specific sheet names. - Handling errors if sheets are not found.

By mastering these fundamental techniques, you'll unlock a greater level of control over your Excel applications, ensuring they're robust against user modifications.

The wrap-up, Excel VBA offers multiple ways to retrieve sheet names, each with its own merits. Whether you're aiming for static references, dynamic interactions, or bulk operations, there's a method to suit your needs. By incorporating these VBA techniques, you can significantly enhance the functionality and resilience of your Excel-based projects, making them more user-friendly and adaptable to changes in your work environment.

What is the difference between Name and CodeName in Excel VBA?

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The Name property refers to the tab name of the worksheet, which can be changed by the user at any time. The CodeName property, on the other hand, is the name assigned to the sheet code within VBA, which does not change with tab name alterations. It’s static and often used for referencing sheets in VBA code where consistency is required.

Can I change the CodeName of a worksheet?

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Yes, you can change the CodeName of a worksheet, but it involves more steps than simply renaming the tab:

1. Open the Visual Basic Editor.
2. In the Properties window (usually bottom left), locate the sheet you want to change.
3. Change the (Name) property to a new, valid name.

How can I get the name of the active sheet?

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To get the name of the active sheet, you can use:

Sub ActiveSheetName()
    MsgBox ActiveSheet.Name
End Sub

Why might you prefer to use CodeName instead of Name in VBA?

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Using CodeName in VBA code ensures that your references remain intact even if the user changes the tab name, making your code more stable. It’s particularly useful when creating event handlers or when referencing sheets in a way that should not be affected by user changes.

Is there a way to dynamically update a cell with the current sheet name?

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Yes, you can set a cell to automatically update with the current sheet name using this VBA code:

Sub UpdateSheetName()
    With ActiveSheet
        .Range(“A1”).Value = .Name
    End With
End Sub

You could also call this subroutine through a Worksheet_Change event or an on-sheet activation event to keep the cell updated.