update multiple worksheets from a module with an absolute cell reference? - excel

Question

I'm in a module function, and I have a value that needs to get updated across multiple worksheets. I would like to take a data driven approach to this, since it may change a bit in the future.
In essence, I want to create an array of strings, each entry is an absolute reference to a cell, something like so:
Array("'Sheet1'!$A$1","'Sheet2'!$C$5")
I'd like to be able to do something like so
for each item in arr
Range(item).value = some_value
next item
The issue is that I'm in a module, The Range property is only available on a worksheet, and if I try to reference worksheet B from worksheet A via the Range property, it gives me an error.
How would you go about doing this?

Answer 1

Create an array of range objects like so:
arr = Array(WorkSheets("Sheet1").Range("A1"), WorkSheets("Sheet2").Range("C5"))
Dim rng as Range
For i = LBound(arr) To UBound(arr)
arr(i).Value = some_value
Next i
You could also use the Collection class
Dim coll As New Collection
Dim rng As Range
coll.Add WorkSheets("Sheet1").Range("A1")
coll.Add WorkSheets("Sheet2").Range("C5")
For Each rng In coll
rng.Value = some_value
Next rng

Answer 2

Given an array of string addresses, you can process it like
Sub Demo()
Dim arr As Variant
Dim sh As String, addr As String
Dim item As Variant
arr = Array("'Sheet 1'!$A$1", "'Sheet2'!$C$5")
For Each item In arr
sh = Replace(Left(item, InStr(item, "!") - 1), "'", "")
addr = Mid(item, InStr(item, "!") + 1)
Worksheets(sh).Range(addr) = some_value
Next
End Sub
If you can switch to an array (or collection) of Range then justnS' answer is better. But if you need to stick with an array of strings, this will do it.

Answer 3

You ask about multiple worksheets but say your program may be extended later. If it possible that you will need to update multiple workbooks, the following may be helpful.
I have set the array elements to workbook name, worksheet name, cell address and value. I have assumed the destination workbooks are open although it would not be difficult for the macro to open them if necessary. I test the workbook and worksheet names but not the cell address.
Sub Test1()
'
Dim Dest() As Variant
Dim DestPart() As String
Dim Found As Boolean
Dim InxBook As Integer
Dim InxDest As Integer
Dim InxSheet As Integer
Dest = Array("Test1.xls|Sheet3|B1|abc", "Test2.xls|Sheet2|F5|def", _
"Test3.xls|Sheet1|D3|ghi")
' Each element of Dest contains: workbook name, sheet name, cell address,
' and value separated by pipes.
' This code assumes the destination workbooks are already open.
For InxDest = LBound(Dest) To UBound(Dest)
DestPart = Split(Dest(InxDest), "|")
Found = False
For InxBook = 1 To Workbooks.Count
If DestPart(0) = Workbooks(InxBook).Name Then
Found = True
Exit For
End If
Next
If Found Then
With Workbooks(InxBook)
Found = False
For InxSheet = 1 To .Sheets.Count
If DestPart(1) = .Sheets(InxSheet).Name Then
Found = True
Exit For
End If
Next
If Found Then
.Sheets(InxSheet).Range(DestPart(2)).Value = DestPart(3)
End If
End With
End If
Next
End Sub