Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Progression Indicator in a Macro.
Macros are often created to process data, and processing data can often take a long time. Because of this, some users may think that their computer has stopped responding, even though the macro is busy chunking away at its appointed task.
The solution for most macro developers is to somehow alert users as to the progress of the macro. There are two ways that you can do this in Excel. The simplest and most common approach is to use the status bar to indicate what the macro is doing. All you need to do is put together a string that contains the status message, and then assign that string to the StatusBar property of the Application object, as shown here:
sStatus = "Processing Input File - Please Be Patient" Application.StatusBar = sStatus
The message stays on the status bar until you overwrite it with some other message. You could also indicate progress in a loop by giving the percentage complete:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
For x = 1 to y
Application.StatusBar = Format(x/y,"0.0%") & " Complete"
' Other coding here
Next
When your routine finishes, return the status bar back to normal with the following statement:
Application.StatusBar = False
If you prefer to develop an actual progress indicator for the macro, you can do so by creating a UserForm and then updating the form to display a "percentage bar" or some other visual indicator. Most people who desire this type of progress indicator rely on a variation of John Walkenbach's solution, found at this address:
http://spreadsheetpage.com/index.php/tip/displaying_a_progress_indicator/
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8969) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Progression Indicator in a Macro.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
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2015-03-09 18:57:07
Rob
Another indicator is to change the cursor at the start and end of the macro:
Application.Cursor = xlWait ' changes cursor to the waiting hourglass (or whatever is set in your control panel) at the start of your macro.
Application.Cursor = xlDefault ' changes cursor back to the default, if there is an error routine for the macro also include this in the error routine.
2015-03-09 03:56:06
Dave
Vesa,
I had exactly the same problem. Insert the line:
DoEvents
after your status bar update and it should cure the problem.
See also the following page (on this site) for more information about this:
excelribbon.tips.net/T013341_Macro_while_Running_Stops_Excel_from_Responding.html
2015-03-07 05:48:18
Vesa Nuutinen
Works fine until windows say "excel not responding". After that there will ne no progress update. Is there Anu help to prevent this"
Br,
-Vesa
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