Excel User Forms for Data Entry FAQ

Answers to FAQs (frequently asked questions) about the Excel UserForms for Data Entry ebook kit from Contextures.

Show Form Automatically

In the UserForms for Data Entry guide, there are instructions for adding a button that opens the UserForm. If you'd like the UserForm to appear automatically, as soon as the workbook is opened, follow these steps. This will add code to the workbook’s code module, in the Workbook_Open procedure:

In the UserForm workbook, press Alt + F11, to open the Visual Basic Editor (VBE)
In the Project Explorer at the left, find your UserForm workbook, and double-click on its ThisWorkbook module

At the top left of the Code window, choose Workbook from the drop down list
At the top right of the Code window, choose Open from the drop down list

A Workbook_Open procedure will be automatically created
Where the cursor is flashing, the UserForm form name, followed by ".Show" . In this example, the UserForm is named frmParts:

frmParts.Show

Click the Save button, then close the VBE window.

To test the code, save and close your workbook. Then, re-open the workbook, and enable macros (if a message appears).

Problem with Dates

Excel macros are designed for USA-formatted dates (m/d/y). If your computer is set up for a different region, you might have a problem with dates. For example, 3/5/2018 will be recognized as March 5, 2018, instead of May 3, 2018. To prevent this problem with dates, use separate controls for month, day and year in the UserForm.

Download the UserForm Date Sample file, to see an example of how to set this up. The zipped file is in xlsm format, and contains macros. Be sure to enable macros when you open the file, so you can test the UserForm.

separate boses for dates

UserForm Builder

For UserForm Builder help, go to the UserForm Builder Videos page.

Search Form Builder

For Search Form Builder help, go to the Search Form Builder Help page.