How to Quickly Master Array of Arrays VBA in 3 Minutes (Excel)

Written by Kasper Langmann

Mastering Array of Arrays in VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a critical skill for anyone looking to enhance their Excel capabilities. This powerful tool allows you to store and manipulate large amounts of data with ease. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of Array of Arrays in VBA, providing you with the knowledge to quickly master this tool.

Understanding Array of Arrays in VBA

Before we delve into the practical aspects of using Array of Arrays in VBA, it’s essential to understand what this tool is and why it’s so useful. An array is a data structure that can hold more than one value at a time. It is a collection of variables of the same type. When we talk about an Array of Arrays, we are referring to a multidimensional array. This is an array where each element is also an array.

Array of Arrays in VBA is particularly useful when dealing with large data sets. Instead of creating multiple variables to store individual data points, you can use an Array of Arrays to store all your data in a single structure. This not only makes your code cleaner and easier to read, but it also enhances the performance of your Excel applications.

Types of Arrays in VBA

There are two types of arrays in VBA: static and dynamic. A static array has a fixed size, which you must define when you declare the array. On the other hand, a dynamic array does not have a fixed size. You can change its size during runtime using the ReDim statement.

When working with Array of Arrays in VBA, you can use both static and dynamic arrays. The choice between the two depends on your specific needs. If you know the exact size of your data set, a static array would be the best choice. However, if the size of your data set can change, a dynamic array would be more suitable.

How to Create an Array of Arrays in VBA

Now that we have a solid understanding of what an Array of Arrays is and why it’s useful, let’s delve into the practical aspects of creating and using this tool in VBA.

The first step in creating an Array of Arrays in VBA is to declare your array. You can do this using the Dim statement. For example, if you want to create a two-dimensional array with 10 rows and 5 columns, you would use the following code:

Dim myArray(1 To 10, 1 To 5) As Variant

Once you’ve declared your array, you can then populate it with data. You can do this using a For loop. For example, the following code populates the array with the product of the row and column indices:


For i = 1 To 10
For j = 1 To 5
myArray(i, j) = i * j
Next j
Next i


Accessing Data in an Array of Arrays

Once you’ve populated your array with data, you can access this data using the array indices. For example, if you want to access the data in the third row and fourth column of the array, you would use the following code:

myData = myArray(3, 4)

This code assigns the value in the third row and fourth column of the array to the variable myData. You can then use this variable in your calculations or display it in your Excel worksheet.

Manipulating Data in an Array of Arrays

In addition to accessing data in an Array of Arrays, you can also manipulate this data. For example, you can change the value of a specific element in the array using the array indices. The following code changes the value in the third row and fourth column of the array to 100:

myArray(3, 4) = 100

You can also perform calculations on the data in the array. For example, you can calculate the sum of all the elements in the array using a For loop. The following code calculates the sum of all the elements in the array:


sum = 0
For i = 1 To 10
For j = 1 To 5
sum = sum + myArray(i, j)
Next j
Next i


Advanced Techniques for Array of Arrays in VBA

Once you’ve mastered the basics of Array of Arrays in VBA, you can start exploring some advanced techniques. These techniques can help you further enhance the performance of your Excel applications and make your code even more efficient.

Using Dynamic Arrays

As mentioned earlier, dynamic arrays are arrays whose size can change during runtime. This makes them incredibly flexible and useful when dealing with data sets whose size can change. To declare a dynamic array, you use the Dim statement without specifying the size of the array. You can then use the ReDim statement to change the size of the array as needed.

Using Array Functions

VBA provides a number of functions that you can use to manipulate arrays. These functions include Split, Join, Filter, and UBound. The Split function allows you to split a string into an array based on a delimiter. The Join function allows you to join the elements of an array into a single string. The Filter function allows you to create a new array that includes only the elements of an existing array that meet a certain condition. The UBound function allows you to get the upper bound of an array.

Using Array of Arrays with Other VBA Features

Array of Arrays in VBA can be used in conjunction with other VBA features to create powerful Excel applications. For example, you can use Array of Arrays with VBA’s file handling features to read and write data to and from files. You can also use Array of Arrays with VBA’s error handling features to create robust applications that can handle errors gracefully.

Mastering Array of Arrays in VBA is a journey, but with practice and persistence, you can quickly become proficient in this powerful tool. By understanding the basics and exploring advanced techniques, you can enhance your Excel capabilities and create efficient, powerful applications.