There are several ways to utilize VBA macros. For our purposes, we'll presume you've downloaded the ad_PlotLayouts VBA module. First you should download and/or place the file into a folder in AutoCAD's File Support path (such as 'Acad2002\Support').

The simplest method to access and execute the VBA macro is to create a new toolbar button and in it's macro section place a statement to demand load the macro: '-vbarun;ad_PlotLayouts.dvb!ad_PlotLayouts'. Note that this statement includes both the VBA module file and the VBA macro within the file. The statement performs the dual purpose of loading the VBA module into memory and executing the macro within the module.

If the macro is one that you will only use occasionally, you may choose to load and execute it as-needed. To do this, first load the macro into memory with the command 'vbaload'. This presents you with the 'Open VBA Project' dialog:


Locate and Highlight the file by single-clicking it, and click the 'Open' button:


The VBA module is now loaded into memory and may be executed. This is done by issuing the command 'vbarun'. This presents the 'Macros' dialog which lists the currently loaded VBA modules. Highlight the module to be executed and click the 'Run' button:


This will execute the macro.

Another, more unwieldy, method is to add the VBA macro file to the AutoCAD startup suite so that it is automatically loaded each time AutoCAD is started. We don't support this method because it loads modules into memory whether or not they will be used. If you have a particular need to load your modules this way, please let us know, and we'll be happy to provide the necessary steps.