Subscript out of range vba excel ошибка

Sometimes when we write and attempt to run sub-procedures in Excel VBA, Excel VBA returns a message box with the error message “Runtime error 9: Subscript out of range.” 

The “Subscript out of range” error happens when we reference a non-existent collection member or a non-existent array element.

By the error, Excel VBA is telling us, “I have not found what you are looking for.”

This tutorial gives examples of specific causes of this error and how to fix it.

Before fixing the “Subscript out of range” error, you must identify its cause.

When you press the Debug button on the error message box, Excel VBA takes you to the statement that caused the error. By examining the line of code, you should be able to tell what caused the error. We outline some of the causes and solutions below. 

Cause #1: Referencing a Non-Existent Item in a Collection

We can only access members of collections within their delimited ranges.

Therefore, attempting to access a collection member outside the defined scope will cause the “Subscription out of range” runtime error. 

Suppose we have only Sheet1 and Sheet2 in our active workbook. 

If we write the following sub-procedure and press F5 to run it:

We get the “Subscript out of range” error:

The error occurs because the Sheet3 object is not present in the Sheets collection, which consists of all the worksheets and chart sheets in the active workbook.

Therefore the code is referencing a non-existent entity in the Sheets collection.

How to Fix It

You can fix this error in any of the following ways:

• Create the non-existent object; in this case, add Sheet3 to the workbook.
• Check the spelling of the name of the collection member you want to access and ensure it is correct.
• In the Excel VBA code, refer to an object present in the collection; in this case, you can refer to either Sheet1 or Sheet2. 
• Use the For Each…Next loop instead of referencing specific collection members. The loop allows us to loop through collection members and repeat particular actions, such as unhiding worksheets.

Also read: Not Enough Memory to Complete This Action in Excel – How to Fix?

Cause #2: Attempting to Access a Closed Workbook

If you try to access a closed workbook, you get the “Subscript out of range” error.

For example, if we have a closed workbook called “Employees” on our computer, running the following sub-procedure will generate the “Subscript out of range” error.

This error is generated because a closed workbook is not part of the collection of workbooks.

All the open workbooks on your computer make up the workbooks collection. 

How to Fix It

You can use any of the following methods to fix the error. 

• Open the workbook you want to access, then run the sub-procedure.
• Use the For Each…Next loop to check whether the workbook you wish to access is open. The loop goes through all the available workbooks and matches the name of the workbook you want to access against each open workbook. If a match is found, the workbook is open otherwise; the workbook is closed.

Cause #3: Referencing a Non-existent Array Element 

If you reference a non-existent array element in your code, VBA displays the “Subscript out of range” to indicate something wrong with the code.

For example, the following code refers to an array element 11, which is not in the array declaration. 

When we attempt to run the code, we get the “Subscript out of range” error.

How to Fix It

You can use any of the following techniques to solve the problem:

• Verify the upper and lower bounds of the array in the array declaration. If the dimensions are different from what you intended, adjust them accordingly.
• Ensure that you only refer to the array elements in the array declaration.
• Use LBound and UBound functions to direct the access of redimensioned arrays. The LBound function returns the lower boundary of the array, which can be either 0 or 1. The UBound function returns the upper limit of the array, which is equivalent to the number of items in the array. 
• If the array dimensions are declared variables, ensure the variable names are spelled correctly. 

Cause #4: Not Specifying the Number of Elements in an Array

If you declare an array but do not specify the number of elements in the array and attempt to access an element in the array,  VBA returns the “Subscript out of range” error.

For example, the following code results in the error:

How to Fix It

• Explicitly specify the number of elements in the array in the array declaration. 

Cause #5: Misspelling the name of a Workbook

If you misspell the name of the workbook you want to access, Excel VBA will return the “Subscript is out of range error.”

For example, if you want to activate a workbook named “Employees.xlsx,” the following code will not activate the workbook but return an error:

Although the workbook is open, the sub-procedure does not activate it because its name needs to be corrected.

How to Fix It

• Check the spelling of the workbook’s name in the sub-procedure and ensure it is correct. 

Cause #6: Specifying an Invalid Element

Sometimes when you use the shorthand form of a subscript, you may mistakenly specify an invalid element. 

For example, the shorthand for ActiveSheet.Range(“C3”) is [C3]. If this shorthand form of the subscript refers to an invalid element, you will get the “Subscript is out of range error.”

