XL98: Error Message Cut Off Running Code in Immediate Window

ID: Q176158

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you execute a line of Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications code, if the line of code cannot be executed, you may receive a truncated error message.

For example, if you execute a statement that involves a file called "SomeFileWithALongFileName" that does not really exist on your computer, you may receive the following error message:

   Run-time error '1004':

   'SomeFileWithALongFileName' could not be found. Check the spelling of
   the file name, and verify that the file location is correct.

   If you are trying to open the file from your list of most recently
   used files on the File menu, make

The correct error message that you expect to receive is:

   Run-time error '1004':

   'SomeFileWithALongFileName' could not be found. Check the spelling of
   the file name, and verify that the file location is correct.

   If you are trying to open the file from your list of most recently
   used files on the File menu, make sure that the file has not been
   renamed, moved, or deleted.

Note the additional text after the word "make" in the preceding paragraph.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

You execute the code from the Immediate window. (In the Visual Basic Editor, click Immediate Window on the View menu, or press COMMAND+G.)
-and-
The length of the error message exceeds 255 characters.

NOTE: This problem does not occur in Microsoft Excel for Windows.

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/

To see the entire error message, run the code as part of a Visual Basic

Sub procedure (or macro) in a module. For example, instead of running the

following line of code in the Immediate window:

   Workbooks.Open "Macintosh HD:SomeFileWithALongFileName"

type the following macro into a module and run it:

   Sub Test()
       Workbooks.Open "Macintosh HD:SomeFileWithALongFileName"
   End Sub

When you run the macro from a module, the entire error message is displayed.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

The length of the first error message listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article (the error message that ends with the word "make"), is exactly 255 characters, including carriage returns. Because the correct, complete error message is longer than 255 characters, the error message is cut off when you run the code in the Immediate window.

REFERENCES

For additional 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 vbe

Keywords          : kberrmsg xlvbahowto xlvbainfo 
Version           : MACINTOSH:98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999