Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated August 27, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016
Ravi has placed some VBA controls and code in a worksheet. When he shares the workbook with other users and they open it, the functions don't work and report an error "item not available in library." Ravi is wondering how he can get rid of this error.
The first thing to check is whether your macros are actually in the workbook you are sharing with others. Open it on your system, go to the Visual Basic Editor, and make sure that the macros are in the project associated with the workbook being shared. If not, you will want to move the macros to the workbook.
A more likely cause of this problem, however, is that your macros are referencing a function or feature that is in a module that you have access to but that the other people do not. An easy way to check this out is to go to their system (if possible) and open the workbook. Then go to the Visual Basic Editor and choose Tools | References. Go through the list of available modules and see if there are any that are prefaced with the word "missing." These are modules that are required for your macros, but are missing on the current system.
If you find missing modules, or perhaps modules that the user needs to reference in VBA in order to use your macros, then it might be best to rewrite your macros so that they don't use those modules. This may be easier said than done, but it may (again) be the easiest, cleanest way to let others use your macros.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (11806) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Item Not Available in Library.
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!
Your worksheets are very often made up of formulas and these formulas are made up of functions. If you ever want to ...
Discover MoreWhen you assign a macro to a shortcut key, you make it easy to run the macro without ever removing your hands from the ...
Discover MoreYou can easily add a button to your worksheet that will allow you to run various macros. This tip shows how easy it is.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2016-01-09 08:38:17
Petros
A similar error may happen if your early bound macros are referencing a library that is present in your PC, but it is not the version used by the original developer. You may also experience 'system' or 'automation' error messages.
A workaround is to clean VBA's internal cache. Read more:
http://www.spreadsheet1.com/vba-project-code-cleaner-for-access-excel-powerpoint-word.html
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 © 2023 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments