VBA & Macro Problems

How to Access a Date Stored in an Excel Defined Name with VBA

Rana Garcia Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to properly retrieve and compare a dynamically calculated date stored in an Excel defined name using a VBA macro.

How to Access a Date Stored in an Excel Defined Name with VBA

Product: Excel / WPS Spreadsheet
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Writing a VBA script that compares an internal VBA date variable with a dynamically calculated date generated by a defined name in the spreadsheet.
Observed behavior: Directly comparing a defined name that calculates a date with a VBA Date value causes unexpected behaviors or fails to execute properly.

Before you start

Ensure your workbook is saved in a Macro-Enabled format (.xlsm) and verify in the Name Manager that your defined name calculates a valid date string or serial number.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Evaluate and CDate Functions in VBA

The most reliable method to process a dynamically calculated date in an Excel defined name is to use VBA's Evaluate method, wrapped in CDate if necessary.

When dealing with Excel defined names that output formulas or dynamic dates (e.g., 'SecondWednesday'), VBA might interpret the fetched value as a string or an unformatted variant rather than a pure date. Wrapping the Evaluate method with CDate ensures the output is treated strictly as a Date data type, allowing for accurate comparisons with other VBA date variables.

Open the VBA Editor

Press ALT + F11 on your keyboard to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.

Locate or Insert a Module

In the Project Explorer pane, right-click your workbook name, select Insert, and choose Module.

Write the Evaluation Code

Retrieve the defined name's value by using the CDate and Evaluate functions. For example: `Dim myDate As Date` followed by `myDate = CDate(Evaluate("SecondWednesday"))`.

Perform the Date Comparison

Use your new Date variable in an IF statement to compare it against another date, such as `If Date > myDate Then`.

Run and Test the Macro

Press F5 or run your subroutine to confirm the date is accurately evaluated and correctly compared without triggering type mismatch errors.

Direct Evaluation: If the evaluated result is already a numeric serial value suitable for your specific comparison, you can omit CDate and simply use Evaluate("SecondWednesday").

Powerful VBA Support

Run VBA and Evaluate Defined Names Seamlessly in WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet fully supports VBA macros, advanced defined names, and formula evaluations, making it highly compatible with your existing Excel scripts.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Open your Macro-enabled Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your .xlsm file containing the defined names.
3. Enable Macros: Click 'Enable Macros' in the security warning bar at the top of the worksheet to allow VBA execution.
4. Run your Script: Access the VBA editor via the Developer tab to edit, run, and debug your Evaluate scripts just as you would in Microsoft Excel.

Full support for VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) scripts and macros.Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsm, .xlsb, .xlsx) and functions.Easily manage, create, and evaluate complex defined names.Lightweight, fast, and free to use.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get a Type Mismatch error when referencing a defined name in VBA?

A Type Mismatch usually occurs when the defined name returns a text string or error value instead of a recognized date format. Using CDate(Evaluate("Name")) forces a date conversion, but the underlying formula in the Name Manager must initially yield a valid date.

Can I use Range("MyDate").Value instead of Evaluate?

Yes, if the defined name refers to a specific physical cell containing a date, Range("Name").Value works perfectly. However, if the defined name is a standalone formula (not anchored to a cell), you must use the Evaluate() function.

How do I check what value Evaluate is returning before comparing it?

You can use the Immediate Window in the VBA editor (press CTRL + G). Simply type `?Evaluate("YourDefinedName")` and press Enter to see the exact value and format being returned by the spreadsheet engine.

Excel & Data Problems