excel - Infinite For...Next loop: how do I fix it? -

i'm trying delete rows cell values non equivalent 1 of values array ar(). when put logical operator not loop goes infinite reason (excel freezes). in opposite works flawlessly, in case if want delete rows containing values array.

the problem on line:

if not .cells(i, 10).value = ar(j) then

my code:

sub tims()     dim lastrow long, lr long     dim long, j long     dim t integer     dim ar() string      worksheets("start").activate     t = count("a", range("a3:a14"))     lr = range("i3:i10").end(xldown).row     worksheets("master").activate     sheets("master").range("a100:a" & 100 + lr - 3).value = sheets("start").range("i3:i" & lr).value      worksheets("master")         j = 1 lr - 2             redim preserve ar(j)             ar(j) = cells(99 + j, 1)         next j     end      worksheets("master")         lastrow = .cells(.rows.count, "b").end(xlup).row     end      worksheets("master").activate      j = 1 lr - 2         = 1 lastrow             worksheets("master")                 if not .cells(i, 10).value = ar(j)                     .cells(i, 10).entirerow.delete                     = - 1                 end if             end         next     next j  end sub 

the line causing infinite loop one:

i = - 1 

get rid of it, , replace this

for = 1 lastrow 

with this

for = lastrow 1 step -1 

i see why tried i = - 1 in order avoid skipping row each time row deleted. doesn't work: if row gets deleted, replaced empty row @ bottom of table, , reach it. empty row not contain of values in array ar(j), gets deleted , replaced empty row, gets deleted , replaced empty row, ad infinitum.

you have figured out had stepped through code in debug mode.

instead, iterate bottom using step -1.