code execution has been interrupted window

How to Make Excel Wait or Pause in a VBA Macro

When running macros, I have often found the need for an Excel wait or pause, mainly so that other things can happen. DoEvents surely helps for waiting for things to happen within Excel, but sometimes you need to wait for processes to start or finish outside of Excel before moving onto other steps in VBA.

Why Wait?

I am a big fan of automating processes, especially with VBA in Excel. For example, I update and save a spreadsheet to SharePoint that a Power BI model is using. I have a Power Automate process set up that automatically refreshes the Power BI model whenever this particular spreadsheet is updated. The challenge is that Power BI temporary locks the workbook as it reads it, so if I am updating a few times in a short amount of time, Excel needs to wait until the SharePoint file is unlocked.

Also, I have another process where I call a Python script and once that is done, I continue on with VBA code to process the workbook Python outputs. I need Excel to wait while the Python code runs. Side note: let me know if you would like me to write more about these other automated processes.

The Solution

Good news – making Excel wait is very easy! Here is the simple code:

This will have Excel wait for 50 seconds since the time is represented as (H:MM:SS). You can adjust as needed.

Bonus

In my code, I don’t need it to wait every time – only when it runs into an issue saving the workbook on SharePoint. Here is how I have set my code using an error handler in my VBA macro.

I hope this helps you! Please comment or reach out if you would like to see other topics covered. I truly enjoy writing about Excel tips and tricks, especially VBA and automation!

Addressed in this post (to help others find this):

  • How to pause Excel
  • How to make Excel pause
  • Make VBA pause
  • Make VBA wait
  • Make Excel wait
  • VBA code wait, VBA macro wait
  • VBA code pause, VBA macro pause
  • VBA wait for another application

Executing SQL in Excel Tool/Template

Amazing Method for Executing SQL Queries in Excel Using VBA (Import Data) – No Need to Use Multiple Applications!

I have found several use cases for my team and I to save time and utilize Excel alone for pulling data via SQL, as opposed to running queries in Access, SSRS, SSMS or Toad and then exporting that data into Excel for manipulation and analysis. There is not only the benefit of saving time by skipping the export/import process, but also in the ability to build templates/files and save them for quick and easy future SQL pulls. The days of needing multiple applications for your SQL pulls to import into Excel are over!

The best use cases I’ve found that support this method are repeatable processes where the same input variables are required each time, and where the query results will not exceed the row limitations of an Excel sheet (~1M). Even in this case, you may find the first two sections of this post useful for learning about constructing and executing SQL queries for use outside of Excel. This alone may save you time if you are in the habit of writing long and involved queries with changing criteria.

If you are exceeding the Excel row limit but still want to work in Excel, using Power Pivot can handle this, so you may wish to utilize Power Query instead. See my post on utilizing parameters with Power Query here for more information on how to import the data this way.

I have also found this approach to be useful when pulling data from different sources using the same criteria. It saves me lots of time.

In this example, we will construct and then run a simple SQL query using a few parameters/variables that we enter into the spreadsheet.

Follow along so you can see how it works in practice, and then I encourage you to try it out with your own data. Once you master this method, hopefully you will find amazing ways to apply it to your own work!

A copy of the file described in this post is available for purchase – just reach out to me for information. A more complex version that handles wildcards is also for sale.


Setting Up the Variables/Criteria/Parameters for Executing SQL Queries in Excel

My goal will be to run this query: Select * from Store where CreatedDate > #3/1/2022# and State = ‘GA’

  • The two variables in this example will be the created date (3/1/2022) and the State (GA).
  • At the top of my first sheet, we will designate named ranges for the two inputs.
  • Simply type in Created Date in cell A1 to identify the input, then in cell B1, type in 3/1/22.
  • Make B1 a named range – we will call this CreatedDate.
  • Similarly, in A2, type in State, and then in B2, type in GA. Ultimately, you can add in data validation and use lists, but let’s keep it very simple for now.
  • Make cell B2 a named range called State.
    • If you are not familiar with named ranges, the easiest way to make one is to select the cell or cells and then type the name into the dropdown box at the top left next to the formula bar, where the cell address is displayed. Alternately, you can press CTRL+F3 to bring up the Named Ranges dialog box.
SQL Execution in Excel VBA - setting up the inputs for the variables using Named Ranges
Executing SQL Queries in Excel – Setting up Inputs for Variables Using Named Ranges

