When to use Use an ActiveX control for most online forms, especially when you need to control different events that occur when the control is used. For example, you can add a list box control to a worksheet, and then write a macro to perform different actions depending on which choice a user selects from the list.
What the controls can do ActiveX controls are similar to controls in programming languages such as Microsoft Visual Basic, and are the same controls you can add to custom forms in the Visual Basic Editor. When you add an ActiveX control to a worksheet, you write macro code that refers to the ID number of the control, as opposed to assigning a macro to run when the control is clicked. When a user of the form uses the control, your code then runs to process any events that occur.
What the controls can't do You cannot use ActiveX controls on chart sheets or XLM macro sheets. For these situations, use the Forms toolbar controls. If you want to attach a macro to run directly from a control, use a Forms toolbar control.
ActiveX controls in custom solutions ActiveX controls have properties you can customize. For example, you can specify the appearance of the pointer when a user points to the control. You can write macros that respond to events associated with ActiveX controls. You can use ActiveX controls both on Excel forms and on forms and dialog boxes in VBA programs.
ActiveX controls on Web pages For Excel forms and data that you plan to put on Web pages, you can include ActiveX controls and write Web scripts (rather than macro code) to run when the controls are used in a Web browser. You can write the scripts in VBScript or JavaScript from within Excel by using the Microsoft Script Editor.
Where to find the controls The Control Toolbox is a toolbar that provides ActiveX controls. Some of these controls look the same as the Forms toolbar controls, and others, such as toggle buttons and image controls, are not available on the Forms toolbar. The Control Toolbox also contains custom ActiveX controls installed by other programs, such as the active movie control installed by Microsoft Internet Explorer.
About Forms toolbar controlsWhen to use Use a control from the Forms toolbar when you want to record all of the macros for a form but do not want to write or modify any macro code in VBA. You can also use Forms toolbar controls on chart sheets.
What the controls can do These controls are designed for use on worksheet forms that other users fill in from Microsoft Excel. You can attach an existing macro to a control or write or record a new macro. When a user of the form clicks the control, the control then runs the macro.
What the controls can't do Forms toolbar controls can't be used to control events, in the way that ActiveX controls can. In addition, Forms toolbar controls can't be used to run Web scripts on Web pages.
Where to find the controls Forms toolbar controls are located on the Forms toolbar.