VBA to Export Properties to Excel

 Excel is a powerful program and I often find myself using it in conjunction with other software programs. As a CAD engineer, I am often making parts lists in Micosoft Excel based upon 3D data files in CAD software, such as CATIA V5. Lucky for me CATIA has its own catscript VBA editor which allows you to write macros which can automatically export data from Catia to Excel, a huge timesaver! 

I recently created an example where I take several key properties from a 3D CAD model part including the mass, thickness, material, and part number and export them into a nice little spreadsheet. I can then format the spreadsheet from within my Catia macro. Every little thing I can do to cut back on those extra mouse clicks (call me lazy I guess). 

This code can also help you to learn how to program in visual basic which is very helpful in automating repetitive tasks. Here is a small sample:

'to excel
Dim Excel As Object
Dim workbooks As workbooks
Dim workbook As workbook
Dim Sheets As Object
Dim Sheet As Object
Dim worksheet As Excel.worksheet
Dim myworkbook As Excel.workbook
Dim myworksheet As Excel.worksheet

On Error Resume Next
Set Excel = GetObject(, "EXCEL.Application")
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
Err.Clear
Set Excel = CreateObject("EXCEL.Application")
Else
Err.Clear
MsgBox "Please note you have to close Excel", vbCritical
Exit Sub
End If
Excel.Visible = True

'load a sheet
Set workbooks = Excel.Application.workbooks
Set myworkbook = Excel.workbooks.Add
Set myworksheet = Excel.ActiveWorkbook.Add
Set myworksheet = Excel.Sheets.Add

'download the properties
'row one
Excel.Cells(1,1)="Part Number"
Excel.Cells(1,2)="Thickness"
Excel.Cells(1,3)="Material"
Excel.Cells(1,4)="Mass"  

Download the full code here. You can also import Excel files into programs such as CATIA but that is a post for another day!

 CATIA V5 to Excel Properties Exporter Macro.catscript download