ACC: VBA Functions Break in Database with Missing References

• Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97
• Microsoft Excel 97
• Microsoft Word 97

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

If you have a procedure that contains a Visual Basic for Applications function, and your database contains a reference to a missing object library or type library, you may receive the following error message when you compile your modules or execute the procedure.

In Microsoft Access 97, Microsoft Excel 97, Microsoft Word 97

      Compile Error:
      Can't find project or library

In Microsoft Access 7.0

      Can't find project or library

CAUSE

Your database contains a reference to a database, type library, or object library which is marked as "Missing:" in the References dialog box.

RESOLUTION

Follow these steps to remove the missing reference:

1. Open your database.

2. Open a module in Design view.

3. On the Tools menu, click References.

4. Click to clear the check box for the type library or object library marked as "Missing:."

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.

2. Create a new module.

3. On the Tools menu, click References.

4. Click Microsoft Excel 8.0 Object Library (or Microsoft Excel 5.0 Object Library if you have Microsoft Excel 7.0) in the Available References box, and then click OK.

5. Create the following procedure in the module window:

         Function Test(x as string)
            Msgbox Left(x, 5)
         End Function
   
   

6. Save the module as Module1, and then close the database.

7. If you have Microsoft Excel 97, rename the file Excel8.olb to Excel8a.olb. This is the Microsoft Excel 8.0 Object Library file, which is installed by default in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\ folder.

   If you have Microsoft Excel 7.0, rename the file Xl5en32.olb to Xl5en32.xyz. This is the Microsoft Excel 5.0 Object Library file, which is installed by default in the C:\MSOffice\Excel folder.

8. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.

9. Open Module1 in Design view.

10. On the Debug menu (or the Run menu in Microsoft Access 7.0), click

        Compile Loaded Modules. Note that you receive the error message.
    

11. Click OK in the error message box, and the References dialog box opens

        automatically. Note the word MISSING: in front of the Microsoft Excel
        Object Library.
    

12. Click Cancel in the References dialog box, and then close the database.

13. Rename Excel8a.olb to Excel8.olb (or rename Xl5en32.xyz to

        Xl5en32.olb).
    

14. Repeat steps 8 - 10 and note that the error message no longer appears.

REFERENCES

For a complete list of Visual Basic for Applications functions, search the Help Index for "functions, reference topics," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.