How to Fix It

Use a valid index or name for the collection. 

This tutorial has given reasons and solutions for the “Subscript out of range” error.  This error happens when we reference a non-existent collection member or a non-existent array element.

Examples of specific causes include 

• Referencing a worksheet or workbook not present in the collection. 
• Misspelling object names in the code.
• Referencing a non-existent array element. 
• Not specifying the number of elements in the array.
• Attempting to access a closed workbook.
• Specifying an invalid element. 

The solutions to the error include using the For Each…Next construct, instead of referencing specific items in the code and specifying the elements in an array. 

We hope you found the tutorial helpful.

Other articles you may also like:

• Using Application.GetSaveAsFilename in VBA in Excel
• Using Application.EnableEvents in VBA in Excel
• SetFocus in Excel VBA – How to Use it?
• How to Open Excel Files Using VBA
• #NAME? Error in Excel – How to Fix!
• #NUM! Error in Excel – How to Fix it?
• SPILL Error in Excel – How to Fix?

Home > VBA > VBA Subscript Out of Range Runtime Error (Error 9)

Subscript Out of Range Error (Run Time: Error 9) occurs when you refer to an object or try to use a variable in a code that doesn’t exist in the code, in that case, VBA will show this error. As every code that you write is unique, so the cause of the error would be.

In the following example, you have tried to activate the “Sheet1” which is an object. But as you can see in the workbook no worksheet exists with the name “Sheet1” (instead you have “Sheet2”) so VBA show “Subscript Out of Range” to notify you that there’s something wrong with the code.

Subscript Out of Range

There could be one more situation when you have to face the error “Subscript Out of Range Error” when you are trying to declare a dynamic array but forget to use the DIM and ReDim statement to redefine the length of the array.

Now in the above code, you have an array with the name “myArray” and to make it dynamic we have initially left the array length blank. But before you add an item you need to redefine the array length using the ReDim statement.

And that’s the mistake we have made in the above code and VBA has returned the “Script Out of Range” error.

Sub myMacro()
Dim myArray() As Variant
myArray(1) = "One"
End Sub

How Do I Fix Subscript Out of Range in Excel?

The best way to deal with this Subscript Out of Range is to write effective codes and make sure to debug the code that you have written (Step by Step).

When you run a code step by step it is easy for you to know on which line of that code you have an error as VBA will show you the error message for Error 9 and highlight that line with yellow color.

The other thing that you can do is to use an “Error Handler” to jump to a specific line of error when it happens.

In the following code, we have written a line to activate the sheet but before that, we have used the goto statement to move to the error handler. In the error handler, you have a message box that shows you a message with the Err. Description that an error has occurred.

So, when you run this code and the “Sheet1” is not in the workbook where you are trying to activate it. It will show you a message box just like below.

And if the “Sheet1” is there then there won’t be any message at all.

Sub myMacro()

Dim wks As Worksheet

On Error GoTo myError
Sheets("Sheet1").Activate

myError:
MsgBox "There's an error in the code: " & Err.Description & _
". That means there's some problem with the sheet " & _
"that you want to activate"

End Sub

What is VBA

• VBA ERROR Handling
• VBA Automation Error (Error 440)
• VBA Error 400
• VBA Invalid Procedure Call Or Argument Error (Error 5)
• VBA Object Doesn’t Support this Property or Method Error (Error 438)
• VBA Object Required Error (Error 424)

• VBA Out of Memory Error (Error 7)
• VBA Overflow Error (Error 6)
• VBA Runtime Error (Error 1004)
• VBA Type Mismatch Error (Error 13)

Many users have reported encountering the error “Subscript out of range” (runtime error 9) when using VBA code in Excel. The error often occurs when the object you are referring to in a code is not available, deleted, or not defined earlier. Sometimes, it occurs if you have declared an array in code but forgot to specify the DIM or ReDIM statement to define the length of array.

Causes of VBA Runtime Error 9: Subscript Out Of Range

The error ‘Subscript out of range’ in Excel can occur due to several reasons, such as:

• Object you are trying to use in the VBA code is not defined earlier or is deleted.
• Entered a wrong declaration syntax of the array.
• Wrong spelling of the variable name.
• Referenced a wrong array element.
• Entered incorrect name of the worksheet you are trying to refer.
• Worksheet you trying to call in the code is not available.
• Specified an invalid element.
• Not specified the number of elements in an array.
• Workbook in which you trying to use VBA is corrupted.

