XL2000: Visual Basic Macro to Change Between Relative and Absolute References

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This article was previously published under Q213465

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, you can use the ConvertFormula method in a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications procedure to convert cell references from A1 reference style to R1C1 reference style. This method also allows you to change from an absolute to a relative reference and vice versa.

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MORE INFORMATION

The following sample Visual Basic procedure uses the ConvertFormula method to convert A1 relative references to R1C1 absolute references, or A1 absolute references to R1C1 relative references for a selected range.

You can also use this procedure to convert cell references between A1 and R1C1 reference style by changing the appropriate constants for fromReferenceStyle and toReferenceStyle for the ConvertFormula method.

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Sample Macro

Before running the macro, select one or more cells containing formulas to convert.

'Convert_Reference Type Macro
'A Visual Basic module to convert absolute references to relative
'references or relative references to absolute references.
Sub Conv_RefType()
    Dim Conv As String
    'Prompt user to change to relative or absolute references
    Conv = Application.InputBox _
        ("Type A to convert to Absolute, R to Relative Reference(s)", _
        "Change Cell Reference Type")
      'If changing relative to absolute references
      If UCase(Conv) = "A" Then
          'Loop through each cell selected
          For Each Mycell In Selection
          If Len(Mycell.Formula) > 0 Then
                'Stores cell's formula as variable
                MyFormula = Mycell.Formula
                'Converts formula to absolute reference style
                NewFormula = Application.ConvertFormula _
                    (Formula:=MyFormula, _
                    fromReferenceStyle:=xlA1, _
                    toReferenceStyle:=xlA1, _
                    toAbsolute:=xlAbsolute)
                'Replaces old formula with new absolute formula
                Mycell.Formula = NewFormula
            End If
        Next
    'If changing absolute to relative references
    ElseIf UCase(Conv) = "R" Then
           'Loop through each cell selected
           For Each Mycell In Selection
               If Len(Mycell.Formula) > 0 Then
                   'Stores cell's formula as variable
                   MyFormula = Mycell.Formula
                   'Converts formula to relative reference style
                   NewFormula = Application.ConvertFormula _
                    (Formula:=MyFormula, _
                    fromReferenceStyle:=xlA1, _
                    toReferenceStyle:=xlA1, _
                    toAbsolute:=xlRelative)
                'Replaces old formula with new relative formula
                Mycell.Formula = NewFormula
            End If
        Next
    'Display Error message if choice entered is invalid
    ElseIf UCase(Conv) <> "FALSE" Then
        MyMsg = "Enter A for Absolute, R for Relative Reference(s)"
        MyTitle = "Option Not Valid"
        MyBox = MsgBox(MyMsg, 0, MyTitle)
    End If
End Sub

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REFERENCES

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

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