Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 1, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
John needs to ensure that certain actions have taken place (information added, etc.) before a user leaves a worksheet. He wonders if there is some sort of macro event such as WorksheetBeforeDeactivate.
There are actually two events you could use for this purpose. You can use the SheetDeactivate event in the ThisWorkbook module to trigger actions whenever a user leaves any worksheet in the workbook:
Private Sub Workbook_SheetDeactivate(ByVal Sh As Object) MsgBox Prompt:="You just left sheet:" & Sh.Name End Sub
If you want to trigger actions only when they leave a particular worksheet, then you can use the Deactivate event in the WorkSheet object:
Private Sub Worksheet_Deactivate() ' sheet specific code goes here End Sub
You should know, however, that in either case the worksheet to which the user is choosing to go will be the active worksheet after the event is completed. If you want to force the user to stay on the worksheet, you need to specifically put them back on the worksheet, in this manner:
Private Sub Worksheet_Deactivate() ' sheet specific code goes here Sheets("Sheet1").Select End Sub
This assumes, of course, that the name of the worksheet you want the user to remain on is Sheet1.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (7730) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Triggering an Event when a Worksheet is Deactivated.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!
When you record a macro, make sure that you know how Excel is recording your cell movements. This tip explains the ...
Discover MoreYou can create macros that are automatically executed whenever certain events occur within a worksheet. This tip details ...
Discover MoreWhen you need to get rid of characters in the middle of a cell value, the best way to do it is through the use of macros. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2024-06-03 12:48:49
J. Woolley
To simply re-activate a worksheet, the Worksheet.Activate method is preferred:
Private Sub Worksheet_Deactivate()
' sheet specific code goes here
If MsgBox("Re-activate " & Me.Name & "?", vbYesNo) = vbYes Then
Me.Activate
End If
End Sub
The Worksheet.Select method is normally used to group/ungroup multiple sheets.
2024-06-01 08:16:54
Alex Blakenburg
Rather than hard code the Sheet name you could use
Me.Select
Not a great idea though since it will make it impossible to go to a different sheet.
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments