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: Using InputBox to Get Data.
If you are developing a simple custom application in Excel, you may want to use the InputBox function to retrieve information from the user, and then place that information in a particular place in a worksheet. This can be easily done in the following manner:
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: 
UserValue = InputBox("Value to use?")
Cells(1, 1).Value = UserValue
These two lines, when inserted into a macro, prompt the user for input. This input is assigned to the UserValue variable by the InputBox function. The contents of this variable are then deposited in cell A1 of the current worksheet using the Cells method. If you prefer, you could also use the Range object to specify a location for the value, as shown here:
UserValue = InputBox("Value to use?")
Range("B3").Value = UserValue
This example deposits the value of UserValue into cell B3.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (12496) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Using InputBox to Get Data.
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2016-08-24 10:22:39
Gary Lundblad
Thanks Tom! I can kind of see what you mean, and I'm intrigued by the idea. I'll try to work on this angle.
Thank you again!
Gary
2016-08-23 21:14:18
Tom
Gary
You may not need to use VBA at all.
You may be able to do everything using data validation and some clever formulas.
Search the web for using named ranges and the INDIRECT function in data validation. You can design the possible range of answers for each question.
When as user responds, the next question can then be chosen based on their response.
If you hide the supporting sheets, lock all cells except the input ones, and protect the sheet and the workbook, it can be made almost idiot and tamper proof.
2016-08-23 20:09:52
Gary Lundblad
Thank you Dave- I'll check that out!
Gary
2016-08-23 18:02:28
Dave Unger
Gary, probably what you'd want to do is build a "wizard", using a MultiPage UserForm. John Walkenbach has examples of how to go about it in his books, and there are quite a few links available on the Internet - Google "vba multipage wizard"
2016-08-23 10:36:25
Gary Lundblad
I would like a macro to step someone through a series of questions, where their answers dictate the next questions asked. The answers will all be true or false, and will ultimately describe a scenario that will provide direction and then ask for appropriate information, i.e. names, amounts, address, date, etc.. As a result of the answers, only 5 at the most, and the subsequent information provided, forms would be filled out properly. Is this type of thing difficult to do in Excel using a macro. I basically want to idiot-proof the process and ensure that all pertinent information is completed, and the appropriate scenario is described. I have the series of questions and subsequent answers, but am wondering how difficult it would be to write the VBA to automate it.
Thank you!
Gary
2015-03-11 23:23:52
D P Jindal
I want to get input and want to use it in a report: where field value is the input so that the report display for a particular row(record)
2013-04-29 08:33:32
Bryan
Could be important to note here that if the ONLY thing you are using the input box for is to add a value to a cell then you don't need to bother with the intermediary variable:
Cells(1,1).Value = InputBox("Value to use?")
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