For example, in the following statement, the Font property returns a Font object contained in a Range object. Bold is a property of the Font object, not the Range object.

Range("A1").Font.Bold = True

There can be many different ways to refer to the same object.

Assume that you have a workbook named Sales, and it''s the only workbook open. Then assume that this workbook has one worksheet, named Summary. You can refer to the sheet in any of the following ways:

Workbooks("Sales.xlsx").Worksheets("Summary")

Workbooks(1).Worksheets(1)

Workbooks(1).Sheets(1)

Application.ActiveWorkbook.ActiveSheet

ActiveWorkbook.ActiveSheet

ActiveSheet

The method that you use is usually determined by how much you know about the workspace. For example, if more than one workbook is open, the second and third methods are not reliable. If you want to work with the active sheet (whatever it may be), any of the last three methods would work. To be absolutely sure that you''re sheet on a specific workbook, the first method is your best choice.

Learning more about objects and properties

If this is your first exposure to VBA, you''re probably a bit overwhelmed by objects, properties, and methods. I don''t blame you. If you try to access a property that an object doesn''t have, you get a runtime error, and your VBA code grinds to a screeching halt until you correct the problem.