XL: Can't Add Object to Sheet Protected as UserInterfaceOnly

ID: Q140541

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you programmatically protect a worksheet so that you can make changes only with a Visual Basic for Applications macro, and then run a macro, the following error message may appear:

   Run-time error '1004':
   Add method of <object> class failed.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

You use the Protect method for the worksheet and set the UserInterfaceOnly argument to True.
-and-
You run a macro that attempts to add a drawing object to the worksheet.

Drawing objects include graphic objects, pictures, embedded objects, and embedded charts.

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 work around this problem, unprotect the worksheet before adding the drawing object, and then reprotect the sheet, as in the following example:

   Sub AddObject()

      'Unprotect the Sheet.
      ActiveSheet.Unprotect password:="pwd"

      'Add a drawing object.
      ActiveSheet.Rectangles.Add 0, 0, 100, 100

      'Protect the sheet again with "UserInterFaceOnly."
      ActiveSheet.Protect password:="pwd", userinterfaceonly:=True

      'The macro can continue making changes to the "UserInterfaceOnly"
      'protected worksheet other than adding drawing objects.
      ActiveSheet.Range("A10").Value = "Hello World"

   End Sub

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words: 7.00 protection

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbprg kbdta kbdtacode xlui KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:7.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999