WD98: Print # Statement Separates Fields with Spaces, Not Tabs

ID: Q183311

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you use the WordBasic Print statement with commas to send tab-delimited output to a text file, the text is no longer separated by tabs when you convert and run the macro in Visual Basic for Applications.

CAUSE

The Print statement in WordBasic differs from the equivalent Print # statement in Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications. In Visual Basic for Applications, you need to specify the separator by using the vbTab constant.

RESOLUTION

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 converted WordBasic sample code outputs the variables (item1$,item2$, and so on) to a text file with the print fields separated by tab characters:

   Sub MAIN
      ' Define the variables.
      item1$ = "item1"
      item2$ = "item2"
      item3$ = "item3"
      item4$ = "item4"
      ' Open the file for output.
      Open "Macintosh HD:DeskTop Folder:Test.txt" For Output As #1
      ' Print to the output file.
      Print #1, item1$, item2$, item3$, item4$
      ' Close the output file.
      Close #1
   End Sub

In Visual Basic, the same sample code prints the fields separated by spaces. To work around this problem, use the vbTab constant, as in the following statement:

   Print #1, item1$ & vbTab; item2$ & vbTab; item3$ & vbTab; item4$

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Print # Statement, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "print to a file," click Search, and then click to view "Print # Statement."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q176476
   TITLE     : OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions

NOTE: If your programming language was written to call WordBasic commands, and you are anticipating interacting with the Microsoft Word Visual Basic for Applications language for all future development needs, you should convert your code from WordBasic to Microsoft Word Visual Basic for Applications.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q181394
   TITLE     : WD98: Writing Macro Code for VBA and WordBasic Branching

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q181058
   TITLE     : OFF98: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

REFERENCES

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

   ARTICLE-ID: Q163435
   TITLE     : VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for
               Applications

Additional query words: wordcon vb vba vbe

Keywords          : kbdta kbdtacode OffVBA kbmacroexample macword98 
Version           : MACINTOSH:98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

Last Reviewed: April 7, 1999