VBA & Macro Problems

How to Call the SAM.gov API from Excel VBA

Olivia Miller Oct 7, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to retrieve contracting opportunities from the SAM.gov API using Excel VBA and display the results in a worksheet with sorting functionality.

How to Call the SAM.gov API from Excel VBA

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Automating the retrieval of public contracting data from SAM.gov directly into a spreadsheet via API integration.
Observed behavior: The user needs to construct a VBA script with the correct API key, handle the HTTP request, and map the returned API data into worksheet cells.

Before you start

Before writing your VBA code, ensure you have registered for a valid SAM.gov API key and have enabled the 'Microsoft XML, v6.0' reference in your VBA Editor.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Up API Authentication and Write the VBA Request

Review the official SAM.gov API guidelines to structure your HTTP request in VBA using your API key and parse the data.

Calling an external API from Excel requires sending an HTTP request and parsing the returned JSON data. You must consult the SAM.gov API documentation to identify the correct endpoint and required parameters.

Enable VBA References

Open the VBA Editor by pressing ALT + F11. Go to Tools > References, and check the box for 'Microsoft XML, v6.0' to allow your script to send HTTP requests.

Write the HTTP Request

Create a new Sub routine. Initialize an 'MSXML2.XMLHTTP' object and use the '.Open' method to configure a GET request to the SAM.gov API endpoint, appending your API key to the URL parameters.

Parse the Response

Since VBA does not have a native JSON parser, import a library like VBA-JSON into your project. Use it to parse the 'XMLHTTP.responseText' into a Dictionary or Collection.

Populate the Worksheet

Write a For loop to iterate through the parsed JSON items and write the specific fields (like contract name, date, and agency) into your desired worksheet cells.

Add Interface Buttons

Go to the Developer tab on the Excel ribbon, click Insert, and choose a Form Control Button. Place it on the sheet and assign your new API macro to it for easy data refreshing.

Set Up API Authentication and Write the VBA Request

API Rate Limits: Always check the SAM.gov API documentation for rate limits. Sending requests too frequently can result in your API key being temporarily blocked.

Solution 2

Troubleshoot VBA Code on Developer Forums

If you encounter specific coding errors or run-time exceptions, leverage developer communities for dedicated VBA support.

Advanced Spreadsheet Alternative

Run API Macros Seamlessly in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office provides robust support for VBA and macros, allowing you to easily integrate external APIs like SAM.gov directly into your spreadsheets without needing expensive software.

1. Open Developer Tools: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and navigate to the 'Developer' tab on the top ribbon.
2. Access the VBA Editor: Click on 'VBA Editor' to launch the macro programming environment and insert a new module.
3. Paste and Run: Paste your SAM.gov API script, add a button to your sheet, and run the macro to instantly import contracting data.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel VBA scripts and macro formats (.xlsm)Lightweight application with high performance for handling large JSON data setsFree and easy to use with a familiar ribbon interface and Developer tools

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I parse JSON data from an API in VBA?

VBA does not have a native JSON parser. You must import an external library, such as VBA-JSON, into your VBA project, which allows you to convert the API's JSON response text into an easy-to-use Dictionary object.

Why is my SAM.gov API request returning an 'Access Denied' error?

This typically occurs if your API key is invalid, missing from the URL parameters, or if you have exceeded the API rate limit specified in the SAM.gov documentation.

Can I run this VBA API macro on a Mac?

Excel for Mac has limitations with the standard MSXML2 library used in Windows. You may need to use AppleScript or the QueryTables object as a workaround to handle HTTP requests.

How can I automate the API data refresh in my spreadsheet?

You can use the 'Application.OnTime' method in your VBA script to trigger the SAM.gov API call at specific intervals, or link the macro to the 'Workbook_Open' event to refresh data automatically when the file is opened.

Excel & Data Problems