5 Ways to Copy Range in Excel VBA to Another Sheet

Excel VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a powerful tool for automating tasks and manipulating data within Excel. Copying a range from one sheet to another is a common operation, and there are several ways to achieve this efficiently. Below, we explore five distinct methods to copy a range in Excel VBA to another sheet, each with its own advantages and use cases.

Method 1: Using the Copy and Paste Methods

The most straightforward approach is to use the Copy and Paste methods. This mimics the manual copy-paste action in Excel.

Sub CopyRangeMethod1()
    Dim wsSource As Worksheet, wsTarget As Worksheet
    Set wsSource = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    Set wsTarget = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet2")
    
    wsSource.Range("A1:B10").Copy Destination:=wsTarget.Range("A1")
End Sub

Method 2: Using the Value Property

For faster performance, especially with large ranges, directly transferring values using the Value property is more efficient.

Sub CopyRangeMethod2()
    Dim wsSource As Worksheet, wsTarget As Worksheet
    Set wsSource = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    Set wsTarget = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet2")
    
    wsTarget.Range("A1").Resize(wsSource.Range("A1:B10").Rows.Count, wsSource.Range("A1:B10").Columns.Count).Value = _
        wsSource.Range("A1:B10").Value
End Sub

Method 3: Using the Copy Method with PasteSpecial

If you need to copy specific attributes (e.g., formulas, formatting, or values), PasteSpecial provides granular control.

Sub CopyRangeMethod3()
    Dim wsSource As Worksheet, wsTarget As Worksheet
    Set wsSource = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    Set wsTarget = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet2")
    
    wsSource.Range("A1:B10").Copy
    wsTarget.Range("A1").PasteSpecial Paste:=xlPasteValues
    Application.CutCopyMode = False ' Clear clipboard
End Sub

Method 4: Using the Range.Value2 Property

Value2 is a variant of the Value property that handles array data more efficiently and avoids issues with mixed data types.

Sub CopyRangeMethod4()
    Dim wsSource As Worksheet, wsTarget As Worksheet
    Set wsSource = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    Set wsTarget = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet2")
    
    wsTarget.Range("A1").Resize(wsSource.Range("A1:B10").Rows.Count, wsSource.Range("A1:B10").Columns.Count).Value2 = _
        wsSource.Range("A1:B10").Value2
End Sub

Method 5: Using Range.EntireRow or Range.EntireColumn

If you need to copy entire rows or columns, this method simplifies the process.

Sub CopyRangeMethod5()
    Dim wsSource As Worksheet, wsTarget As Worksheet
    Set wsSource = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1")
    Set wsTarget = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet2")
    
    wsSource.Range("1:2").EntireRow.Copy Destination:=wsTarget.Range("1:1")
End Sub

Comparative Analysis

Practical Application Guide

1. Small Datasets: Use Copy and Paste for simplicity.
   
2. Large Datasets: Opt for Value or Value2 for speed.
   
3. Selective Copying: Use PasteSpecial for control over what is copied.
   
4. Full Rows/Columns: Use EntireRow or EntireColumn for convenience.
   

By mastering these methods, you can efficiently copy ranges in Excel VBA, tailoring your approach to the specific needs of your task. Whether you prioritize speed, flexibility, or simplicity, there’s a method here for you.