The Select Case statement enables you to run a series of statements based on the value of a single variable . The Select Case statement identifies the variable to be evaluated and then a series of Case statements specifies the possible values . If the value of the variable matches the value indicated in the Case statement the commands after the Case statement executes. If the value does not match the program proceeds to the next Case statement.

Here is the syntax of the Select Case block.

Select Case Testvalue
        Case value1 :
                Statement 1
        Case value 2 :
                Statement 2
End Select

The first statement is the Select Case statement , this identifies the value to be tested against possible results . This value is represented by the Testvalue argument can be any valid numeric or string expression.

Each condition is started by a Case statement . The Case statement identifies the expression to which the Testvalue is compared. The Case statement can express a single value or a range of values . If the Testvalue argument is equal to or within the range of the expression the commands after the Case statement are run . The program runs the commands between the Case statement and the next Case statement. If the Testvalue is not in the range in the Case statement the next Case statement is evaluated.

Example

Select Case  intAnswer
        Case 1:
                MsgBox"that is the wrong answer"
        Case 2:
                MsgBox"that is the wrong answer"
        Case 3:
                MsgBox"Well done that is the correct answer"
End Select

This is a simple example from a program that displays a message depending on the number the user enters.

here is another example which shows how to check a range , to achieve this you use the To keyword

Select Case intMyAge
            Case 1 To 16
                    Print " Too young to enter"
            Case 17 To 99
                    Print " Entry accepted"
            Case Else
                    Print " Not in range"
End Select

In this example if the number represented by intMyAge is in the range 1 to 16 then the message under the line is executed . Notice the colon (:) is omitted from the Case and also that a Case Else is supplied which deals with values outside the range you are looking for.