How to Fix ‘Method or Data Not Found’ VBA Error (Excel)

Written by Kasper Langmann

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is a programming language developed by Microsoft that is primarily used for automating tasks in Microsoft Office applications. One common issue that users encounter when working with VBA in Excel is the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error. This error typically occurs when a method or data member that the code is trying to access is not available. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as incorrect syntax, missing libraries, or issues with the object model. In this guide, we will explore how to diagnose and fix this common VBA error.

Understanding the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ Error

The ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error is a runtime error, meaning it occurs when your VBA code is running. It is often accompanied by the error number 438. This error is triggered when your code attempts to use a method or property that does not exist for the object you are referencing.

For instance, if you are trying to use the ‘Find’ method on a range object but mistakenly type ‘Fnd’, VBA will not be able to locate the ‘Fnd’ method and will throw the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error. Understanding the cause of this error is the first step towards resolving it.

Common Causes of the Error

Typing Errors

One of the most common causes of the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error is a simple typing error. VBA is case sensitive, which means that ‘find’ and ‘Find’ are considered different methods. If you accidentally type the method or property name incorrectly, VBA will not be able to locate it and will throw an error.

Similarly, if you misspell the name of the method or property, VBA will not be able to find it. For example, if you type ‘Fnd’ instead of ‘Find’, VBA will throw the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error.

Missing Libraries

Another common cause of the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error is missing libraries. Libraries are collections of methods and properties that VBA uses to perform tasks. If a library that your code needs to run is not loaded, VBA will not be able to find the methods or properties that are defined in that library, resulting in an error.

To check if a library is loaded, you can go to the ‘References’ dialog box in the VBA editor. If the library is not checked, you will need to check it to load it.

Issues with the Object Model

The ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error can also be caused by issues with the object model. The object model is the structure that defines how objects, methods, and properties are related in VBA. If you try to use a method or property that does not exist for the object you are referencing, VBA will throw an error.

For example, if you try to use the ‘Cells’ property on a workbook object, VBA will throw the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error because the ‘Cells’ property is not a member of the workbook object.

How to Fix the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ Error

Correcting Typing Errors

The first step in fixing the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error is to check your code for typing errors. Make sure that you have spelled the method or property name correctly and that you are using the correct case. If you find any errors, correct them and try running your code again.

If you are unsure about the spelling or case of a method or property, you can check the VBA documentation. The documentation will provide you with the correct spelling and case for all methods and properties.

Loading Missing Libraries

If your code is free of typing errors but you are still encountering the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error, the next step is to check if any libraries are missing. To do this, go to the ‘References’ dialog box in the VBA editor and check if all the libraries that your code needs are loaded.

If a library is not loaded, check it to load it. If you are unsure about which libraries your code needs, you can check the VBA documentation. The documentation will provide you with information about which libraries are needed for different tasks.

Correcting Issues with the Object Model

If your code is free of typing errors and all necessary libraries are loaded but you are still encountering the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error, the issue may be with the object model. To fix this, you will need to understand the object model and how objects, methods, and properties are related.

If you are trying to use a method or property that does not exist for the object you are referencing, you will need to correct your code. For example, if you are trying to use the ‘Cells’ property on a workbook object, you will need to change your code to use the ‘Cells’ property on a worksheet object instead.

Conclusion

The ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error is a common issue that users encounter when working with VBA in Excel. However, with a good understanding of the causes of this error and the steps to fix it, you can quickly resolve this issue and get back to automating tasks in Excel.

Remember, the key to avoiding this error is to always double-check your code for typing errors, ensure all necessary libraries are loaded, and understand the object model. With these best practices, you can minimize the occurrence of the ‘Method or Data Not Found’ error in your VBA projects.