ERROR 1004 when trying to use FormulaArray. Replace trick does not work

Question

BACKGROUND: I got a cool Array Formula and it works perfect in Excel. Now I\'m trying to do the same formula, but with VBA. So I typed the Array Formula in

Answer 1

This is a little time consuming due to forced recalculation of a moved object but it seems to work well.

Problem: external workbook references are pushing array formula over the character limit.

Solution: a) move the external worksheet to the local workbook b) complete the array formula insertion c) move the local worksheet back to the external workbook and let Excel figure it out.

Sub arrayFormulaTooBig()
    Dim ha2ndx As Long, wbha As Workbook, wbf As Workbook
    Dim sel As Range

    Set sel = Selection

    Set wbha = Workbooks("HOGARES ALBACETE.xlsx")
    Set wbf = sel.parent.parent

    'Application.Calculation = xlCalculationmanual
    'Application.ScreenUpdating = False

    'move the external worksheet to local and reduce worksheet name to minimum characters
    With wbha
        If .Worksheets.Count = 1 Then
            .Worksheets.Add after:=.Worksheets(.Worksheets.Count)
            .Worksheets(.Worksheets.Count).Name = "to be removed"
        End If
        With .Worksheets("21076")
            ha2ndx = .Index
            .Move after:=wbf.Worksheets(wbf.Worksheets.Count)
        End With
    End With

    'minimize worksheet name
    wbf.Worksheets("21076").Name = ChrW(215)

    'from 282 characters
    'Selection.FormulaArray = _
        "=INDEX('[HOGARES ALBACETE.xlsx]21076'!C1,MATCH(MAX(IF(RIGHT('[HOGARES ALBACETE.xlsx]21076'!C1,LEN(R[-1]C)+2)=""["" &R[-1]C&""]"",'[HOGARES ALBACETE.xlsx]21076'!C2)),IF(RIGHT('[HOGARES ALBACETE.xlsx]21076'!C1,LEN(R[-1]C)+2)=""[""&R[-1]C&""]"",'[HOGARES ALBACETE.xlsx]21076'!C2),0),1)"
    'to 137 characters
    sel.FormulaArray = _
        "=INDEX(×!C1,MATCH(MAX(IF(RIGHT(×!C1,LEN(R[-1]C)+2)=""["" &R[-1]C&""]"",×!C2)),IF(RIGHT(×!C1,LEN(R[-1]C)+2)=""[""&R[-1]C&""]"",×!C2),0),1)"

    With wbf
        With .Worksheets(ChrW(215))
            .Move before:=wbha.Worksheets(ha2ndx)
        End With
    End With

    'restore worksheet name
    wbha.Worksheets(ChrW(215)).Name = "21076"

    On Error Resume Next
    Application.DisplayAlerts = False
    wbha.Worksheets("to be removed").Delete
    Application.DisplayAlerts = True
    On Error GoTo 0

    Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True

End Sub

Answer 2

I'd bet your Excel is not set to use R1C1 referencing, so the replace won't work as you're trying to put an R1C1 referenced string into an A1 style formula. Try using:

Application.ReferenceStyle = xlR1C1
With ActiveSheet.Range("F2")
        .FormulaArray = theFormulaPart1
        .Replace MiReemplazo, theFormulaPart2
    End With
Application.ReferenceStyle = xlA1