Excel VBA Comment Block (4 Easy Methods)

Comments are vital components of a code as they guide the readers to understand the context, functionality, and purpose of the written code. In this article, we will learn all the possible ways to convert a block of code into a comment in the Excel VBA Editor. So, let’s begin our journey.

Why Use Comments in a Code?

• Comments are used in code to explain or provide insight to the reader about what the code is doing, why it is doing it, or to provide context.
• Comments assist other programmers, as well as your future self, in understanding the code’s purpose and functionality.
• They can also aid in making the code easier to read and maintain by breaking down complex or lengthy sections of code into smaller, more understandable chunks.
• Additionally, comments might help to determine the location or origin of an issue while troubleshooting code errors.

Excel VBA to Comment a Block of Code: 4 Easy Ways

In this section, we will show 4 simple and quick methods to convert a block of code into a comment in Excel VBA Editor. Let’s explore those steps one by one.

1. Use of Apostrophe to Comment a Block

The easiest way to comment in VBA Editor is to add an Apostrophe (‘) in front of the text where you want to make a comment. When you leave an Apostrophe (‘) at the beginning of a command line, the Editor ignores the line and does not execute while compiling. Those lines are also colored Green which indicates that the Editor successfully identified them as comments.

2. Use of Rem Keyword to Comment a Block

You can also use the keyword Rem to write comments. It stands for “remarks”. This works the same as the apostrophe but provides more clarity and readability. Because the apostrophe can be interpreted as a part of the code sometimes, such as a literal apostrophe in a string. However, usage of them is the same, just replace the apostrophe with rem and it will work the same.

But this keyword can not be used in the middle of a line to convert the rest of the line as a comment.

3. Using Toolbar to Comment Block

If we want to convert existing lines of code into comments, writing apostrophes (“) on each line can be cumbersome. However, VBA Editor contains built-in Comment and Uncomment command buttons on the toolbar that allow you to comment/uncomment numerous lines at once.

But unfortunately, those two buttons are not readily available by default on the toolbox. If you don’t see those buttons, follow the steps below.

Steps:

• Go to View >> Toolbar. Now, check the Edit option.

• As a result, the Comment Block and Uncomment Block Buttons will appear on ToolBar.
• To comment a block of code, simply select them, then click on the Comment Block button.

• You can also uncomment them by selecting them and then clicking on Uncomment Block button.

Read More: Excel VBA to Comment Multiple Lines

4. Use of Shortcut Key to Comment and Uncomment a Block of Code

In this method, we will learn to set up shortcut keys for commenting and uncommenting blocks of code. Here, we will make Alt+C shortcut key for commenting and Alt+U for Uncommenting block of code. To set up, follow the steps below.

Steps:

• Go to View >> Toolbars >> Customize…

• Now, go to the Commands tab.
• From there, select the Edit category.
• In the Edit category, scroll through the options to find the Comment Block option.
• Now click on the Comment Block and drag it to the end on the Toolbar.

• Now, right-click on the Icon and rename it as “&Comment Block”. Also, check the Image & Text option so that we can distinguish it from the original Comment block option.

• Similarly, click on the UnComment Block and drag it to the end on the Toolbar. Then rename it as “&Uncomment Block” and check the Image & Text option.

All is done. Now, you can use Alt+C to comment on any block of code.

You can also use Alt+U to uncomment

How to Uncomment a Block of Code in Excel VBA Editor

In order to remove comments where apostrophes are used, you can

• Remove the existing apostrophes from each line manually.
• Use the Uncomment Block command from the Toolbar.
• Use the Alt+U shortcut key.

On the other hand, where Rem is used, remove them manually to uncomment.

Things to Remember

• Using apostrophes is the quickest option for making a new single-line comment.
• To quickly convert multiple existing blocks of code into comments, you can use the ToolBox or Shortcut key.
• Rem keyword only works at the beginning of a line. Inserting in the middle of a line will yield an error.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are comments used for in VBA?

We use comments in code to add descriptive text to explain what the code does, how it works, or why we are making certain decisions. The computer does not execute comments, and they are only visible to readers.

• Can I add comments to existing VBA code?

Yes, you can insert comments into existing VBA code by inserting the text after the apostrophe or “Rem” keyword.

• Are comments necessary in VBA code?

While comments aren’t mandatory for VBA code to work, they can help others read and understand the code. Good commenting practices can make code easier to read, maintain, and debug.

• How should I format my comments in VBA?

VBA comments do not require particular formatting, however, it is suggested that you use concise language and place comments before the code they explain. You may also utilize indentation or formatting to make comments distinct from the rest of the code.

• Can comments make my VBA code run slower?

Comments have no effect on the speed or performance of VBA code. When computers execute code, they ignore comments, so adding comments will not slow down your code.

• Can I comment out a block of code in VBA?

Yes, it’s possible to comment out a code block in VBA by inserting an apostrophe in the starting position of each line of the block. This may come in handy when debugging code or temporarily turning off code that you don’t want to delete.

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Conclusion

This concludes the article on the Excel VBA to Comment a Block. If you found this post useful, please share it with your friends. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.