Excel VBA function returning an array

Question

Can you create an Excel VBA function that returns an array in the same manner as LINEST does, for example? I would to create one that, given a supplier code, returns a list

Answer 1

I think Collection might be what you are looking for.

Example:

Private Function getProducts(ByVal supplier As String) As Collection
    Dim getProducts_ As New Collection

    If supplier = "ACME" Then
        getProducts_.Add ("Anvil")
        getProducts_.Add ("Earthquake Pills")
        getProducts_.Add ("Dehydrated Boulders")
        getProducts_.Add ("Disintegrating Pistol")
    End If

    Set getProducts = getProducts_
    Set getProducts_ = Nothing
End Function

Private Sub fillProducts()
    Dim products As Collection
    Set products = getProducts("ACME")
    For i = 1 To products.Count
        Sheets(1).Cells(i, 1).Value = products(i)
    Next i
End Sub

Edit: Here is a pretty simple solution to the Problem: Populating a ComboBox for Products whenever the ComboBox for Suppliers changes it's value with as little vba as possible.

Public Function getProducts(ByVal supplier As String) As Collection
    Dim getProducts_ As New Collection
    Dim numRows As Long
    Dim colProduct As Integer
    Dim colSupplier As Integer
    colProduct = 1
    colSupplier = 2

    numRows = Sheets(1).Cells(1, colProduct).CurrentRegion.Rows.Count

    For Each Row In Sheets(1).Range(Sheets(1).Cells(1, colProduct), Sheets(1).Cells(numRows, colSupplier)).Rows
        If supplier = Row.Cells(1, colSupplier) Then
            getProducts_.Add (Row.Cells(1, colProduct))
        End If
    Next Row

    Set getProducts = getProducts_
    Set getProducts_ = Nothing
End Function

Private Sub comboSupplier_Change()
    comboProducts.Clear
    For Each Product In getProducts(comboSupplier)
        comboProducts.AddItem (Product)
    Next Product
End Sub

Notes: I named the ComboBox for Suppliers comboSupplier and the one for Products comboProducts.