VBA VARTYPE Function

Excel VBA VarType Function

VBA VARTYPE means “Variable Type”. This function helps us to identify the data type assigned to the specific variable or in simple word we can say it finds what kind of value is stored or assigned to the variable.

Syntax

VarName: We just need to supply the variable name to find the data stored in the supplied variable name.

So, it takes the variable name as the syntax or argument and in the output, it returns the data type assigned to the variable or the kind of data stored in the variable.

So, if you have ever wondered how to find the variable data type or the kind of data assigned to the variable then here we have a VBA function “VarType”.

Examples

Example #1

In VBA while writing the code we usually declare variable and assign a data type to them. For an example look at the below VBA code.

Code:

Sub VarType_Example()

    Dim MyVar As String

    MyVar = "Hello"

End Sub

In the above example, we have declared the variable as “String” and for this string, we have assigned the value as “Hello”.

This is a straight forward case but it is also possible to declare the variables without assigning the variables to them, so in such cases, VarType function helps us.

Code:

Sub VarType_Example()

    Dim MyVar

    MyVar = "Hello"

End Sub

In the above code we have not assigned any data type but straight away assigned the value as “Hello”, so by using the VarType function we can find the data type of the variable.

Open MSGBOX in VBA coding in the above code.

Then open the VarType function.

Now enter the variable name as the argument of the VARTYPE function.

Code:

Sub VarType_Example()

    Dim MyVar

    MyVar = "Hello"

    MsgBox VarType(MyVar)

End Sub

Now run the code and see what we get in the message box.

We got the result as 8 because VBA has certain codes for each kind of variable data type, so below is the detailed list for you.

Value		Constant		Description
0		vbEmpty		Variable is not yet initialized
1		vbNull		Not valid data is assigned
2		vbInteger		The variable value is “Integer” data type
3		vbLong		The variable value is “Long” data type
4		vbSingle		The variable value is “Single” data type
5		vbDouble		The variable value is “Double” data type
6		vbCurrency		The variable value is “Currency” data type
7		vbDate		The variable value is “Date” data type
8		vbString		The variable value is “String” data type
9		vbObject		The variable value is “Object” data type
10		vbError		The variable value is Error Value
11		vbBoolean		Variable value is “Boolean” data type
12		vbVariant		The variable value is “Variant” data type (used only with arrays of variants)
13		vbDataObject		The variable value is the Data Access Object
14		vbDecimal		Variable value is “Decimal” data type
17		vbByte		The variable value is “Byte” data type
20		vbLongLong		The variable value is “LONG LONG” data type (valid on 64-bit platforms only)
36		vbUserDefinedType		Variable value is “User Defined” data type
8192		vbArray		The variable value is Array

Ok, now our code has retuned the variable data type as 8 i.e. variable name “MyVar” contains “String” data type.

Example #2

Now, look at the below code.

Code:

Sub VarType_Example2()

    Dim MyVar

    Set MyVar = ThisWorkbook

    MsgBox VarType(MyVar)

End Sub

Let’s run this code and see what the result is.

The result is 9 i.e. variable contained the “Object” data type. Yes, this is correct because for the variable “MyVar” we have set the workbook reference of “This Workbook”.

Example #3

Now, look at the below code.

Code:

Sub VarType_Example3()

    Dim MyVar

    MyVar = 32500

    MsgBox VarType(MyVar)

End Sub

This will return the result as 2.

Because the number 32500 which is assigned to the variable is an “Integer” value.

Now I will change the value to 40000 and see the result.

Code:

Sub VarType_Example4()

    Dim MyVar

    MyVar = 40000

    MsgBox VarType(MyVar)

End Sub

This will give the result as 3.

Because Integer value is ending at 32767, so anything above that will be treated as a VBA LONG data type.

Now I will enclose the number in double-quotes.

Code:

Sub VarType_Example5()

    Dim MyVar

    MyVar = "40000"

    MsgBox VarType(MyVar)

End Sub

Run the code and see the result.

We got the result as 8 i.e. String data type.

This is because anything supplied within the parenthesis will be treated as a String variable.

Things to Remember

• VARTYPE stands for “Variable Type”.
• Data Type is represented by unique numbers so refer the table to understand which number represents which variable data type.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to VBA VarType. Here we learn how to find the variable data type or the kind of data assigned to the variable using excel vba VarType function with examples. You can learn more from the following VBA articles –

• Variable Declaration in VBA
• Public Variables in VBA
• Global Variables in VBA
• Return Statement in VBA