Excel autogenerate number when file opened

There are many ways you can do it. If it is just for a particular workbook then I would suggest you to create a temp sheet and store the number there and every time you open the workbook simply read that value and increment it.

Sid

Excel has a random generator function.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828795 

If it is not important that the number follows a sequence, so if the only important is to be unique everytime, you can use this formula on the ceil:

= Int(Rand()*2000000000)

Otherwise you should program a macro on the open event to take a numer on a cell (i.e. A1) increment it and save the number on the cell A1, but this is a little more complex.

This is what I was suggesting. Sample file attached.

Sid

Code Used

Dim Numb As Long

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Numb = Sheets("Temp").Range("A1").Value + 1
    msgbox Numb
End Sub

Private Sub Workbook_BeforeClose(Cancel As Boolean)
    Sheets("Temp").Range("A1").Value = Numb
End Sub

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Sample.xls

You state an incrementing number so the following does just that when placed in the thisworkbook module.  Basically it initialises a customdocumentproperty if needed and stores the number there.  The script includes a msgbox for demo purposes and a save as soon as the file opens so the increment is recorded.

Both the auto save and the msgbox can be deleted when you are happy

The attached file has the code and has been initialised .. was set at 2 at closure of test

Chris

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    If Not propexists("Ticker") Then
        Me.CustomDocumentProperties.Add Name:="Ticker", LinkToContent:=False, Type:=msoPropertyTypeNumber, Value:=0, LinkSource:=False
    End If
    Me.CustomDocumentProperties("Ticker") = Me.CustomDocumentProperties("Ticker") + 1
    Me.Save
    MsgBox Me.CustomDocumentProperties("Ticker")
End Sub

Function propexists(strPropname) As Boolean
Dim prop As Object

    For Each prop In Me.CustomDocumentProperties
        If LCase(prop.Name) = LCase(strPropname) Then
            propexists = True
            Exit For
        End If
    Next
End Function

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Workbook1.xls

BTW, recall the earlier statement the code self initialises so you simply put the supplied code in the thisworkbook and it works from the time it is first saved and then re-opened.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I have already a excel file, and there is a cell where it has invoice number, and this is where I want the number to be generated on, and is there a place where I can store this number?

Did you check my post?

Sid

Yes I did, do you have more description, or a site I can see how that is done.

If you open the file that I attached then you can see the code. Or if you have a sample file then maybe I can give you an example?

Sid

Sorry I was just reading your first post, let me look more into the second

hey Siddharthrout, so would it be random and unique everytime.  How do I implement that in to my worksheet.

Do you want the number to be random or increment it every time?

Sid

Lets keep it incrementing for simplicity.  Most important it has to be different everytime it is opened, and is there a way for the number to be stored

Then the file that I gave above does what you want :)

What is the initial number that you want the series to start with?

Sid

It doesnt matter it can start with 1, but how come everytime I save it and reopen it, it gives the same number?

Are macros enabled?

Sid

The reason why I ask is because every time I open it, it gives me a new number, provided I save the file before closing...

Sid

OK when I close and save, it increments. What do I replace msgbox Numb, in order for that to be displayed on a particular cell. Is there a way to increment even if the document is not saved, where it is just closed.  I see how you have in the temp worksheet the number that is going to be used to increment, is there a possible way we can have another workbook, where it stored all the numbers that have been used.  After it closes it increments the temp worksheet, and stored it in another worksheet, so we have a track of every number used?

Thanks for all your help, you are very helpful

What do I replace msgbox Numb, in order for that to be displayed on a particular cell

Say you want to display the number in cell A1 of sheet1 then Replace the line

msgbox Numb

with

Sheets("Sheet1").Range("A1").Value = Numb

Is there a way to increment even if the document is not saved, where it is just closed.

Yes. Delete the code Workbook_BeforeClose and Use this code

Dim Numb As Long

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Numb = Sheets("Temp").Range("A1").Value + 1
    Sheets("Sheet1").Range("A1").Value = Numb
    Sheets("Temp").Range("A1").Value = Numb
End Sub

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I see how you have in the temp worksheet the number that is going to be used to increment, is there a possible way we can have another workbook, where it stored all the numbers that have been used.  After it closes it increments the temp worksheet, and stored it in another worksheet, so we have a track of every number used?

Yes you can do that as well.

You will then have to use this code... Autonumber.xls is the other workbook where the numbers are stored.

Dim Numb As Long

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Dim wb1 As Workbook, wb2 As Workbook
    
    Set wb1 = ActiveWorkbook
    Set wb2 = Workbooks.Open("C:\Autonumber.xls")
    
    Numb = wb2.Sheets("Temp").Range("A1").Value + 1
    
    wb1.Sheets("Sheet1").Range("A1").Value = Numb
    
    wb2.Sheets("Temp").Range("A1").Value = Numb
    
    wb2.Close savechanges:=True
End Sub

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Sid

I am going out for a couple of hours so I wont be able to reply to your queries now. But I will, once I get back  :)

However, I think I have answered all your main queries :)

Take Care,

Sid

Thanks Sid, I tried having an autonumber file, but it doesnt store all the numbers, it just stores the number in A1 cell and gets updated with the new value.  I decided to go with

Dim Numb As Long

Private Sub Workbook_Open()
    Numb = Sheets("Temp").Range("A1").Value + 1
    Sheets("Sheet1").Range("A1").Value = Numb
    Sheets("Temp").Range("A1").Value = Numb
End Sub

The problem is, It will only increment when I save, close and reopen.  It wont increment if I just close and reopen.

So there isn't a way to store the numbers used on a separate file or tab so that the numbers will be stored in A1 then the second number would be A2, A3... and so on?

Here is the 2003 version.

Sid
AutoNumber.xls

Sid your the best, thanks

Best solution