How Do I Resolve Run-Time Error With GetValue Function in Excel VBA? - vba

Question

I am trying to write a macro that copies data from multiple external workbooks to a single workbook in a certain order. I do not intend to have each workbook be open for my macro to work, as that would be an outrageous number of open spreadsheets, so I did a Google search and came across this nifty function, the GetValue function:
http://spreadsheetpage.com/index.php/tip/a_vba_function_to_get_a_value_from_a_closed_file/
Just to set myself up for the rest of the code, I made a code that is supposed to simply take a single piece of data from a cell of an external workbook, and put it in a single cell of the workbook and sheet I'm currently in. In the current worksheet, I stuck the file paths of the workbooks I want access into the B column, and the file names in the A column, since there are so many and I want to be able to access each in a single code. Here is that code:
Sub Gather_Data()
Dim p As String
Dim f As String
Dim s As String
Dim a As String
p = Range("B7").Value
f = Range("A7").Value
s = Sheet5
a = D7
Cells(10, 10).Value = GetValue(p, f, s, a).Value
End Sub
Private Function GetValue(path, file, sheet, ref)
' Retrieves a value from a closed workbook
Dim arg As String
' Make sure the file exists
If Right(path, 1) <> "\" Then path = path & "\"
If Dir(path & file) = "" Then
GetValue = "File Not Found"
Exit Function
End If
' Create the argument
arg = "'" & path & "[" & file & "]" & sheet & "'!" & _
Range(ref).Range("A1").Address(, , xlR1C1)
' Execute an XLM macro
GetValue = ExecuteExcel4Macro(arg)
End Function
I don't see anything wrong with the code, but whenever I try to run it I get a run-time error that states, "Method 'Range' of object '_Global' failed". I honestly have no idea what that means and running the debugger highlights the
arg = "'" & path & "[" & file & "]" & sheet & "'!" & _
Range(ref).Range("A1").Address(, , xlR1C1)
area, which I didn't even write. If anyone has experience using this function or knows how to resolve this error, your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Your variables are declared as String, so try changing your code from this:
s = Sheet5
a = D7
To this:
s = "Sheet5"
a = "D7"