How to use the Microsoft Slider Control to implement a range filter input feature in Microsoft Excel
Almost every Excel workbook needs some way of user interaction (maybe except for the Excel models serving solely as the reporting front-end of a database). The users changes parameters, sets filters, triggers actions and so forth.
The most common way of user interaction in Excel is directly typing in values in a cell. Form controls like scrollbars, spin buttons, radio buttons, combo boxes, etc. are the next step of more convenient interactivity. ActiveX controls provide more flexibility than form controls, but they come with there own disadvantages and usually form controls are the way to go.
However, there is one use case that cannot be covered with a standard Excel form control: selecting a range. Frequently required, especially for filtering data, e.g. a reporting period or products within a certain price range, etc.
Sure, you can define 2 input cells, 2 spin buttons or 2 scrollbars to let the user select a range.Though, there is no standard Excel form control to select a range within one single control.
However, Microsoft provides a less known ActiveX control to select a range. Today’s article describes a how-to tutorial on using the Microsoft Slider Control in Microsoft Excel workbooks. As always, including the Excel workbook for free download.