What is the difference between Activate and Select?

Sheets(1).Activate and Sheets(1).Select looks like doing the exactly same thing.

Although, the code Sheets(1).Select fails when the worksheet is invisible.

As for Activate method, it works. The workbook as the parent object is activeted. Activate is a method for activating objects.
Select is a method for selecting objects.

You can select plural worksheets but cannot activate both worksheet. Only you can do is activate a worksheet.

Example

Place the following in a worksheet module.

Option Explicit Sub Test1() 'Works     ActiveWorkbook.Sheets(Array(1, 2, 3)).Select End Sub Sub Test2() 'does not work     ActiveWorkbook.Sheets(Array(1, 2, 3)).Activate End Sub