Worksheet form vs. Userform...which is better?

[Webtechie]

I am using Excel XP as a UI for SQL Server 2005 Express.

I will be executing stored procedures
I will read data into Excel from SQL Server
I will have charts, list boxes and several buttons.

Question:

Is there an advantage to using Userforms for this or just placing the tools
on a worksheet and making a pretty form?

The VBA code behind should be the same?

I am leaning toward to just placing the tools on a worksheet and changing
the color and place in a logo.

Thanks.

 

[FSt1]

hi.
unless you are going to do a lot of data input, you may find that your
controls work just as well from the sheet. might be less work and setup. for
me, forms are for input and there is no need to create a form just to hold
command buttons.(although i have done that.)
this is an opinionated subject. others might disagree based on their
preferences.
i might suggest that if you do put your controls on the sheet, use activeX
controls from the tool box , not form controls.

my thoughts
FSt1

 

[Joel]

I think the answer depends on how many forms you plan to have in the
worksheet and how many cells are on the form. The disadvantage of putting a
control on a worksheet form is the location of the control is fixed, and
doesn't move when you scroll around the sheet or when you change sheets. I
prefer to put controls either on a userform or put my controls in the tool
bars when I either have a large worksheet or when I want to use the controls

 

[Webtechie]

FSt1,

Thanks for your opinion.

I know to put ActiveX tools.

I would have one worksheet which I would present to the user as a main page.
It will have about four buttons.

One button to read some data.
One button to parse a text file.
One button to review some charts.
One button to input some data.

I will either have each button go to a range on the worksheet (formatted
with listbox, charts and/or input boxes) or just bring up a userform.

Again, thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Webtechie]

Joel,

Thanks for your thoughts.

See my response to FSt1.

I can either have several ranges formatted with the ActiveX tools to perform
one of the four features or bring up a userform.

So the main sheet would just be like a main page with buttons. So I guess
one main page with four other sheets and/or ranges would be about it.

I could also do the main sheet with the userforms instead.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[Harald Staff]

One more thing to consider: A user can not mess up a userform at rutime,
whereas on a worksheet she's able to select, move and delete controls. So
extra effort is needed to prevent this from happening.

Best wishes Harald