How can I spread a sub to a multiple range of cells? - excel

Question

The purpose of this code is to update the date in a cell as a certain cell's contents are changed.
Since this was originally coded inside a sub, I now need to expand this code to a range of multiple cells. Ie. At this moment, the code only takes cell D4 and updates cell L4, I want to be able to drag this function down so it can reach a multiple range of cells; take D5 and update L5 etc.
Here's my code as the sub:
Dim oldValue
Public Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
oldValue = Target.Worksheet.Range("D4").Value
End Sub
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
If Not Intersect(Target, Target.Worksheet.Range("D4")) Is Nothing Then
If oldValue <> Target.Worksheet.Range("D4").Value Then
Target.Worksheet.Range("L4").Value = Date
End If
End If
End Sub
The problem here, is that I don't know how to properly expand my code to match a further selection of cells. Here's my attempt:
Dim oldValue
Public Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
oldValue = Target.Worksheet.Range("D4", "D21").Value
End Sub
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
If Not Intersect(Target, Target.Worksheet.Range("D4", "D21")) Is Nothing Then
If oldValue <> Target.Worksheet.Range("D4", "D21").Value Then
Target.Worksheet.Range("L4", "L21").Value = Date
End If
End If
End Sub
EDIT: The sub I have written only applies to one cell, I am trying to work out a way to have it spread out to a certain selection of cells. Ie. D4:D12 which updates the date in L4:L12 accordingly.
If anyone could help me, that would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Try the following code:
Dim oldValue()
Public Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
oldValue = Me.Range("D4:D12").Value
End Sub
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
If Not Intersect(Target, Me.Range("D4:D12")) Is Nothing Then
Application.EnableEvents = False
Dim c As Range
For Each c In Intersect(Target, Me.Range("D4:D12"))
'Check value against what is stored in "oldValue" (row 4 is in position 1, row 5 in position 2, etc)
If oldValue(c.Row - 3, 1) <> c.Value Then
'Update value in column L (8 columns to the right of column D)
c.Offset(0, 8).Value = Date 'or possibly "= Now()" if you need the time of day that the cell was updated
End If
Next
Application.EnableEvents = True
End If
End Sub

Answer 2

Set up a hidden sheet to hold the old values.
Sub SetupMirrorValues()
With Worksheets.Add
.Name = "MirrorValues"
.visibilty = xlSheetVeryHidden
.Range("D4:D10,D12,D14:D20") = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("D4:D10,D12,D14:D20")
End With
End Sub
In the Worksheet_Change event handler, you would check the Target cells that intersect with the range you want to monitor. If there are differences then you update the timestamp and the cell on the hidden sheet that corresponds to the changed cell.
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
Application.EnableEvents = False
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Dim cell As Range, DRange As Range
Set DRange = Range("D4:D10,D12,D14:D20")
If Not Intersect(DRange, Target) Is Nothing Then
For Each cell In Intersect(DRange, Target)
If cell.Value <> Worksheets("MirrorValues").Range(cell.Address) Then
cell.EntireRow.Cells(1, "L").Value = Now
Worksheets("MirrorValues").Range(cell.Address) = cell.Value
End If
Next
End If
Application.EnableEvents = True
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
End Sub