VBA Excel – How to get the token to be used later in API REST

Are you tired of scratching your head, trying to figure out how to get that elusive API token in VBA Excel? Well, worry no more! In this article, we’ll take you on a step-by-step journey to obtain that coveted token and use it to make API REST calls like a pro!

What is an API Token?

Before we dive into the juicy stuff, let’s quickly cover the basics. An API token, also known as an access token, is a unique string that acts as a digital key to access a specific API. It’s like having a special password that grants you permission to make requests to the API and retrieve data.

Why do we need an API Token in VBA Excel?

In VBA Excel, we need an API token to make API REST calls to external services, such as web APIs, cloud storage, or social media platforms. Without a valid token, our API requests will be rejected, and we’ll get a nasty error message.

Getting the API Token using VBA Excel

Now, let’s get down to business! To obtain an API token using VBA Excel, we’ll follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Register for an API Key

   First, you need to register for an API key on the API provider’s website. This will give you a unique API key or client ID, which we’ll use later.

2. Step 2: Create a New VBA Module

   In your VBA Excel project, create a new module by going to Insert > Module or by pressing Alt + F11.

3. Step 3: Set up the API Request

   In the new module, declare the necessary variables and set up the API request using the MSXML2.XMLHTTP object:

         Dim apiUrl As String
         Dim apiKey As String
         Dim httpRequest As Object
         Dim tokenResponse As String
         
         apiUrl = "https://api.example.com/token"
         apiKey = "your_api_key_here"
         
         Set httpRequest = CreateObject("MSXML2.XMLHTTP")
         httpRequest.Open "POST", apiUrl, False
         httpRequest.setRequestHeader "Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded"
         httpRequest.send "grant_type=client_credentials&client_id=" & apiKey & "&client_secret=your_api_secret_here"
       

   Replace your_api_key_here and your_api_secret_here with your actual API key and secret, respectively.

4. Step 4: Parse the Token Response

   Once the API request is sent, we need to parse the token response using the JsonConverter library:

         Dim json As Object
         Set json = JsonConverter.ParseJson(httpRequest.ResponseText)
         
         tokenResponse = json("access_token")
       

   You can download the JsonConverter library from GitHub and add it to your VBA project.

5. Step 5: Use the API Token

   Now that we have the API token, we can use it to make API REST calls:

         Dim apiUrl As String
         apiUrl = "https://api.example.com/data"
         
         Set httpRequest = CreateObject("MSXML2.XMLHTTP")
         httpRequest.Open "GET",.apiUrl, False
         httpRequest.setRequestHeader "Authorization", "Bearer " & tokenResponse
         httpRequest.send
       

   Replace https://api.example.com/data with the actual API endpoint you want to call.

Storing the API Token for Later Use

Instead of requesting a new token every time you run your macro, you can store the token in a safe location for later use. Here are a few options:

• Environment Variables

  You can store the token as an environment variable using the Environ function:

        Environ("API_TOKEN") = tokenResponse
      

  However, be aware that environment variables are stored in plain text and can be easily accessed by others.

• Registry Keys

  You can store the token in the Windows registry using the SaveSetting function:

        SaveSetting "API_Token", "Token", tokenResponse
      

  This method is more secure than environment variables, but still vulnerable to discovery.

• Encrypted Files

  You can store the token in an encrypted file using the Cipher object:

        Dim cipher As Object
        Set cipher = CreateObject("System.Security.Cryptography.Cipher")
        
        ' Encrypt the token and save it to a file
        cipher.Encrypt tokenResponse, "api_token.txt"
      

  This method is the most secure, but requires additional setup and configuration.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You now have a shiny new API token to use in your VBA Excel project. Remember to store the token securely and use it wisely. With great power comes great responsibility, after all.

API Token	Use Cases
Access token	API REST calls, data retrieval, authentication
Refresh token	Token renewal, long-lived access

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to making API REST calls like a pro and unlocking the full potential of VBA Excel. Happy coding!

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