WD2000: Unexpected Result Using Find Command w/o Forward Argument

ID: Q212680

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

If you do not specify a search direction when using the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Find property, either the search routine may go to the next instance of a search string or the previous instance, or nothing happens.


CAUSE

This behavior is by design. The search function in Word remembers the last direction and uses this as the default for the next search.


WORKAROUND

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/


The following Find Object properties determine the search direction and whether the search continues after you reach the beginning or end of the document:

Forward Argument

The Forward argument specifies the direction to search. When you set the value to True, the macro searches toward the end of the document. When you set the value to False, the macro searches toward the beginning of the document.

Wrap Property

The Wrap property returns or sets the event that occurs when the search begins at a point other than the beginning of the document or if the search text is not found in the specified selection or range. The Wrap property can use any of the following WdFindWrap constants: 


Constant         Description
--------         -----------

wdFindAsk        After searching the selection or range, Word displays a
                 message asking whether to search the remainder of the
                 document.

wdFindContinue   The find operation continues when the beginning or end of
                 the search range is reached.

WdFindStop       The find operation ends when the beginning or end of the
                 search range is reached.

Searching Downward

The following macro example searches downward. When it reaches the end of the document, it prompts you to continue searching from the beginning of the document: 

Sub SearchDown()
   Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
   With Selection.Find
      .Text = "Word"
      .Forward = True
      .Wrap = wdFindAsk
   End With
   Selection.Find.Execute
End Sub


Searching Upward

The following macro example searches upward. When it reaches the beginning of the document, it prompts you to continue searching from the end of the document: 

Sub SearchUp()
   Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
      With Selection.Find
         .Text = "Word"
         .Forward = False
         .Wrap = wdFindAsk
      End With
      Selection.Find.Execute
End Sub


Searching the Entire Document

The following macro example searches the entire document. It does not prompt you to continue searching when you reach the beginning or the end of the document: 

Sub SearchEntireDocument()
   Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
   With Selection.Find
      .Text = "Word"
      .Forward = True
      .Wrap = wdFindContinue
   End With
   Selection.Find.Execute
End Sub


For more information about the Find property, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type "Find" in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.


MORE INFORMATION

For more information about using the sample code in this article, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q212536 OFF2000: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles


REFERENCES

For additional information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Additional query words: vb vba vbe 


Keywords          : kbdta kbdtacode kbwordvba wd2000 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999