Sandra Smith
asked on
Loop through a column to find the longest string
I need to loop through a column, check each field and determine its length and when compeleted, return from the function the value for the longest string. I think I can figure out how to loop, but how to I tell it to return only the longest count of characters? That is, if cell A15 has data that is 15 characters and cell A16 has 22 characters, I want the function to only return 22.
Before your loop begins, have this:
max = 0
inside your loop, have this:
temp = Len(ActiveCell)
if temp > max then max = temp
Len returns the length of the string
max = 0
inside your loop, have this:
temp = Len(ActiveCell)
if temp > max then max = temp
Len returns the length of the string
You could use an array formula - enter with ctrl+shift+enter:
=MAX(LEN(A1:A10))
=MAX(LEN(A1:A10))
On column B I putted a formula to get the lenght of column A value. Then on cell D1 I putted an array formula to get the value that corresponds to the value with the highest lenght on column A. To insert an array formula just type in the formula on the cell and instead of pressing just Enter key, Ctrl-Shift-Enter.
The formula will look like this:
{=INDEX(A1:A6,MATCH(MAX(LE N(A:A)),B1 :B6,0))}
jppinto
Book2.xlsx
The formula will look like this:
{=INDEX(A1:A6,MATCH(MAX(LE
jppinto
Book2.xlsx
ASKER
ISorry, did not mention, this must be all done in VBA code. Also, I discovered that one field has over 300 characters, which should not be considered as it is a footnote. Ragnarok89, I think this is what I am looking for, will try and get back.
ASKER
I have adapted the code incorporating some of the suggestions, but all the Debug.Print intMax returns is 0. I think I am missing a point somewhere.
Public Sub LengthCountTest()
Dim rngCell As Range
Dim intColTextLength As Integer
Dim intRowCount As Integer
Dim intColCount As Integer
Dim aryColCount() As Integer
Dim intColumns As Integer
Dim intMax As Integer
intMax = 0
'First set the print area to a named range
With ActiveSheet
.Names.Add "ReportArea", _
"=" & Range("Print_Area").Address
intRowCount = .Range("ReportArea").Rows.Count
Debug.Print intRowCount
intColCount = .Range("ReportArea").Columns.Count
Debug.Print intColCount
'End With
ReDim aryColCount(1 To intColCount)
intColumns = 1
Do Until intColumns > intColCount
With ActiveSheet
For Each rngCell In Range("A1:A" & intRowCount)
intColTextLength = Len(ActiveCell)
If intColTextLength > intMax Then
intMax = intColTextLength
End If
Debug.Print intMax
Next
intColumns = intColumns + 1
End With
Loop
End With
End Sub
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
As a side note, evnetually the Rage("A1:A" & intRowCount) will be replaced by code that will move from one colum to another in the range, but right now I just want to get the first column to return data!
Note - You can use the function above by placing it into a module and then calling it from the sheet by using
=maxInCol("A")
which will give the required result for column A
Michael
=maxInCol("A")
which will give the required result for column A
Michael
ASKER
This is did it. Thank you all. I will be posting another question relative to the fact that I need it to ignore the Max value of 300 +. The footnote is on different rows depending on the report so I cannot simply tell it to ignore a particular row. Eventually, all the max values for each of the columns will populate an array, but that is about three questions down the road.
When asking a question, if you wanted VBA only, you should have mentioned at the beginning! For future reference, please don't forget it...
then you you put a formula at the bottom e.g.: =Max(B1:B50)