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VBA · Errors & debugging

Breakpoints and stepping

Pause code at a line (F9) and run it one line at a time (F8) while watching variables.

Very commonDifficulty 1050 · Capable

Practice · 2 questions →

When to use it

A breakpoint (F9 on a line) pauses the macro there. F8 then runs one line at a time while you hover over variables to see values. This is how VBA gets debugged.

The code

Code: F9 toggles a breakpoint, F8 steps, F5 continues

Worked examples

Pause
Click a line, press F9, run the macro → Execution pauses at the line
Then hover variables.
Step
F8 repeatedly → One line at a time; Shift + F8 steps over a call
Follow the logic.
Continue
F5 → Continues to the next breakpoint or the end
Resume.

Worth knowing

Ctrl + F9 sets the next statement to run, skipping or repeating lines.
Breakpoints are not saved with the file; Stop statements are.
Debug > Clear All Breakpoints resets.

Where it goes wrong

A forgotten Stop statement halts the macro for users.
Stepping through Application.ScreenUpdating = False leaves the screen frozen until restored.

On Error handling The Err object Debug.Print and the Immediate window Watches and Locals Compile errors

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