Timer works but can't view another workbook

[Rick93636]

Hello-

I have code to run a timer to make cells blink and make beep sound if certain range values are met. It works great. But, if I open another workbook it goes to the background when the timer runs. So I can't view another workbook when the timer is running. If I turn the timer off then I can view other workbooks like normal.

I suspect my code is making my main workbook active and selects it when the timer runs. Any suggestions? Here's the code:

Option Explicit


Public NextBlink As Double


'The cell that you want to blink
Public Const xBlinkCell As String = "FOC_Main!A3,A5,A7,A9,A11,A13,A15"
Public Const yBlinkCell As String = "FOC_Main!A4,A6,A8,A10,A12,A14"
Public Const BlinkCell As String = "FOC_Main!A3:A15"


'Start blinking
Sub StartBlinking()


    If Range("FOC_Main!B37").Value = 1 Then
        BeepNow
        'If Range(BlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 3 Then
            'Range(BlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 6
                'Else
                    'Range(BlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 3
        'End If
        If Range(xBlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 6 Then
            Range(xBlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 3
                Else
                    Range(xBlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 6
        End If
        If Range(yBlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 3 Then
            Range(yBlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 6
                Else
                    Range(yBlinkCell).Interior.ColorIndex = 3
        End If
    
    End If
    
    If Range("FOC_Main!B37").Value = 0 Then
        Range("FOC_Main!A3:A15").Interior.ColorIndex = 16
    End If
        
    'Wait 2 seconds before changing the color again
    NextBlink = Now + TimeSerial(0, 0, 2)
    Application.OnTime NextBlink, "StartBlinking", , True
End Sub


'Stop blinking
Sub StopBlinking()


    'Set color to gray
    Range("FOC_Main!A3:A15").Interior.ColorIndex = 16
    On Error Resume Next
    Application.OnTime NextBlink, "StartBlinking", , False


    Err.Clear
    
End Sub


Function BeepNow()


    If Range("FOC_Main!D39").Value > 1 And Range("FOC_Main!D39").Value < 5 _
       Or Range("FOC_Main!D39").Value > 31 And Range("FOC_Main!D39").Value < 39 Then


        beep


    End If
    
    Exit Function


End Function

 

[Haluk]

I didn't try your code but can you add the following line (in red color) to your code;

Sub StartBlinking()
   [COLOR=#ff0000][B] DoEvents[/B][/COLOR]
    'Rest of your code ...
    '.....

 

[Rick93636]

Thanks for the suggestion, Haluk.
DoEvents had no effect. It appears that if a timer is running then the workbook & worksheet that the timer macro refers to must be active.
If I need to view another workbook I'll just hit the Windows button & type EXC enter to open a separate Excel session.

Thanks again,

Rick