VB: Saving an array

Question

This is probably trivial but I couldn't find an answer via Google.

In Visual Basic, is it possible to save an array to a variable and then restore that array to its previous self by setting it equal to that variable?

Example:

Dim SomeArray(20) As Integer

X = SomeArray

{Do stuff to the SomeArray}

SomeArray = X

I've tried this by using a variable X defined as a Variant, but that gives a compile error. Any suggestions?

EDIT

Thank you everyone for trying to help me out. I've posted my test VBA code below. I get a compile error already at the statement "X = SomeArray". I hope one of you can tell me where my error lies. Here's the code:

Dim SomeArray(), X() As Integer

Sub Macro1()

ReDim SomeArray(1 To 20)

X = SomeArray

For i = 1 To 20
  SomeArray(i) = i
Next i

SomeArray = X

For i = 1 To 20
  MsgBox "SomeArray(" & i & ") = " & SomeArray(i)
Next i

End Sub

Not sure the goal, but you can always use a storage variable, and some for loops. — Holmes IV, Jul 08 '16 at 21:44
Look at the second answer here http://stackoverflow.com/questions/22903330/copy-array-data-to-another-array-using-vb6 — Jim Hewitt, Jul 08 '16 at 21:47
@Scott Craner I'm using VBA for Excel and when I define X as "Dim X(20) As Integer" I get a compile error at the statement "X = SomeArray". — Jens, Jul 08 '16 at 21:55
@Jim Hewitt OK, but that seems trivial. I.e. I can make a copy by running through all instances of the SomeArray, but this is what I would like to avoid as my SomeArray is very large. — Jens, Jul 08 '16 at 21:58
@Jim Hewitt Sorry for being dense, but I don't see the difference. Isn't the last answer also just a run-through of the entire array? — Jens, Jul 08 '16 at 22:12
@Jens Maybe it's me. I was referring to the one with 3 upvotes. — Jim Hewitt, Jul 08 '16 at 22:14
@Jim Hewitt Tried the answer with 3 upvotes. I still get a compile error. Perhaps that answer only works for VB6 and not VBA? — Jens, Jul 08 '16 at 22:22
@Jens That answer works in VBA. Update your code, error message and error position. — cyboashu, Jul 08 '16 at 22:25
@cyboashu I've edited my question to show my code. Can you explain what is wrong? — Jens, Jul 08 '16 at 22:40
`Dim SomeArray() as Integer, X() As Integer` and it works for me — Scott Craner, Jul 08 '16 at 22:40
@Scott Craner THANK YOU!! Separating the Dim statements into 2 separate statements made it work. I don't understand why, but I'm happy it did! — Jens, Jul 08 '16 at 22:44

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 08 '16 at 22:43

1

Just declare data type for first array as Scott said. Seems you are overly confused now, take a deep breath and copy paste this code. :) Revisit it after some time and everything will be clear. :)

Dim SomeArray() As Integer, X() As Integer

Sub Macro1()

ReDim SomeArray(1 To 20)

X = SomeArray

For i = 1 To 20
  SomeArray(i) = i
Next i

SomeArray = X

For i = 1 To 20
  MsgBox "SomeArray(" & i & ") = " & SomeArray(i)
Next i

End Sub

answered Jul 08 '16 at 22:43

cyboashu

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Got it. But can you explain what the difference is between "Dim SomeArray() As Integer, X() As Integer" and "Dim SomeArray() , X() As Integer"? – Jens Jul 08 '16 at 22:49
Thank you. As you can probably tell I'm a bit of a novice at VB. :) – Jens Jul 08 '16 at 22:54
No worries. Every body starts as a novice only. :) – cyboashu Jul 08 '16 at 22:55

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 08 '16 at 22:45

Not sure what you're doing in your example - you're not even using X

I assume you want to test transferring SomeArray into the X array

I'd just use a variant for X and do this

Dim SomeArray()
Dim X As Variant

Sub Macro1()

    ReDim SomeArray(1 To 20)

    For i = 1 To 20
      SomeArray(i) = i
    Next i

    X = SomeArray

    For i = 1 To 20
      MsgBox "x(" & i & ") = " & X(i)
    Next i

End Sub

VB: Saving an array

2 Answers2