Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 1, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Jody is in the process of developing custom toolbar buttons and assigning macros to the buttons. She wants to have the buttons be enabled whenever at least one worksheet is visible, but is grasping for the proper code to handle such a situation.
There are many ways that this can be approached, as one might assume with an environment as diverse as Excel. One possible solution is to create a routine that simply checks if there are any visible windows on the screen. If there are, then the toolbar buttons can be enabled; if there aren't, then they can be disabled. The following macro will do just that:
Sub CheckButtons()
Dim bOneOpen As Boolean
Dim I As Integer
Dim J As Integer
bOneOpen = False
For I = 1 To Workbooks.Count
For J = 1 To Workbooks(I).Windows.Count
If Workbooks(I).Windows(J).Visible Then bOneOpen = True
Next J
If bOneOpen Then Exit For
Next I
If bln Then
'enable buttons
Else
'disable buttons
End If
End Sub
Notice the two comments near the bottom of the macro. All you need to do is replace those comments with the appropriate code to enable or disable your toolbar buttons. (The code will vary, depending on the number and configuration of your buttons.)
This macro can be called either manually, or it can be called from any of the events that are triggered by window changes, such as those that fire when windows are opened, resized, minimized, maximized, or restored.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2618) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
When storing text in a worksheet, you may have a need to change the case of that text so that the initial letter in each ...
Discover MoreNeed a way, in a macro, to convert binary numbers into their decimal equivalents? There are two ways you can get the ...
Discover MoreYou can use the Zoom feature of Excel to magnify what Excel shows of your workbook, but it affects the entire screen. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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 © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments