ID: Q106388
The information in this article applies to:
This article describes how to set and retrieve document variables using Microsoft Word.
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You can use the Microsoft WordBasic SetDocumentVar command to set a
string variable into a Word document or template. Document variables
are similar to key names in a private settings file and are retrieved
using the GetDocumentVar$() function. You can only set and access document
variables using the WordBasic instructions SetDocumentVar and
GetDocumentVar$().
The following sample macro uses the SetDocumentVar statement to store the contents of the A$ string variable with the current document under the name "FullName." When the string value needs to be returned, the GetDocumentVar$ function is used with the document variable name "FullName."
NOTE: Document variables that are added to a template are stored in all new documents that are based on the template.
Sub MAIN
A$ = "Joe Smith"
SetDocumentVar "FullName", A$ 'Set contents of A$ in document
Name$ = GetDocumentVar$("FullName") 'retrieves contents of variable
Msgbox Name$
End Sub
To ensure that the document variable has been set correctly, use the
SetDocumentVar() function instead of the statement form. The
SetDocumentVar() function returns -1 if the document variable was set
successfully.
For example:
Sub MAIN
A$ = "Joe Smith"
n = SetDocumentVar("FullName", A$) 'Set contents of A$ in document
If n = -1 then
Name$ = GetDocumentVar$("FullName")'retrieves contents of variable
Msgbox Name$
Else
Msgbox "Document variable not set."
End If
End Sub
After a macro is finished running, the values of the macro variables are
not saved. If you need to preserve a value between sessions of a macro, you
can store values using any of the following methods:
"Microsoft Word Developer's Kit," pages 183-196
Additional query words: setdocumentvar getdocument document get set variable value
Keywords : wordnt kbmacroexample winword macword word6 winword2 word7 word95 macword6
Version : WINDOWS:2.x,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto
Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999