BUG: "Function call on Left-hand side of assignment..." Error

• Standard, Professional, and Enterprise Editions of Microsoft Visual Basic, 16-bit and 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When a Read-Only property of a Text box is set in code, trying to run a project brings up the following error message:

   "Function call on left-hand side of assignment must return Variant or
   Object"

CAUSE

The problem with the code has nothing to do with the return value of a function. Although the error message is misleading and incorrect, it is an error to try and set a Read-Only property.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be an issue in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. Microsoft is researching this issue and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

WORKAROUND

Do not attempt to set a Read-Only property in code (by definition).

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Start a new project in Visual Basic 4.0. Form1 is created by default.

2. In the Form_Load event, place the following code:

         Private Sub Form_Load()
            Text1.HideSelection = False
         End Sub
   
   

3. Run the program by pressing the F5 key. The error message occurs.