Difference between "on error goto 0" and "on error goto -1" -- VBA

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding 'On Error' Statements in VBA

Are you struggling to understand the difference between 'On Error GoTo -1' and 'On Error GoTo 0' in VBA? You're not alone! Many VBA developers find this concept confusing. But fear not, this blog post will break it down for you in a simple and engaging way, ensuring you never have to scratch your head over this issue again.

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into the differences, let's quickly go over the basic purpose of 'On Error' statements in VBA. These statements are used to handle runtime errors in your code. When an error occurs, the program execution can either be transferred to a specific error-handling routine using 'GoTo Label', or it can resume execution at the line following the statement that caused the error.

Now, let's explore the distinctions between 'On Error GoTo -1' and 'On Error GoTo 0'.

On Error GoTo -1

In VBA, 'On Error GoTo -1' is used to turn off the error handling process. It means that if an error occurs, the program will not jump to any error handling routine and instead behave as if the error did not happen.

Here's an example to demonstrate its usage:

Sub ExampleSub()
    On Error GoTo -1
    
    ' Your code goes here
    
    On Error GoTo 0
End Sub

In this example, any error that occurs within the code block will be ignored, and the program will continue executing the subsequent lines.

On Error GoTo 0

On the other hand, 'On Error GoTo 0' is used to reset the error-handling process to its default setting. When an error occurs, the program execution will jump to the line immediately following the line that caused the error.

Here's an example:

Sub ExampleSub()
    On Error GoTo 0
    
    ' Your code goes here
    
End Sub

In this case, if an error occurs within the code block, the program execution will halt, and an error message will be displayed. It's important to note that without any specific error-handling routine, this may lead to unexpected or undesired behavior.

Which One Should You Use?

Now that you understand the difference between 'On Error GoTo -1' and 'On Error GoTo 0', you might be wondering which one to use in your VBA projects.

The answer depends on the specific requirements of your code. If you want to ignore any errors that occur and continue execution as if nothing happened, then 'On Error GoTo -1' is the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you want to handle errors by either displaying an error message or redirecting program execution, 'On Error GoTo 0' is what you need.

Wrapping It Up

Understanding the distinction between 'On Error GoTo -1' and 'On Error GoTo 0' is crucial for effective error handling in VBA. By knowing which one to use in different scenarios, you can ensure your code performs smoothly and handles errors appropriately.

Next time you encounter this question or face any error handling issues in VBA, you'll be well-equipped to handle them intelligently. So, go ahead and apply this knowledge to elevate your VBA programming skills!

If you found this blog post helpful, be sure to share it with fellow VBA developers who might also benefit from it. And don't forget to leave a comment below with any further questions or suggestions for future topics. Let's keep the conversation going!