Hi Alison,

I usually use ActiveX controls in more complex workbooks, because I do lot of VBA programming, and form controls can’t readily be accessed via VBA code.

Generally, ActiveX controls provide continuous response to inputs and link better to worksheet change events via VBA code.  There is a more detailed discussion of ActiveX vs form controls at:   https://peltiertech.com/?s=activex

*** Nevertheless, there is a persistent bug in Excel (which I have tried to work around for at least the last 10 years . . . ), where ActiveX controls can mysteriously grow/shrink in size when they are clicked – and also when your PC is connected to a second screen and/or data projector.  Form controls do not appear to have this problem.

So in summary: for simpler projects, form controls should be able to do the job.  For more complex projects where VBA code will be used, and the controls need to be driven by worksheet change events, ActiveX controls will give wider functionality.