The Problem (Q-score 5, ranked #75th of 95 in the VBA Core archive)
The scenario as originally posted in 2011
I was wondering if there was a way to run a VBA script when I open a sheet in the workbook.
For example, I have a workbook called “Inventory” and I want to run an “InitiateInventoryValues” Function when the “View Inventory” sheet is opened.
Can anybody please help me on this?
Why this Range / Worksheet targeting trips people up
The question centers on reaching a specific cell, range, or workbook object. In VBA Core, this is the #1 source of failures after activation events: every property (.Value, .Formula, .Address) behaves differently depending on whether the parent Workbook is explicit or implicit.
The Verified Solution — niche answer (below median) (+7)
8-line VBA Core pattern (copy-ready)
Double click the “Workbook” icon in VBE and use this event. It will trigger everytime you activate a different sheet by clicking its tab. If the tab is the one named “View Inventory”, your code will run (once) when the sheet is activated:
Private Sub Workbook_SheetActivate(ByVal Sh As Object)
If Sh.Name = "View Inventory" Then
'Do your code
End If
End Sub
When to Use It — vintage (14+ years old, pre-2013)
Ranked #75th in its category — specialized fit
This pattern sits in the 94% tail relative to the top answer. Reach for it when your scenario closely matches the question title; otherwise browse the VBA Core archive for a higher-consensus alternative.
What changed between 2011 and 2026
The answer is 15 years old. The VBA Core object model has been stable across Office 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 365, and 2024/2026 LTSC, so the pattern still compiles. Changes that might affect you: 64-bit API declarations (use PtrSafe), blocked macros in downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), and the shift toward Office Scripts for web-first workflows.