XL2000: How to Display a Custom Function in Step 2 of the Function Wizard

In Microsoft Excel 2000, you can create a custom Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications function to perform calculations. By default, this custom function appears in the Function Wizard under the function category called "User Defined." You can call custom functions with the Function Wizard in Excel just as you call built-in functions.

However, there may be times when you want to use a Visual Basic for Applications macro to bypass step 1 of the Function Wizard and display a particular custom function in step 2 of the wizard. This article demonstrates how to automatically display step 2 of the Function Wizard with a macro and populate it with your custom function.

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For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS The following sets of steps show you how to create a simple custom function and display this function in step 2 of the Function Wizard with a macro.

Creating a Custom Function

To create a custom function, first close and save any open workbooks, and then follow these steps:

1. Open a new workbook, and then start the Visual Basic Editor by pressing ALT+F11.
2. On the Insert menu, click Module, and then type the following code into the module sheet:

   Function MyFunction(x As Integer, y As Integer, z As Integer) As Long
   
      MyFunction = x * y + z
   
   End Function
   					

3. On the File menu, click Close and Return to Microsoft Excel, and then save this workbook as Test.xls.

Calling the Function from Within the Workbook

To call this function from within Test.xls, type the following formula in cell A1 on Sheet1: Cell A1 should display the value 103, because the custom function multiplies x by y and then adds z (10*10+3).

Displaying the Custom Function with a Macro

To display the custom function with a macro, follow these steps:

1. Start the Visual Basic Editor by pressing ALT+F11.
2. Type the following code into the module sheet:

   Sub CallStep2OfDialogWizard()
   
      ' Set location for the function.
      With Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("A1")
   
          ' Select cell A1.
          .Select
   
          ' Place custom function in cell.
          .Formula = "=myfunction()"
       End With
   
       ' Display step 2 of Function Wizard.
       Application.Dialogs(xlDialogFunctionWizard).Show
   
   End Sub
   					

3. On the File menu, click Close and Return to Microsoft Excel, and then save the workbook as Test.xls.
4. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros.
5. In the Macros dialog box, click to select CallStep2OfDialogWizard, and then click Run.
6. Type the following numbers for the X, Y, and Z function arguments in the wizard dialog box:

      X: 10
      Y: 10
      Z: 3
   					

7. Click OK.

Cell A1 should display the value 103, because the custom function multiplies X by Y and then adds Z (10*10+3).

For more information about user-defined functions, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type function statement in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.