Starts a FOR-NEXT loop. The instructions between FOR and NEXT are repeated until the loop counter reaches a specified value. Use FOR when you need to repeat instructions a specified number of times. Use FOR.CELL when you need to repeat instructions over a range of cells.
Syntax
FOR(counter_text, start_num, end_num, step_num)
Counter_text is the name of the loop counter in the form of text.
Start_num is the value initially assigned to counter_text.
End_num is the last value assigned to counter_text.
Step_num is a value added to the loop counter after each iteration. If step_num is omitted, it is assumed to be 1.
Remarks
Microsoft Excel follows these steps as it executes a FOR-NEXT loop:
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Sets counter_text to the value start_num. |
| 2 | If counter_text is greater than end_num (or less than end_num if step_num is negative), the loop ends, and the macro continues with the function after the NEXT function. If counter_text is less than or equal to end_num (or greater than or equal to end_num if step_num is negative), the macro continues in the loop. |
| 3 | Carries out functions up to the following NEXT function. The NEXT function must be below the FOR function and in the same column. |
| 4 | Adds step_num to the loop counter. |
| 5 | Returns to the FOR function and proceeds as described in step 2. |
You can interrupt a FOR-NEXT loop by using the BREAK function.
Example
The following macro starts a FOR-NEXT loop that is executed once for every open window:
FOR("Counter", 1, COLUMNS(WINDOWS()))
Related Functions
BREAK Interrupts a FOR-NEXT, FOR.CELL-NEXT, or WHILE-NEXT loop
FOR.CELL Starts a FOR.CELL-NEXT loop
NEXT Ends a FOR-NEXT, FOR.CELL-NEXT, or WHILE-NEXT loop
WHILE Starts a WHILE-NEXT loop
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