Microsoft Access 2021 Advanced: Writing Custom Functions

Name: Microsoft Access 2021 Advanced: Writing Custom Functions
Author: John Varan

Learn how to write custom functions and debug VBA code

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Course: On-Demand

Hello, my name is John Varon, and in these lessons, you will learn about writing custom functions. In this lesson, I will show you what a custom function is. Custom functions are like Microsoft Access's built -in functions, except you write them yourself. Custom functions are written in VBA and usually fall into two categories. One way to use them is to create completely new blocks of code, or functionality, which would be a custom function that does something that simply couldn't be done using built -in functions. The other way is to combine multiple built -in functions into a single custom function. In this scenario, the custom function is technically not necessary as the goal could be achieved using built -in functions, but combining them into a single custom function can still be beneficial. It can combine complicated formulas into a single easy -to -use function and lower the risk of errors. It can also save time by not having to duplicate long or complex formulas over and over again. Custom functions can be used anywhere that built -in functions can be used. Custom functions used in validation rules can allow you to create very specific validation rules custom -tailored to your requirements. This in turn can make it easier and more efficient to implement validation rules to help your end users. Used in calculated values, custom functions can reduce long or complicated calculations to a single function call. This can make it much easier to reuse the same type of calculation over and over again, which will reduce both redundancy and errors. Custom functions can also be beneficial for conditional formatting rules. Complicated formulas for conditional formatting can be difficult to write and debug in the regular Conditional Formatting Editor, but it becomes a much simpler task if the function can be written and debugged in the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Editor, and then just a simple, single function can be placed in the Conditional Formatting Editor. Finally, don't forget that custom functions themselves can use built -in functions. When writing a custom function, you can call Microsoft Access's built -in functions, and you should, whenever it's appropriate. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Take advantage of the built -in functions, which have been thoroughly tested and debugged, whenever you can instead of attempting to do it yourself. Thanks for watching. Stay tuned for the next lesson, where I will show you about the user interface for writing custom functions.

Advanced Provider : John Varan 3 Lessons · 14m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

The lessons in this course expand upon and add to your knowledge of using the Visual Basic for Applications editor by explaining debugging, which is a critical skill for anyone writing code, as it is how you troubleshoot, identify, test, and correct errors in your code. There are many common methods for debugging code, such as setting and using breakpoints or stepping through your code line by line, that can help you ensure your code is as error-free as possible. By knowing how to use custom functions and understanding the pros and cons of writing your own functions for use in queries, validation rules, calculated values, and conditional formatting rules, you will be able to create more intuitive database applications.

In this course, you will learn how to debug VBA code using the Visual Basic for Applications editor. We will also discuss how to write your own custom function which can be used in queries, validation rules, calculated values, and conditional formatting rules. By the end of this course, you will be able to integrate custom functions into a Microsoft Access database application by integrating it with an existing query or report.

What You'll Learn

Debug VBA code using the Visual Basic for Applications editor
Apply best practices for debugging, including setting breakpoints and stepping through code line by line
Write custom functions for use in queries, validation rules, calculated values, and conditional formatting rules
Evaluate the pros and cons of writing your own custom functions
Integrate custom functions into a Microsoft Access database application using an existing query or report

Key Takeaways

Debugging is a critical skill for writing code, used to troubleshoot, identify, test, and correct errors.
Common debugging methods include setting and using breakpoints or stepping through code line by line to keep it as error-free as possible.
Custom functions can be used in queries, validation rules, calculated values, and conditional formatting rules to create more intuitive database applications.
Understanding the pros and cons of writing your own functions helps you decide when custom code is appropriate.
By the end of the course you can integrate a custom function into an existing query or report in a Microsoft Access database application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It covers debugging VBA code in the Visual Basic for Applications editor and writing your own custom functions for use in queries, validation rules, calculated values, and conditional formatting rules, then integrating those custom functions into a Microsoft Access database application.

What will I be able to do by the end of the course?

You will be able to debug VBA code, write custom functions, and integrate a custom function into an existing query or report within a Microsoft Access database application.

What topics are taught in the lessons?

The lessons cover what a custom function is, the user interface for writing a custom function, and creating a custom function.

What skills does this course build?

It builds skills in Microsoft Access, Access query languages, custom functions, and Visual Basic / Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

Is this an advanced-level course?

Yes. It is a Microsoft Access 2021 Advanced course that expands upon and adds to existing knowledge of using the Visual Basic for Applications editor.