Constructing the SQL Statement

From here, we can either construct the SQL statement in an Excel sheet or in VBA. I have found that it is far easier to construct in an Excel sheet, especially for complex statements with many criteria. This way certainly allows for more flexibility and better troubleshooting in my opinion. Also, it’s easier to manage from a support standpoint.

  • I will add a new sheet/tab to house the SQL Statement. I will start by typing in the full statement I expect in to A1, just to use as a reference as I build out the statement in the cells below.
  • I then break the statement out line by line, using column A for the variables, and column B for the statements and column C for the joining of statements with variables.
  • Finally, I use the TEXTJOIN function in cell A4 to join together all of the rows in the combined section. I used a space as the delimiter (” “). This ensures proper spacing throughout the resulting SQL statement.
  • I then make cell A4 a named range called SQLStatement.
  • See image below to see how I have achieved all of this.
    • I have included some helper/formula notes on how to format the variables, since the SQL statement has to be properly formatted in order to work.
Executing SQL Queries in Excel variable setup
Construction of SQL Queries in Excel

VBA Code for Executing SQL Statement and Importing the Data

  • Open the VBA editor (Alt + F11).
  • Add a new module.
  • Add a new subroutine. I’ve called mine SQLPull.
  • Very important step – enable the required references. Go to the Tools menu and select References. Select the ActiveX Data Objects 2.8 Library and Recordset 6.0 Library – see the last two checked in the image below (yours may be different versions). Click OK to save.
VBA Project References – ActiveX Data Objects/Recordset

Here is an overview the VBA code I wrote, that is pasted below.

  • Note that it will connect to the database you identify after you update the connection string if needed.
  • It will then execute the SQL select statement and grab the recordset.
  • The code will then write the headers from the query into the cells identified.
  • Next, it will paste the rows that are returned by the SQL query, starting in the specified cell.
  • Finally it will close the connection and end the subroutine.
  • For my applications of this, I like to switch to manual calculation and turn off screen updating because I have found it improves the speed of loading the data. You may choose to leave these alone if working with less data.

I have added commentary and explanations throughout to hopefully help you to modify as needed to support your own needs.

Sub SQLPull()

‘* www.bonbonsguide.com *
‘Importing Data into Excel using a SQL select statement in a cell

Dim Conn As New ADODB.Connection
Dim mrs As New ADODB.Recordset
Dim DBPath, sconnect, sqlstring As String
Dim icols As Long

””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘Database Name/Path
””””””””””””””””””””””””’
DBPath = STOREDB

‘NOTE:
‘If you are querying a SQL Server or Oracle DB, use the name of the database:
‘DBPath = YourDatabaseName

‘If you are querying an Access Database, use the path to the file in quotes:
‘DBPath = “\myfileserver\Bonbon\MyAccessDB.accdb” OR “F:\Bonbon\MyAccessDB.accdb”

””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘Connection String
””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘The DSN is the existing ODBC connection on your PC – this must be set up first!

‘Uncomment the applicable sconnect string for your database and modify as needed. For MS Access, no modifications should be needed.

