Excel VBA Dynamic array

Question

I know we can write dynamic array My question is Can i write values 6*6 it will get me a 36 array

I want this to be saved in some cell as my values could be changed to 5*5 Basically my array is dynamic i want each result to be saved

Answer 1

Note that if you have an array

Dim Arr()
ReDim Arr(1 To 6, 1 To 6)

you can only change the last dimension eg

ReDim Preserve Arr(1 To 6, 1 To 5) 

but never the first one. Therefore what you ask for is not possible without loosing the data in the array.

The only workaround for that is to create a new array and move the data from the old array to the new one field by field.

Answer 2

Write 6x6 array values back to sheet as if redimmed to 5x5

As far as I understand your intention, you want to - save 2-dim array values to a range (referenced by a given top cell) and - to get rid of the upper boundary in both dimensions for reasons whatever.

If not added one by one, you might have gotten the original data from a sheet range as follows

Dim v                               ' provide for a variant array
v = Sheet1.Range("A2").Resize(6, 6) ' assign all data to 1-based 2-dim array v

Note the fully qualified range reference via a sheet's CodeName , assuming basic data in a sheet with VBE Tool Window (Name) of eg Sheet1 .

Attempt 1 - resize the hosting target range to receive array v

This would be the easiest way to get the needed values into the sheet, but with the disadvantage that you did'nt change the related array likewise, eg

With Sheet2
    .Cells.Clear            ' emptying any content in target sheet
    .Range("A2").Resize(5, 5) = v   ' start cell e.g. in A2 (leaving room for title row)
End With

To overcome this, you might want to copy to a temporary sheet and return the resized values only

    With Sheet2
        .Cells.Clear            ' emptying any content in target sheet
        .Range("A2").Resize(5, 5) = v   ' blueprint the entire array via a filtering bottle neck
        v = .UsedRange          ' resize the array, too :-)
    End With    

Attempt 2 - redim the original array

In case you'd try to redimension the original array via ► ReDim or ReDim Preserve , PEH mentioned correctly, that it's only possible to change the last dimension , eg

ReDim Preserve Arr(1 To 6, 1 To 5) 

but never the first one.

TL;DR

The cited answer states as well:

The only workaround for that is to create a new array and move the data from the old array to the new one field by field.

Out of inquisitiveness I tried to find other workarounds.

[1] Using the ► Application.Index function

    v = Application.Index(v, Evaluate("row(1:5)"), Array(1, 2, 3, 4, 5))

or alternatively via procedure call RD (short for ReDim )

RD v, 5, 5
'...

Sub RD(Arr, UBnd1&, UBnd2&)
    Arr = Application.Index(Arr, Evaluate("row(1:" & UBnd1 & ")"), Application.Transpose(Evaluate("row(1:" & UBnd2 & ")")))
End Sub

Cf the advanced features and pecularities of the Application.Index function at Insert new first column in array without loops

[2] Using a listbox'es .List property

An alternative would be - to redim an array in its 2nd dim, - assign it to a ListBox.List created on the fly, - remove last rows and assign .List property back to the array

Caveat: the .List property returns a zero-based 2-dim array instead 1-based items see return 0-based array from UsedRange value to reflect the method.

[3] Possible memory methods avoiding too much loops, eg via MemCpy or CopyMemory

►Would be interested in any feed back knowing a valid answer, could pose a new question if wanted.