Locate a shape in a workbook
This article demonstrates how to locate a shape in Excel programmatically based on the value stored in the shape. The image above shows a worksheet that allows you to specify a value in cell B1 and a button that runs a macro.
What's on this page
The macro iterates through all worksheets in the workbook and then iterates through all shapes in each worksheet to find a shape with the given text value.
The macro then activates the worksheet containing that particular shape, selects the shape, and moves to the location of that shape.
A website visitor asks:
I need an Excel macro where I can enter a number (value) into cell B1, press with left mouse button on the button below, and the page will automatically go to the corresponding shape, with that same number.
How to use the workbook
- Enter the number you want to look for in cell B1.
- Press with left mouse button on "Find shape" button shown in the image above.
- The macro finds the shape and goes to that worksheet and location.
VBA Code
'Name macro Sub FindShape() 'Dimension variables and declare data types Dim sht As Worksheet Dim shp As Shape 'Iterate through worksheets in active workbook For Each sht In ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets 'Iterate through shapes in each worksheet For Each shp In sht.Shapes 'Check if shape text meets condition in cell B1 If shp.TextFrame.Characters.Text = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("B1").Value Then 'Activate worksheet sht.Activate 'Select shape shp.Select 'Scroll to row containing shape ActiveWindow.ScrollRow = shp.TopLeftCell.Row 'Scroll to column containing shape ActiveWindow.ScrollColumn = shp.TopLeftCell.Column 'Exit macro Exit Sub End If Next shp Next sht End Sub
Where to put the code?
If you want to use the macro in your workbook you need to follow these steps.
- Copy above VBA code.
- Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
- Double press with left mouse button on your workbook name (Locate a shape.xlsm) in the Project Explorer.
- Press with left mouse button on "Insert" on the menu.
- Press with left mouse button on "Module" to create a module in your workbook.
- Paste VBA code to code window, see above image.
Locate an Excel Table or a named range
To find a specific Excel Table in a Workbook is easy as long as you know the name of it. Type the name in the name box at top left corner of your Excel window, see image above.
This will take you instantly to the Excel Table even if it is located in another worksheet. If you don't know the name of the Excel Table I recommend you use the "Name Manager" to find the Excel Table you are looking for.
- Go to tab "Formulas" on the ribbon.
- Press with mouse on "Name Manager" button.
- The "Name Manager" shows the names of all Excel Tables and named ranges in your workbook along with the worksheet and cell references.
The VBA code below demonstrates how to locate an Excel Table or a named range programmatically.
'Name macro Sub Macro1() 'Go to named range named "BBC", this will also work with cell references and Excel Tables Application.Goto Reference:="BBC" End Sub
Locate a shape/chart by name
The following macro iterates through all shapes and charts in your workbook looking for the name "Chart 1". When found it goes to that particular worksheet and to the exact location of the shape or chart.
'Name macro Sub FindChart() 'Dimension variables and data types Dim sht As Worksheet Dim shp As Shape 'Iterate through all worksheets in active workbook For Each sht In ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets 'Iterate through all shapes in worksheet For Each shp In sht.Shapes 'Check if name is "Chart 1" If shp.Name = "Chart 1" Then 'Activate worksheet sht.Activate 'Select chart shp.Select 'Go to row that matches the chart location ActiveWindow.ScrollRow = shp.TopLeftCell.Row 'Go to column that matches the chart location ActiveWindow.ScrollColumn = shp.TopLeftCell.Column 'End macro Exit Sub End If 'Continue with next shape Next shp 'Continue with next worksheet Next sht End Sub
List all names of shapes and charts in a workbook
This macro creates a list in worksheet "List" of all shape and chart names in your workbook. It also lists their corresponding cell address and what worksheet they are on.
The list is created in column A and B in worksheet "List", you can change this location, if you prefer, in the macro below.
'Name macro Sub ListShapes() 'Dimesnion variables and declare data types Dim sht As Worksheet Dim shp As Shape, r As Integer 'Save 0 (zero) to variable r r = 0 'Iterate through each worksheet in the active workbook For Each sht In ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets 'Iterate through each shape For Each shp In sht.Shapes 'Save shape name to column A based on variable r Worksheets("List").Range("A1").Offset(r, 0) = shp.Name 'Save shape name to column B based on variable r Worksheets("List").Range("B1").Offset(r, 0) = sht.Name & "!" & shp.TopLeftCell.Address 'Add 1 to the number saved in variable r r = r + 1 'Continue with next shape Next shp Next sht End Sub
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This code was exactly what I needed, however my sheet has more than just textboxes on it (i.e. straight connectors) and I get a runtime error 438 when I step through the code and it comes to this type of shape. How would the code need to be written to avoid the straight connector shapes?
Thanks,
Chaney (VBA newbie)