Excel VBA Function Tutorial: Return, Call, Examples

Details: Last Updated: 13 December 2018

What is a Function?

A function is a piece of code that performs a specific task and returns a result. Functions are mostly used to carry out repetitive tasks such as formatting data for output, performing calculations, etc.

Suppose you are developing a program that calculates interest on a loan. You can create a function that accepts the loan amount and the payback period. The function can then use the loan amount and payback period to calculate the interest and return the value.

Why use functions

The advantages of using functions are the same as the ones in the above section on why use subroutines.

Rules of naming functions

The rules for naming functions as the same as the ones in the above section on rules for naming subroutines.

VBA Syntax for declaring Function

Private Function myFunction (ByVal arg1 As Integer, ByVal arg2 As Integer)
    myFunction = arg1 + arg2
End Function

HERE in the syntax,

Code	Action
"Private Function myFunction(…)"	Here the keyword "Function" is used to declare a function named "myFunction" and start the body of the function. The keyword 'Private' is used to specify the scope of the function
"ByVal arg1 As Integer, ByVal arg2 As Integer"	It declares two parameters of integer data type named 'arg1' and 'arg2.'
myFunction = arg1 + arg2	evaluates the expression arg1 + arg2 and assigns the result to the name of the function.
"End Function"	"End Sub" is used to end the body of the function

Function demonstrated with Example:

Functions are very similar to the subroutine. The major difference between a subroutine and a function is that the function returns a value when it is called. While a subroutine does not return a value, when it is called. Let's say you want to add two numbers. You can create a function that accepts two numbers and returns the sum of the numbers.

Create the user interface
Add the function
Write code for the command button
Test the code

Step 1) User interface

Add a command button to the worksheet as shown below

Set the following properties of CommanButton1 to the following.

S/N	Control	Property	Value
1	CommandButton1	Name	btnAddNumbers
2		Caption	Add Numbers Function

Your interface should now appear as follows

Step 2) Function code.

Press Alt + F11 to open the code window
Add the following code

Private Function addNumbers(ByVal firstNumber As Integer, ByVal secondNumber As Integer)
    addNumbers = firstNumber + secondNumber
End Function

HERE in the code,

Code	Action
"Private Function addNumbers(…)"	It declares a private function "addNumbers" that accepts two integer parameters.
"ByVal firstNumber As Integer, ByVal secondNumber As Integer"	It declares two parameter variables firstNumber and secondNumber
"addNumbers = firstNumber + secondNumber"	It adds the firstNumber and secondNumber values and assigns the sum to addNumbers.

Step 3) Write Code that calls the function

Right click on btnAddNumbers_Click command button
Select View Code
Add the following code

Private Sub btnAddNumbersFunction_Click()
    MsgBox addNumbers(2, 3)
End Sub

HERE in the code,

Code	Action
"MsgBox addNumbers(2,3)"	It calls the function addNumbers and passes in 2 and 3 as the parameters. The function returns the sum of the two numbers five (5)

Step 4) Run the program, you will get the following results

Download Excel containing above code

Download the above Excel Code

Summary:

A function is a piece of code that performs a specific task. A function returns a value after execution.
Both subroutines and functions offer code reusability
Both subroutines and functions help break down large chunks of code into small manageable code.