Low Memory Error with Repeated Use of WordBasic Dialog Record

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0b, 2.0c

SUMMARY

If you use a WordBasic dialog record repeatedly, Word may generate an "Out of Memory" error message.

Each command in Word has different properties that define parameters for that particular command. For example, .LeftIndent and .Bold are properties of the FormatCharacter command. The entire set of properties is referred to as a dialog record. When this dialog record is repeatedly assigned to a command, an "Out of Memory" error eventually results. This does not happen if the properties are explicitly assigned.

MORE INFORMATION

The following two macros illustrate this problem. Although these macros are functionally identical, Macro1 will cause an "Out of Memory" error while Macro2 will not. Macro1 should only be run with a single blank document open. You must restart Word to restore memory after you run the macro.

Macro1

Sub MAIN

   Print Str$(I)              'Display the counter on the status bar
   Dim fc As FormatCharacter  'Declare dialog record fc
   GetCurValues fc            'Get the current values
   FormatCharacter fc         'Assign them to FormatCharacter again
Next
End Sub

Macro2

Sub MAIN

   Print Str$(I)
   Dim fc As FormatCharacter
   GetCurValues fc
   FormatCharacter .Font = "Times New Roman", .Points = "12", \
      .Bold = 0, .Italic = 0, .Strikeout = 0, .Hidden = 0, \
      .SmallCaps = 0, .AllCaps = 0, .Underline = 0, .Color = 0, \
      .Position = "0 pt", .Spacing = "0 pt"

End Sub