‘SQL Server using Windows Authentication:
sconnect = “Provider=MSDASQL.1;DSN=STOREDB;DBQ=” & DBPath & “;HDR=Yes’;”

‘ORACLE Connection using an UID/PWD:
‘sconnect = “Provider=MSDASQL.1;DSN=WAREHOUSE;uid=bonbonsguide;pwd=helpsus;DBQ=” & DBPath & “;HDR=Yes’;”

‘MS Access:
‘sconnect = “Provider = Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0; data source=” & DBPath & “;”

””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘Set Timeouts (These may not be required in your environment)
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
Conn.ConnectionTimeout = 200
Conn.CommandTimeout = 200

””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘Connect to datasource
””””””””””””””””””””””””’
Conn.Open sconnect

””””””””””””””””””””””””’””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘VBA get SQL Statement from Sheet/Named Range
””””””””””””””””””””””””’””””””””””””””””””””””””’
sqlstring = Range(“SQLstatement”)

””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
‘Get the recordset – this command will execute the SQL Statement’
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
mrs.Open sqlstring, Conn

””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
‘Return the Header Names
‘”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘If you don’t need the headers or are using your own, comment the block out

‘Where Headers will be pasted:
‘Sheet1 = Sheet identifier – use Sheets(“name of sheet”) to use sheet name instead
‘Cells (4 – indicates row 4, + 3 indicates to start in column C) … Edit this as needed

For icols = 0 To mrs.Fields.Count – 1
Sheet1.Cells(4, icols + 3).Value = mrs.Fields(icols).Name
Next

””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
‘OPTIONAL – SPEED UP IMPORT
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
‘If retrieving lots of records, it may speed it up if you set calculation to manual during the import process.
‘Setting the screen updating to false may also speed up the import. Comment these out if preferred.
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual
Application.ScreenUpdating = False

””””””””””””””””””””””””’””””””””””””””””””””””””’””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘OPTIONAL – CLEAR DATA IN ROWS BEFORE PASTING RECORDSET OR DO OTHER PREP
””””””””””””””””””””””””’””””””””””””””””””””””””’””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘Add your code here.

””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
‘Paste the Rows/Records
‘”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’

‘Importing rows returned – the range below will be where the data starts – line this up with the headers, one row below.
Sheet1.Range(“C5”).CopyFromRecordset mrs

””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
‘Close the Recordset
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
mrs.Close

””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
‘Close Connection
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
Conn.Close

”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
‘Turn automatic calculation and screen updating back on.
”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic
Application.Calculate
Application.ScreenUpdating = True

End Sub

Wrapping Up

I hope this helps you out. Below is the final look of my file for this example. I have added a button for the users to click in order to run the VBA code and execute the SQL by assigning the macro. I have formatted so the data returns in a table for easy manipulation and analysis. I have also updated the general formatting and named the sheets.

To save you time, a copy of the file is available for purchase – just reach out to me for information.

I also have another sample template file available that allows you to put multiple criteria in a list and constructs the query accordingly, searching all items. It even allows for the use of wildcards by automatically formulating LIKE statements! Exciting stuff! Contact me if interested in purchasing.

Tool for Execution of SQL Queries in Excel (For Sale)
Tool for Execution of SQL Queries in Excel (For Sale)

code execution vba

Code Execution Has Been Interrupted- VBA Keeps Breaking – Solved!

How to stop code execution has been interrupted error in Excel VBA.

My Excel VBA Keeps Breaking: A “code execution has been interrupted” keeps coming up, but my Code is Not “Broken”

So I have to share this handy trick.  Sometimes when I’m running VBA code in Excel, it starts getting wonky.  The Break/Debug window keeps popping up during execution, for no good reason.  Code execution has been interrupted, over and over.    The code has run perfectly fine in the past, perhaps hundreds of times.  It’s almost as if something is stuck and hanging in the background.  Restarting Excel does no good.  It seems that the VBA interface itself needs a reset, but clicking reset does nothing.

Solution!!

code execution has been interrupted window

When you receive the code execution has been interrupted pop-up,  click Debug.

Then press Ctrl+Pause/Break twice.

Click on the Green Arrow or press F5 to resume.

You should be good to go, as long as there is nothing inherently wrong with your VBA code!

I’m not sure how or why this works,but it does. I think there may be some sort of bug in Excel, so hopefully it will be fixed at some point.  I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me!  Simple solutions sure are the best!

Comment below and let me know if there are other issues you would like me to solve!

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