Updating a Web Query Based on a Schedule

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 28, 2025)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021

1

Robert has successfully made a data connection to a website through a web query. He has the web query update, automatically, every two minutes. However, the website to which he's connected is only "live" during certain hours. Robert wonders if there is a way to instruct the web query to update every two minutes, but only during a schedule that he establishes.

Not knowing the exact manner in which Robert is triggering his web query, only some general guidance can be given. The trick is going to be to figure a way to turn on the web query and a separate way to turn it off. The easiest way to handle this is to write two routines, which I'll call TurnQueryOn and TurnQueryOff. You could then use the OnTime method to specify when you want the query turned on. Here's an example that runs the proper routine at 6:00 am:

Application.OnTime TimeValue("06:00:00"), "TurnQueryOn"

You could, right after scheduling when to turn the query on, schedule when to turn it off:

Application.OnTime TimeValue("15:00:00"), "TurnQueryOff"

This code runs the TurnQueryOff routine at 3:00 pm. In these code lines, of course, the trick will be to develop the TurnQueryOn and TurnQueryOff macros and make sure they actually do what they are supposed to do.

Note:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the ExcelTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (13890) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Putting Tables within Margins

When you first insert a table in your document, it extends from margin to margin. Later, after a bunch of editing and ...

Discover More

Changing WordArt Text

WordArt can be used with just about any text you want. Here's how to change the text.

Discover More

Inserting the User's Name in a Cell

Need to understand who is using a particular workbook? There are a number of ways you can find out, as discussed in this tip.

Discover More

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 2019 For Dummies today!

More ExcelTips (ribbon)

Using Named Ranges in a Macro

Named ranges are a great capability provided by Excel. You can define all sorts of named ranges in a workbook, but how do ...

Discover More

Saving Changes when Closing

If your macro closes workbooks, you'll want to make sure that it will save any changes you made to the workbook. Here's ...

Discover More

Easily Changing the Default Drive and Directory

Need a quick way to change the default drive and directory in a macro you are writing? Here's the commands to do it and a ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven more than 1?

2021-07-31 14:36:37

Philip

I’d be interested in more details about how to set umpteen web query, and what the (table / formatting) requirements on the web side of the connections would be …

This Site

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.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.