WD97: Run-Time Error If Style Doesn't Exist

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you run a macro that modifies or deletes a specific style, you may get the following error message:

   Run-time error '5841':
   The requested member of the collection does not exist.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you attempt to modify or delete a style that does not exist.

RESOLUTION

Microsoft provides examples of Visual Basic for Applications procedures 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. The Visual Basic procedures in this article are provided 'as is' and Microsoft does not guarantee that they can be used in all situations. While Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular macro, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality, nor will they help you construct macros to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to consult one of the Microsoft Solution Providers. Solution Providers offer a wide range of fee-based services, including creating custom macros. For more information about Microsoft Solution Providers, call Microsoft Customer Information Service at (800) 426-9400.

The following Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications code tests for the presence of a specific style. If the style exists, the macro checks to see if the specified style is a built-in style. If it is not a built-in style, then the macro tests whether the style is currently in use. If the style is in use, the style is deleted.

   Sub DoesStyleExist()
      Dim StyleExist As Object
      On Error GoTo DSEerrhandler
      Set StyleExist = ActiveDocument.Styles("MyStyle")
      If StyleExist.NameLocal <> "" Then   'Does the style exist?
         If Not StyleExist.BuiltIn Then    'Is it a built in style?
            If StyleExist.InUse Then       'Is the style being used?
               StyleExist.Delete           'Delete the Style
            End If
         Else
            MsgBox "You cannot delete built-in styles."
         End If
      End If
   Exit Sub
   DSEerrhandler: '<--- This line must be left aligned.
      MsgBox "The specified style does not exist"
   End Sub

   ARTICLE-ID: Q117826
   TITLE     : Macro to Test for an Existing Style Name