Methods to Fix Excel VBA Error ‘Subscript out of Range’

Following are some workarounds you can try to fix the runtime error 9 in Excel.

Method 1: Check the Name of Worksheet in the Code

Sometimes, Excel throws the runtime error 9: Subscript out of range if the name of the worksheet is not defined correctly in the code. For example – When trying to copy content from one Excel sheet (emp) to another sheet (emp2) via VBA code, you have mistakenly mentioned wrong name of the worksheet (see the below code).

Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
Worksheets("emp").Range("A1:E5").Select
Selection.Copy
Worksheets("emp3").Activate
Worksheets("emp3").Range("A1:E5").Select
ActiveSheet.Paste
Application.CutCopyMode = False
End Sub

When you run the above code, the Excel will throw the Subscript out of range error.

So, check the name of the worksheet and correct it. Here are the steps:

• Go to the Design tab in the Developer section.
• Double-click on the Command button.
• Check and modify the worksheet name (e.g. from “emp” to “emp2”).

• Now run the code.
• The content in ‘emp’ worksheet will be copied to ‘emp2’ (see below).

Method 2: Check the Range of the Array

The VBA error “Subscript out of range” also occurs if you have declared an array in a code but didn’t specify the number of elements. For example – If you have declared an array and forgot to declare the array variable with elements, you will get the error (see below):

To fix this, specify the array variable:

Sub FillArray()
Dim curExpense(364) As Currency
Dim intI As Integer
For intI = 0 to 364
curExpense(intI) = 20
Next
End Sub

Method 3: Change Macro Security Settings

The Runtime error 9: Subscript out of range can also occur if there is an issue with the macros or macros are disabled in the Macro Security Settings. In such a case, you can check and change the macro settings. Follow these steps:

• Open your Microsoft Excel.
• Navigate to File > Options > Trust Center.
• Under Trust Center, select Trust Center Settings.
• Click Macro Settings, select Enable all macros, and then click OK.

Method 4: Repair your Excel File

The name or format of the Excel file or name of the objects may get changed due to corruption in the file. When the objects are not identified in a VBA code, you may encounter the Subscript out of range error. You can use the Open and Repair utility in Excel to repair the corrupted file. To use this utility, follow these steps:

• In your MS Excel, click File > Open.
• Browse to the location where the affected file is stored.
• In the Open dialog box, select the corrupted workbook.
• In the Open dropdown, click on Open and Repair.
• You will see a prompt asking you to repair the file or extract data from it.
• Click on the Repair option to extract the data as much as possible. If Repair button fails, then click Extract button to recover data without formulas and values.

If the “Open and Repair” utility fails to repair the corrupted/damaged macro-enabled Excel file, then try an advanced Excel repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Excel. It can easily repair severely corrupted Excel workbook and recover all the items, including macros, cell comments, table, charts, etc. with 100% integrity. The tool is compatible with all versions of Microsoft Excel.

Conclusion

You may experience the “Subscript out of range” error while using VBA in Excel. You can follow the workarounds discussed in this blog to fix the error. If the Excel file is corrupt, then you can use Stellar Repair for Excel to repair the file. It’s a powerful software that can help fix all the issues that occur due to corruption in the Excel file. It helps to recover all the data from the corrupt Excel files (.xls, .xlsx, .xltm, .xltx, and .xlsm) without changing the original formatting. The tool supports Excel 2021, 2019, 2016, and older versions.

In Microsoft Excel, run-time errors generally occur when the files are missing. Such runtime errors are the most varied & complex to fix. However, one such error that users are recently experiencing and reporting is “Run-time error ‘9’: Subscript out of range” when running VBA code in MS Excel. Thus, if you are facing the same error message, read this post till the end. Here, you will learn the common reasons behind the occurrence of this error and how to fix runtime error 9 subscript out of range in Excel successfully.

So, let’s get started…

Quick Fixes:

1. Check the Range of the Array
2. Verify the Worksheet Name in the VBA Code
3. Change the Security Settings of Macro
4. Repair the MS Excel File
5. Best Software to Fix Corrupted Excel Document

The “VBA Error Subscript Out of Range 9” typically occurs when you try to access an array or a collection using an index that does not exist or is outside the valid range.

Here is how the error message looks like:

Though this run-time error commonly occurs when working with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) code in the Excel.

