Speeding Up Slow Excel VBA Code

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Speed up code and stop screen flickering:

Sub NoScreenRePainting()
	Application.ScreenUpdating=False
	'Your code here.
	Application.ScreenUpdating=True
End Sub

Preventing calculation while executing code:

Sub NoCalculations()
	Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual
	'Your code here.
	Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic
End Sub

Speeding up code if you have Worksheet or Workbook Events. Also stops endless loops in Events

Sub StopAllEvents()
	Application.EnableEvents = False
	'Your code here.
	Application.EnableEvents = True
End Sub

Use the With Statement when working with Objects.

Sub WithARange()
	With Range("A1")
		.Value = 100
		.Font.Bold = True
		.Interior.ColorIndex = 6
		.Copy Destination:=Range("B1")
	End With

End Sub

Use VbNullString instead of = "" When needing to default a String variable back to it's default of "" use:

Sub EmptyText()
	Dim strWords As String

	strWords = "Cats"
	MsgBox strWords

	strWords = vbNullString
	MsgBox strWords
End Sub

Inserting a Relative formula into a range of cells: Faster than AutoFill or Copy.

Sub NoAutoFillOrCopy()
	Range("A1:A200").FormulaR1C1 = "=SUM(RC[1]:RC[5])"
End Sub

Tip:To get a formula, type it in any cell then select the cell, go Tools>Macro>Record new macro and record a macro pushing F2 then Enter.

Avoid the use of Copy and Paste whenever Possible:

Sub NoCopyAndPaste()
	'Instead of:
	Sheet1.Range("A1:A200").Copy
	Sheet2.Range("B1").pasteSpecial
	Application.CutCopyMode=False'Clear Clipboard
	'Use:
	'By-passes the Clipboard
	Sheet1.Range("A1:A200").Copy Destination:=Sheet2.Range("B1")
	'Or, if only values are needed:
	Sheet2.Range("B1:B200").Value= Sheet1.Range("A1:A200").Value
	'Or, if only formulae are needed:
	Sheet2.Range("B1:B200").Formula = Sheet1.Range("A1:A200").Formula
	'See also FormulaArray and FormulaR1C1 etc
	'Instead of:
	Sheet1.Range("A1:A200").Copy
	Sheet1.Range("A1:A200").PasteSpecial xlPasteValues
	Application.CutCopyMode=False'Clear Clipboard
	'Use:
	Sheet1.Range("A1:A200") = Sheet1.Range("A1:A200").Value
End Sub

Always declare your variables correctly!

To quickly view a variables definition:
Select the variable that you want the definition for.
Go to View>Definition (Shift+F2)

To return to your previous position:
Go to View>Last Postition (Ctrl+Shift+F2).

Release memory from Object variables:

Sub ReleaseObjectMemory()
	'Could be any variable of the Object type
	Dim wSheet as Worksheet

	'Set Object variable
	Set wSheet = Sheet1
	'Your code here.

	'Release memory
	Set wSheet = Nothing
End Sub

Don't get caught in the Loop.
Follow this link to see why Loops should (and usually can) be avoided.

Avoid If, Else whenever possible
More often than not people would use an If, Else Statement to test whether a condition is TRUE or FALSE. There is however a slightly faster (and less typing) method. The first example shows the common method, while the second shows a faster method. Of course in such a small example the difference is not noticeable.

Sub TrueOrFalseSlower()
	Dim bYesNo As Boolean
	Dim i As Integer

	If i = 5 Then
		bYesNo = True
	Else
		bYesNo = False
	End If

MsgBox bYesNo
End Sub

Here's a better way!

Sub TrueOrFalseFaster()
	Dim bYesNo As Boolean
	Dim i As Integer

	bYesNo = (i = 5)
	MsgBox bYesNo

End Sub

Another common need is to toggle a variable between True and False depending on a condition. For example:

Sub ToggleTrueOrFalseSlower()
	Dim bYesNo As Boolean

	If bYesNo = False Then
		bYesNo = True
	Else
		bYesNo = False
	End If

	MsgBox bYesNo
End Sub

Here's a much better way

Sub ToggleTrueOrFalseFaster()
	Dim bYesNo As Boolean

	bYesNo = Not bYesNo
	MsgBox bYesNo
End Sub

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