Using the same variable for different data types

Question

I would like to use different data types with same variable and do some computation. For example, I am using the variable "option" in,

If option = 1 then
   Do this
Elseif option = "X" then
   Do this
Elseif option = 6 then
   Do this
Endif

Is there any way i can get this working ?

Answer 1

You can use a variant to allow for different data types inside of one variable. The below code works.

Public Sub TestVariant()
  Dim x As Variant

  x = 17

  If x = 1 Then
    ' Do this
  ElseIf x = "bob" Then
    ' Do this
  ElseIf x = 17 Then
    ' This is done
  End If
End Sub

Off the top of my head, this smells a bit though. It would be better to have the variable be strictly defined. If you are dealing with numbers that could also be strings, you can always just make the numbers into strings. For example:

Public Sub TestVariant()
  Dim x As string

  x = "1"

  If x = "1" Then
    ' Do this
  ElseIf x = "bob" Then
    ' Do this
  ElseIf x = "17" Then
    ' This is done
  End If
End Sub

Edit: Another example which compiles and works as expected in Excel.

Public Function TestVariant(theOption As Variant)
  If theOption < 0 Then
    TestVariant = "Negative"
  ElseIf theOption = 6 Then
    TestVariant = "Six"
  ElseIf theOption = "Stuff" Then
    TestVariant = "Other Stuff"
  Else
    TestVariant = theOption
  End If
End Function

Answer 2

If you declare option as Variant you should be good to go.