XL: Can't Use xlConstant Names in Variables in VB Code

ID: Q140627

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, string variables that contain Microsoft Excel constant names cannot be used to set properties in Visual Basic code. For example, if you want to show the Open dialog box, the following code will not work:

   Dim var As String
   var = "xlDialogOpen"
   Application.Dialogs(var).show

This type of code, where the Microsoft Excel constant is represented by a variable, produces the following run-time error:

   Dialogs Method of Application Class Failed

   -or-

   Object variable not set

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Microsoft Excel constant names are not actually handled as strings, but rather as the values that they represent.

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 set the Microsoft Excel constant values to variables in Visual Basic, an

integer variable must be set to the value that the constant name represents, as in the following example:

   Dim var As Integer
   var = xlDialogOpen ' Note the absence of quotation marks.
   Application.Dialogs(var).Show

REFERENCES

Microsoft Press: "Developing Microsoft Excel 5 Solutions," pages 615-638

Additional query words: 5.00 7.00 8.00 97 XL97 XL98 XL7 XL5

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbprg kbdta kbdtacode PgmHowto KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999