This final exercise, in Figure 4.10, asks you to sort a range in descending order based on the Total column.

The recorded code and its modifications are listed in the Sorting and Sorting1 subs. This again illustrates how you do not need to select a range before doing something to it. It also shows how the recorded code lists all arguments of the Sort method. The ones that have not been changed from their default values are omitted in the modified code.

Figure 4.10 Exercise 6 Worksheet

Recorded Code

Modified Code

As these exercises illustrate, you can learn a lot by recording Excel tasks and then examining the recorded code. However, you often need to modify the code to make it more readable and fit your specific needs. Also, be aware that there are many things you cannot record. Specifically, there is no way to record control logic and loops, two of the most important programming constructs available to a programmer. You have to program these manually—the recorder cannot do it for you. Finally, I repeat my frustration that recording doesn’t always work as expected. For example, recording chart manipulations in Excel 2007 often yields no code at al. So don’t be surprised if you experience similar recording “errors” from time to time.

The following exercise allows you to try some recording on your own and then create a handy button on your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) for the recorded macro.