How to: Move Data Into and Out of a Variable (Visual Basic)

You store a value in a variable by putting the variable name on the left side of an assignment statement.

Putting Data in a Variable

To store a value in a variable

  • Use the variable name on the left side of an assignment statement.

    The following example sets the value of the variable alpha.

    alpha = (beta * 6.27) / (gamma + 2.1)
    

    The value generated on the right side of the assignment statement is stored in the variable.

Getting Data from a Variable

You retrieve a variable's value by including the variable name in an expression.

To retrieve a value from a variable

  • Use the variable name in an expression. You can use a variable anywhere you can use a constant or a literal, except in an expression that defines the value of a constant.

    -or-

  • Use the variable name following the equal (=) sign in an assignment statement.

    The following example reads the value of the variable startValue and then uses the value of the variable counter in an expression.

    counter = startValue
    cellValue = (counter + 5) ^ 2
    

    The value of the variable participates in the expression just as a constant would, and then it is stored in the variable or property on the left side of the assignment statement.

See Also

Concepts

Variables in Visual Basic

Variable Declaration in Visual Basic

Object Variables in Visual Basic