ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Columns.Count - 8 what does it mean?

Question

what does ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Columns.Count - 8 mean in vba?

How does vba know the usedRange?

Answer 1

Here's the exact definition of UsedRange (MSDN reference) :

Every Worksheet object has a UsedRange property that returns a Range object representing the area of a worksheet that is being used. The UsedRange property represents the area described by the farthest upper-left and farthest lower-right nonempty cells in a worksheet and includes all cells in between.

So basically, what that line does is :

1. .UsedRange -> "Draws" a box around the outer-most cells with content inside.
2. .Columns -> Selects the entire columns of those cells
3. .Count -> Returns an integer corresponding to how many columns there are (in this selection)
4. - 8 -> Subtracts 8 from the previous integer.

I assume VBA calculates the UsedRange by finding the non-empty cells with lowest and highest index values.

Most likely, you're getting an error because the number of lines in your range is smaller than 3, and therefore the number returned is negative.

Answer 2

I think if you try:

Sub Macro3()
a = ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Columns.Count - 3
End Sub  

with a watch on a you will see it does make a difference.

Answer 3

BernardSaucier has already given you an answer. My post is not an answer but an explanation as to why you shouldn't be using UsedRange.

UsedRange is highly unreliable as shown HERE

To find the last column which has data, use .Find and then subtract from it.

With Sheets("Sheet1")
    If Application.WorksheetFunction.CountA(.Cells) <> 0 Then
        lastCol = .Cells.Find(What:="*", _
                      After:=.Range("A1"), _
                      Lookat:=xlPart, _
                      LookIn:=xlFormulas, _
                      SearchOrder:=xlByColumns, _
                      SearchDirection:=xlPrevious, _
                      MatchCase:=False).Column
    Else
        lastCol = 1
    End If
End With

If lastCol > 8 Then
    'Debug.Print ActiveSheet.UsedRange.Columns.Count - 8

    'The above becomes

    Debug.Print lastCol - 8
End If

Answer 4

Seems like you want to move around. Try this:

ActiveSheet.UsedRange.select

results in....

If you want to move that selection 3 rows up then try this

ActiveSheet.UsedRange.offset(-3).select

does this...

Answer 5

UsedRange represents not only nonempty cells, but also formatted cells without any value. And that's why you should be very vigilant.