Common Reasons for Excel VBA Runtime Error 9: Subscript Out of Range

There are a wide variety of reasons that can lead to this run-time error message in Excel. Below I have listed the most common factors that can occur cause this annoying error:

1. Entered an incorrect statement syntax of an array.
2. The entry or object that you’re trying to use in the VBA code is either deleted or not defined earlier.
3. If variable name spelling is incorrect then you can receive this error.
4. Referenced an inappropriate array element.
5. The Excel workbook is corrupted in which you are trying to use the VBA.
6. An unspecified number of elements in the array.
7. Specified an unacceptable element.

How to Fix Runtime Error 9 Subscript Out of Range in Excel?

Now, let’s follow the below troubleshooting fixes to solve run-time error 9 subscript out of range Excel 2013/2016/2019.

Solution 1- Check the Range of the Array

As already mentioned in the causes section, the unspecified number of elements in the array of the code can trigger this VBA runtime error.

For example – Suppose you’ve stated an array & forgot to state the array variable along with the elements, you can see the below-shown error:

However, in order to resolve this, you have to specify an array variable like this:

Also Read: Fix VBA Error 400 Running An Excel Macro?

Solution 2- Verify the Worksheet Name in the VBA Code

Another method that you should try is to check if the worksheet name isn’t defined properly in the VBA code.

For example– When you try to copy the content from one MS Excel document to another Excel document by VBA code, and you have mentioned an incorrect worksheet name then you can get the below error:

Now, when you try to run the code mentioned above, the MS Excel will show the “VBA runtime error 9”.

If you want to check the worksheet name and correct it, follow the below steps:

Step 1- First, you must click the Design tab under Developer section.

Step 2- Then, double-tap on a Command button.

Step 3- After this, check & modify the Excel worksheet name (for example from the “emp” to “emp2”).

Step 4- At this time, run the code.

Step 5- The data in the ‘emp’ sheet will be copied to the ‘emp2’.

Solution 3- Change the Security Settings of Macro

Most of the time, this runtime error 9 subscript out of range also occurs in Excel if the macros are restricted in Macro Security Settings. However, in that case, you need to check & change macro settings immediately.

Follow these steps:

Step 1- Open your MS Excel.

Step 2- Go to the File then click on Options and then click Trust Center.

Step 3- In the Trust Center, you have to choose the Trust Center Settings.

Step 4- Here, click on the Macro Settings, choose the Enable all macros >> click on OK.

If this method won’t work for you, try the next one.

Also Read: Fix Excel Runtime Error 13 Type Mismatch

Solution 4- Repair the MS Excel File to Fix Runtime Error 9 Subscript Out of Range

Sometimes, the name of the objects might get transformed due to file corruption. When the objects aren’t recognized in the VBA code, you may receive this runtime error.

In such a situation, you can go for an inbuilt Excel utility known as Open and Repair. It will eventually help you to fix your corrupted Excel file.

Here’s how you can use this tool:

• In your Excel, you have to click on the File > Open.
• After this, browse to find the affected file.
• Under Open dialog-box, choose a corrupted workbook.
• Under Open dropdown, you have to click on the Open and Repair

• Now, you’ll get a prompt enquiring you in order to repair a file or extract data.
• Finally, click on Repair option in order to extract data. If the Repair option fails, then you can click on Extract Data. This will recover the data without values & formulas.

Best Software to Fix Corrupted Excel Document

If the “Open & Repair” utility and other manual methods fail to fix Excel VBA runtime error 9: subscript out of range error, it might be possible that your Excel file got corrupted. In such a case, you are suggested to go with the MS Excel Repair Tool.

It is one of the best & most recommended feature-loaded utilities that can fix any type of problem, corruption, or error in the Excel files (.xls, .xltm, .xlsx, .xltx, & .xlsm).

Apart from that, you can restore all the objects of your corrupt Excel files such as charts, formulas, cell comments, pivot tables, etc.

So, just must download, install & try this software to repair your corrupt Excel file and deal with the Excel error that you are facing.

* Free version of the product only previews recoverable data.

Here are the steps to use this tool:

Bottom Line:

So, this is all about how to fix runtime error 9 subscript out of range in Excel.

All you need to do is to follow the solutions mentioned above in this post to deal with this run-time error. 

Besides, it is suggested to handle your Excel document properly & create a valid backup of the data saved within it to avoid data loss situations.

Good Luck!!!