Create dictionary of lists in vba

Question

I have worked in Python earlier where it is really smooth to have a dictionary of lists (i.e. one key corresponds to a list of stuff). I am struggling to achieve the same in

Answer 1

Arrays in VBA are more or less like everywhere else with various peculiarities:

• Redimensioning an array is possible (although not required).
• Most of the array properties (e.g., Sheets array in a Workbook) are 1-based. Although, as rightly pointed out by @TimWilliams, the user-defined arrays are actually 0-based. The array below defines a string array with a length of 11 (10 indicates the upper position).

Other than that and the peculiarities regarding notations, you shouldn't find any problem to deal with VBA arrays.

Dim stringArray(10) As String
stringArray(1) = "first val"
stringArray(2) = "second val"
'etc.

Regarding what you are requesting, you can create a dictionary in VBA and include a list on it (or the VBA equivalent: Collection), here you have a sample code:

Set dict = CreateObject("Scripting.Dictionary")
Set coll = New Collection
coll.Add ("coll1")
coll.Add ("coll2")
coll.Add ("coll3")
If Not dict.Exists("dict1") Then
    dict.Add "dict1", coll
End If

Dim curVal As String: curVal = dict("dict1")(3) '-> "coll3"

Set dict = Nothing