Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 24, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Excel lets you create new worksheets in a number of different ways. What if you want to create a new worksheet and name it all in one step? The easiest way to do this is with a macro. The following is an example of a macro that will ask for a name, and then create a worksheet and give that worksheet the name provided.
Sub AddNameNewSheet1() Dim Newname As String Newname = InputBox("Name for new worksheet?") If Newname <> "" Then Sheets.Add Type:=xlWorksheet ActiveSheet.Name = Newname End If End Sub
This macro works fine, as long as the user enters a worksheet name that is "legal" by Excel standards. If the new name is not acceptable to Excel, the worksheet is still added, but it is not renamed as expected.
A more robust macro would anticipate possible errors in naming a worksheet. The following example code will add the worksheet, but keep asking for a worksheet name if an incorrect one is supplied.
Sub AddNameNewSheet2() Dim CurrentSheetName As String 'Remember where we started 'Not needed if you don't want to return 'to where you started but want to stay 'on the New Sheet CurrentSheetName = ActiveSheet.Name 'Add New Sheet Sheets.Add 'Make sure the name is valid On Error Resume Next 'Get the new name ActiveSheet.Name = InputBox("Name for new worksheet?") 'Keep asking for name if name is invalid Do Until Err.Number = 0 Err.Clear ActiveSheet.Name = InputBox("Try Again!" _ & vbCrLf & "Invalid Name or Name Already Exists" _ & vbCrLf & "Please name the New Sheet") Loop On Error GoTo 0 'Go back to where you started 'Not needed if you don't want to return 'to where you started but want to stay 'on the New Sheet Sheets(CurrentSheetName).Select End Sub
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2022) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Creating Worksheets with a Macro.
Best-Selling VBA Tutorial for Beginners Take your Excel knowledge to the next level. With a little background in VBA programming, you can go well beyond basic spreadsheets and functions. Use macros to reduce errors, save time, and integrate with other Microsoft applications. Fully updated for the latest version of Office 365. Check out Microsoft 365 Excel VBA Programming For Dummies today!
An Excel workbook can contain quite a few different objects. Sometimes those objects can be hidden so that they are not ...
Discover MoreYou can create macros that run whenever Excel detects a certain event happening within an entire workbook. This tip ...
Discover MoreUsing macros to step through each cell in a selection is a common occurrence. What if that selected range is made up of ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2018-02-11 09:08:12
Victoria
I would like to seek assistance on my project to use macro in a report. however, I just start recording and cannot make the thing I want as an output.
would you mind helping me on this?
appreciate your utmost assistance.
thank you
2017-10-08 14:49:31
Barry
I would always recommend allowing the User to Cancel out, and this case deleting the worksheet added.
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments