Show Argument List for a Custom Function

I gather that you want all users to be able to use IntelliSense for your custom UDF. If they have access to the function they will have access to IntelliSense too. Just make sure to put your public function and enum in a template that loads when they start Excel. The \XLStart folder is recommended. (to find the correct \XLStart folder, run MsgBox Application.StartupPath).

Hi there Pablo,

Are you talking about a UDF written for use in the IDE, or a worksheet function? As MacroShadow says, so long as they have access to the UDF (i.e. it's in their workbook) they will get the syntax information. It of course depends on how you're deploying this though. If this is an add-in they'll need to have the UDF transferred into the workbook itself, which can be done, although it can get a little tricky.

If you're making a COM add-in it's a different situation. While you can make the COM UDF's visible through traditional means, it's difficult. It'd be easier to use something like Excel DNA (free) or Add-In Express (paid).

In any case, a clearer definition of what you want would help.

Regards,
Zack Barresse

Hi Zack, MacroShadow.

I normally write UDFs for personal use, or to be used along with some other code. In this case, I need to write several UDFs that will be used by other people, and they need to be as straightforward as possible. I'm writing the UDFs i a workbook module, so anyone can see them and use them, but you can't see the argument list, let alone the possible options for each argument.

I just want to know if I'm missing something, or this is just not available for custom functions.

Thanks for your help,
Pablo.

The UDF would need to reside in the file it's being called from to see the syntax. So you'd have to copy it to the destination workbook. Is that what you mean?

Zack

The UDF resides in the same file. The problem is, whenever I try inserting the UDF as a formula, I'm not getting any info on its arguments.

Oh, so your looking for a tooltip not for IntelliSense. I'm afraid that is quite impossible.

Not impossible, just difficult. You just can't do it with VBA. You'd need to write this as a managed add-in, using C#/VB, etc. Generally when writing your own UDF's in VBA, training is the best option.

Zack

Actually I believe it can be done in VBA using api, but I don't have the time to prove it.

AFAIK that is impossible and I've never seen it done. But if you do get time, I'd certainly love for you to prove me wrong. That'd be pretty cool. ;)

Zack

I'm sorry for leaving this question.

I found a more creative way to allow the users to deal with the arguments that my UDF requires. I offered a set of aliases for each possible value and it seems to be working. nonetheless, I'd like to know if there is a simple solution to my original question.

Thanks,
Pablo.

Simple? No! Possible? Maybe.

Zack's reply isn't a simple solution, but it does the job when there's no other option. Thanks!