Form Controls and ActiveX Controls are two different types of controls in Excel 2010 that serve different purposes.

Form Controls are pre-built tools within Excel that are recommended for basic tasks. They are simple to use and are compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. Form Controls do not require manual addition to the trust center. However, they have limitations in terms of customization options, automatic resizing, and they do not appear as objects in the VBA editor.

On the other hand, ActiveX Controls offer greater flexibility in design and customization. They can be loaded from separate DLLs and are essential for more advanced scripts. ActiveX Controls can be programmatically accessed in VBA code, appear as objects in the VBA editor, and provide additional control options. However, it is important to note that ActiveX Controls are not supported on Mac and may require manual addition to the trust center.

While ActiveX Controls may be perceived as more reliable, they occasionally yield differing results for the same macro. Therefore, the choice between Form Controls and ActiveX Controls depends on the complexity and customization requirements of the task at hand.

Form Controls

Form Controls in Excel 2010 are built-in controls that are simpler to use and recommended for basic tasks, but they are not customizable and do not require manual addition to the trust center, unlike ActiveX Controls.

These controls are pre-designed and offer limited functionality compared to ActiveX Controls. They do not automatically resize and do not show up as objects in the VBA editor.

Form controls work on both Windows and Mac operating systems. They are suitable for simple tasks like data entry, making selections from a list, or inserting buttons for basic macros.

However, they lack the flexibility and advanced customization options provided by ActiveX Controls, making them less suitable for complex tasks or advanced scripts.

ActiveX Controls

ActiveX Controls provide more flexibility in design and customization, allowing for the addition of extra controls and access programmatically in VBA code. Unlike Form Controls, ActiveX Controls are loaded from separate DLLs and offer a wider range of customization options.

They can be accessed as objects in the VBA editor, making it easier to work with them in the development process. However, ActiveX Controls are not supported on Mac computers and require manual addition to the trust center for some users’ computers. They can also misbehave and automatically resize, which can be a drawback.

Despite these limitations, ActiveX Controls are considered more reliable by some users and offer better possibilities for more advanced scripts compared to Form Controls.

Differences and Usage

One type of control in Excel 2010 offers more flexibility in design and customization, while the other type is simpler to use and recommended for basic tasks.

ActiveX Controls, which are loaded from separate DLLs, provide extra controls and are necessary for more advanced scripts. They can be accessed programmatically in VBA code and offer more customization options. ActiveX Controls show up as objects in the VBA editor and are only available on Windows. They are considered more reliable by some users but can misbehave and automatically resize.

On the other hand, Form Controls are built-in to Excel and are simpler to use. They are not customizable, do not require manual addition to the trust center, and do not automatically resize. Form Controls work on both Windows and Mac and do not show up as objects in the VBA editor.