Calling Excel array functions in VBA

J

JM

Is it possible to call an Excel array function in VBA?

For instance, in a worksheet, one can execute
{=SMALL(A1:10,{1,2,3})}

Can a similar call be made in a VBA module? If so, what
is the syntax and how is the result returned?
 
B

Bob Phillips

I thought this, but it just gives me an error 2015.

--

HTH

Bob Phillips
... looking out across Poole Harbour to the Purbecks
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)
 
H

Harlan Grove

I thought this, but it just gives me an error 2015. ...
Click to expand...
...

This doesn't seem to work in Excel 97 either. But the following does.

varr = Evaluate("INDEX(SMALL(A1:A10,{1,2,3}),0)")

Just another case of the wonders and mysteries of Excel's array semantics, which
Microsoft has never bothered to document in detail, perhaps because no one at
Microsoft knows what those semantics are either.

To be more precise, if I enter

=SMALL(A1:A10,{1,2,3})

as a nonarray formula in a cell, I get the same result as if I had entered the
array formula

=INDEX(SMALL(A1:A10),{1,2,3}),1)

in a cell. However, if I enter the nonarray formula

=IF(A1:A10>AVERAGE(A1:A10),A1:A10)

in any cell in B11:IV65536 (so implicit indexing doesn't kick in), this formula
returns #VALUE!. However, entering the same formula as an array formula in a
single cell gives the first entry from the array result.

Functions that invariably return #VALUE! when not entered as array formulas
return arrays when called from Evaluate. Functions that return nonerror values
when not entered as array formulas return only the first value when called from
Evaluate. AIN'T EXCEL SWELL?! Wanna make a bet blinking text makes it into Excel
as a cell format option before Microsoft adds any orthogonality to its array
semantics?
 
T

Tom Ogilvy

Ok, I guess it doesn't need to be treated as an array funtion: A1:A10 has
the integers 1 to 10.

varr = Application.Small(Range("A1:A10"),Array(1,2,3))
? varr(1)
1
? varr(2)
2
? varr(3)
3

To the OP, in General, to handle most array functions, you use evaluate
which is like a virtual cell on the activesheet.


Regards,
Tom Ogilvy
 
D

Dana DeLouis

Just a slightly different way from Tom's using Excel XP.

Dim v As Variant
v = [Transpose(Transpose(SMALL(A1:A10,{1,2,3})))]

HTH
 
H

Harlan Grove

Dana DeLouis said:
Just a slightly different way from Tom's using Excel XP.

Dim v As Variant
v = [Transpose(Transpose(SMALL(A1:A10,{1,2,3})))]
Click to expand...
....

And the advantage of two TRANSPOSE calls vs one INDEX call is?
 
D

Dana DeLouis

Hi. No advantage really. I like your "Index" version myself.
A one Transpose version could be something like this:

v = [Transpose(SMALL(A1:A10,ROW(1:3)))]

No advantage of course. :>) Just sharing an idea.

--
Dana DeLouis
Using Windows XP & Office XP
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =


Harlan Grove said:
Dana DeLouis said:
Just a slightly different way from Tom's using Excel XP.

Dim v As Variant
v = [Transpose(Transpose(SMALL(A1:A10,{1,2,3})))]
Click to expand...
...

And the advantage of two TRANSPOSE calls vs one INDEX call is?
Click to expand...
 
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