XL98: Error Message Running AppleScript That Clears Print Area

ID: q176413

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, if you clear the print area in a worksheet while recording an AppleScript script, you may receive an error message similar to the following when you run the recorded script:

   Execution Error
   Microsoft Excel got an error: Unable to set the PrintArea property of
   the PageSetup class

CAUSE

While recording a script, the following code is recorded in the script when you clear the print area:

   set PrintArea of PageSetup of ActiveSheet to "\"\""

The section in quotation marks ("\"\"") is incorrect.

WORKAROUND

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   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

AppleScript is manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

To work around this problem, modify the recorded code in the Script Editor so that it resembles the following:

   set PrintArea of PageSetup of ActiveSheet to ""

When you run it, the script should correctly clear the print area.

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

You can use the AppleScript Script Editor to record scripts that interact with many programs, including Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh. When you record such a script, every action you perform in Microsoft Excel is recorded in the script. You can then run the script, and Microsoft Excel performs the recorded actions.

When you record the clearing of the print area in a worksheet, the Script Editor records the code incorrectly. When you run the code, Microsoft Excel cannot clear the print area, and you receive the error message in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

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

Keywords          : kbcode kberrmsg kbprg xlvbainfo 
Version           : MACINTOSH:98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999