There’s no way in VBA to “pause” a macro. Code must run to completion… Unless there’s a command for user input.
Input can be requested via the InputBox
and MsgBox
methods, but those block access to the document because they’re modal. A UserForm, however, can be set to display as non-modal, meaning it stays on top, but doesn’t block access to the document or the application features. Since you’re already working with a UserForm, this can be implemented relatively easily.
In the small example below, the Continue
button runs the code to perform an action on the user selection. When Done
is clicked the entire code is exited and the form unloaded.
Code behind the user form
Option Explicit
Private Sub cmdContinue_Click()
Debug.Print Selection.Range.Text
End Sub
Private Sub cmdDone_Click()
Me.Hide
End Sub
Private Sub UserForm_Activate()
'Position the form near the top-left of the window
'So that the user can work with the document
Me.Top = Application.ActiveWindow.Top + 50
Me.Left = Application.ActiveWindow.Left + 50
End Sub
Code in a regular module
Option Explicit
Sub DisplayModeless()
Dim frm As frmModelessForInput
Set frm = New frmModelessForInput
frm.Show False 'Display as non-modal
Set frm = Nothing
End Sub
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solved Pause VBA Word macro, allow user to make a selection, and restart where it left off