Macro VBA to Copy Column based on Header and Paste into another Sheet

Question

Background: This is my first time dealing with macros. I will have two worksheets that I’ll be using. The first sheet, ‘Source’ will have data available. The second sheet, ‘Final’ will be blank and is going to be where the macro will be pasting the data I’d like it to collect from the ‘Source’ sheet.

* I want the macro to find the specified header in the ‘Source’ sheet, copy that cell containing the header all the way down to the last row of existing data (instead of the entire column), and paste it onto the ‘Final’ sheet in a specified column (A, B, C, etc.). *

The reason why I have to specify which headers to find is because the headers in the ‘Source’ sheet won’t always be in the same position, but the ‘Final’ sheet’s headers will always be in the same position – so I CAN’T just record macros copying column A in ‘Source’ sheet and pasting in column A in ‘Final’ sheet. Also, one day the ‘Source’ sheet may have 170 rows of data, and another day it may have 180 rows.

Although, it would probably be best to copy the entire column since one of the columns will have a few empty cells rather than to the last row of existing data. I’m assuming it would stop copying when it reaches the first empty cell in the column chosen which would leave out the remaining data after that empty cell in the column – correct me if I’m wrong. If copying the entire column is the best way, then, please provide that as part of the possible solution. I’ve attached an example of the before & after result I would like accomplished: Example of Result

Find Header=X, copy entire column -> Paste into A1 in ‘Final’ sheet

Find Header=Y, copy entire column -> Paste into B1 in ‘Final’ sheet

Etc..

I’m sorry if my wording isn’t accurate – I tried to explain the best I could. It’d be awesome if someone could help me out on this! Thanks!

Answer 1

I modified an answer I gave to another user with similar problem for your case, I use dictionary function in most of my data sheets so that I can shift columns around without breaking the code, the below code you can shift your columns around and it will still work

the only main restriction is 1. your header names must be unique 2. your header name of interest must be exactly the same. i.e. your source header of interest is PETER then your Data table should have a header with PETER and it must be unique.

Sub RetrieveData()

Dim wb As Workbook
Dim ws_A As Worksheet
Dim ws_B As Worksheet

Dim HeaderRow_A As Long
Dim HeaderLastColumn_A As Long
Dim TableColStart_A As Long
Dim NameList_A As Object
Dim SourceDataStart As Long
Dim SourceLastRow As Long
Dim Source As Variant

Dim i As Long

Dim ws_B_lastCol As Long
Dim NextEntryline As Long
Dim SourceCol_A As Long

Set wb = ActiveWorkbook
Set ws_A = wb.Worksheets("Sheet A")
Set ws_B = wb.Worksheets("Sheet B")
Set NameList_A = CreateObject("Scripting.Dictionary")

With ws_A
    SourceDataStart = 2
    HeaderRow_A = 1  'set the header row in sheet A
    TableColStart_A = 1 'Set start col in sheet A
    HeaderLastColumn_A = .Cells(HeaderRow_A, Columns.Count).End(xlToLeft).Column  'Get number of NAMEs you have

    For i = TableColStart_A To HeaderLastColumn_A
        If Not NameList_A.Exists(UCase(.Cells(HeaderRow_A, i).Value)) Then  'check if the name exists in the dictionary
             NameList_A.Add UCase(.Cells(HeaderRow_A, i).Value), i 'if does not exist record name as KEY and Column number as value in dictionary
        End If
    Next i

End With




With ws_B  'worksheet you want to paste data into
    ws_B_lastCol = .Cells(HeaderRow_A, Columns.Count).End(xlToLeft).Column ' Get number of DATA you have in sheet B
    For i = 1 To ws_B_lastCol   'for each data
        SourceCol_A = NameList_A(UCase(.Cells(1, i).Value))  'get the column where the name is in Sheet A from the dictionaary

        If SourceCol_A <> 0 Then  'if 0 means the name doesnt exists
            SourceLastRow = ws_A.Cells(Rows.Count, SourceCol_A).End(xlUp).Row
            Set Source = ws_A.Range(ws_A.Cells(SourceDataStart, SourceCol_A), ws_A.Cells(SourceLastRow, SourceCol_A))
            NextEntryline = .Cells(Rows.Count, i).End(xlUp).Row + 1 'get the next entry line of the particular name in sheet A

            .Range(.Cells(NextEntryline, i), _
                   .Cells(NextEntryline, i)) _
                   .Resize(Source.Rows.Count, Source.Columns.Count).Cells.Value = Source.Cells.Value
        End If

    Next i
End With


End Sub

Answer 2

u can try with this. i think its clear and step-by-step. it can be very optimized, but to start with vba i think its better this way.

the name of the column must be the same in both sheets.

Sub teste()

Dim val
 searchText = "TEXT TO SEARCH"

 Sheets("sheet1").Select ' origin sheet
 Range("A1").Select
 Range(Selection, Selection.End(xlToRight)).Select
 x = Selection.Columns.Count ' get number of columns

 For i = 1 To x 'iterate trough origin columns
  val = Cells(1, i).Value
    If val = searchText Then
        Cells(1, i).Select
        Range(Selection, Selection.End(xlDown)).Select
        Selection.Copy
        Sheets("sheet2").Select  ' destination sheet
        Range("A1").Select
        Range(Selection, Selection.End(xlToRight)).Select
        y = Selection.Columns.Count ' get number of columns

        For j = 1 To y 'iterate trough destination columns

          If Cells(1, j).Value = searchText Then
            Cells(1, j).Select
            ActiveSheet.Paste
            Exit Sub
          End If

       Next j
    End If
  Next i

End Sub

good luck