XL98: Object Is Not Visible After Using CreateObject Method

ID: Q189855

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you create an object with the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications CreateObject method, the object may not be visible.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because an object that you create with the CreateObject method is not visible unless the macro performs some action that affects the object.

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/

To make the object visible, have the macro perform an action that affects that object. Note how this is done in the following sample macro:

   Sub object_example()

   Dim xlsheet As Object

      ' Create the object.
      Set xlsheet = CreateObject("Excel.Sheet.8")

      ' Set the cell A1 to 100. This action affects
      ' the workbook as needed to make this object visible.
      xlsheet.Worksheets(1).Range("A1").Value = 100

      ' Display a message box confirming that the
      ' cell was set to 100.
      MsgBox xlsheet.Worksheets(1).Range("A1").Value

   ' Set the xlsheet object to nothing
   Set xlsheet = Nothing
   End Sub

This macro creates the object with the CreateObject method and performs an action on the object by entering the value 100 into cell A1 on Sheet1. Then, a message box displays the value in cell A1. The user must click OK to dismiss the message. By performing these actions on the object, it becomes visible.

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

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

REFERENCES

For more information about the CreateObject function, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "CreateObject", click Search, and then click to view "CreateObject Function."

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

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: XL98

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta OffVBA 
Version           : MACINTOSH:98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 18, 1999