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XL2000: How to Programmatically Convert Column Position Numbers to Column Letters


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This article was previously published under Q213264

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Summary

In Microsoft Excel you can create a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Sub procedure (macro) that uses the Column property to return the column position, and then converts the column position number to the column letter.

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More information

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 Microsoft Advisory Services. For more information, visit these Microsoft Web sites:

Microsoft Certified Partners - https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

Microsoft Advisory Services - http://support.microsoft.com/gp/advisoryservice

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 To create and use a macro that uses the Column property to return the position number of the first column in specified range, and then converts the position number to the column letter, use the steps in the following example:
  1. Start Excel, and then press ALT+F11 to start the Visual Basic editor.
  2. On the Insert menu, click Module.
  3. In the module sheet, type the following code:
    Sub Convert_Column()
        Dim MyColumn As String, Here As String
        ' Get the address of the active cell in the current selection.
        Here = ActiveCell.Address
        ' Because .Address is $<columnletter>$<rownumber>, drop the first
        ' character and the characters after the column letter(s).
        MyColumn = Mid(Here, InStr(Here, "$") + 1, InStr(2, Here, "$") - 2)
        ' Show the answer.
        MsgBox MyColumn
    End Sub
    						
  4. Press ALT+F11 to return to Excel.
  5. Select cells C1:E5
  6. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros.
  7. In the Macro name list, select Convert_Column, and then click Run. The macro returns a message box that contains the letter "C".

    NOTE: You can use this macro for any selected cell or range of cells.

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References

For more information about the Column property, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type column in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

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Keywords: KB213264, kbprogramming, kbhowto, kbdtacode

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Article Info
Article ID : 213264
Revision : 8
Created on : 11/23/2006
Published on : 11/23/2006
Exists online : False
Views : 281