VBA Programming - Data Types, Variable Scopes, and Debugging Shortcuts

Double

High-precision floating point (15-6 digits) data type used in VBA for calculations involving decimal numbers.

ex: 3.14159265358979

Single

Lower-precision floating point (7 digits)

ex: 3.14

Integer

Whole numbers from -32,768 to 32,767 (ex: 42)

Long

Larger integers (-2B to 2B)

ex: 1000000

String

Text

ex: “Hello”

Boolean

Logical values (ex: True / False)

Currency

Fixed-point with 4 decimal places

ex: 1234.5678

Date

Date/time values

ex: #9/22/2025#

Variant

Generic and default - takes any type (not recommended unless needed); ex: 5 or “text”

Range

Refers to Excel cell(s); ex: Range(“A1”)

Local

Inside a sub/function that only the active procedure can use (ex: Dim or Static)

Module-Level

At the top of a module (outside procedures); used by any sub or function in that module (ex: Dim)

Global

At the top of a module, accessible across all modules; used by entire workbook

ex: Public

Step Into

Executes the current line and enters into called procedures or functions.

keys: F8

Step Over

Executes the current line without entering any functions it calls.

Keys: Shift + F8

Step Out

Finishes the current function/sub and returns to the caller.

Keys: Ctrl + Shift + F8

Run to Cursor

Executes everything up to the line where your cursor is.

Keys: Ctrl + F8

Run to Breakpoint

F5

Add Watch

When the expression becomes true, VBA pauses execution

Steps: Debug → Add Watch

Add Breakpoint

The program will run until it reaches that line, then pause.

Click in margin or press F9

View Locals Window

View → Locals Window