XL97: Macro Error Using Show Method with AutoShape Selected

ID: Q166143

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 97, if you run a Visual Basic for Applications macro that attempts to display the Format AutoShape dialog box, you may receive the following error message: 

   Run-time error '1004':
   Show method of Dialog class failed
Or, the Format AutoShape dialog box may simply fail to appear, and you do not receive an error message.

The same macro works correctly in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel, and works occasionally in Microsoft Excel 97.

CAUSE

You may receive the aforementioned error message if both of the following are true:

WORKAROUND

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 professionals 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 xlDialogPatterns dialog box is not available for use with new drawing objects and AutoShapes in Microsoft Excel 97. However, it may be possible in some cases to display the Format AutoShape dialog box by using a line of code similar to the following: 

   Sub Test1()
       SendKeys "^1", True
   End Sub
If the drawing object or AutoShape is selected when this line of code is executed, the Format AutoShape dialog box will be displayed, and you can format the AutoShape. When you click OK or Cancel, the macro will continue.

If you have not renamed any of your drawing objects or AutoShapes, you can use code similar to the following to display the correct dialog box: 

   Sub Test2()

       'If the name of the drawing object begins with "AutoShape", then...
       If Left(Selection.Name, 9) = "AutoShape" Then

           '...use SendKeys to display the dialog box.
           SendKeys "^1", True

       'Otherwise, use the traditional method.
       Else
           Application.Dialogs(xlDialogPatterns).Show

       End If

   End Sub
Note that these methods may not always work, since it is not always possible to guarantee that the sent keys will produce the desired result. Note also that the SendKeys method is not available in Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

AutoShapes are a group of ready-made shapes that include such basic shapes as rectangles and circles, plus a variety of lines and connectors, block arrows, flowchart symbols, stars and banners, and callouts. The AutoShapes that may cause the problem described above are most of those found on the AutoShapes menu of the Drawing toolbar. This includes AutoShapes from the following submenus: 

   Connectors
   Basic Shapes
   Block Arrows
   Flowchart
   Stars and Banners
   Callouts
NOTE: Not all of the Basic Shapes generate the error message.

REFERENCES

For more information about using the Built-in Dialogs, click the Office Assistant, type "built-in dialogs" (without quotation marks), click Search, and then click to view the "Built-In Dialog Box Argument List" topic. 

Keywords          : kbcode kberrmsg kbprg xlvbainfo 
Version           : 97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999