XL97: Macro Error Using Show Method with AutoShape Selected

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

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

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:

• Your macro contains a line of code similar to either of the following:

        Application.Dialogs(xlDialogPatterns).Show
  

        Application.ExecuteExcel4Macro ("PATTERNS?()")
  

  -and-

• An AutoShape is selected when the above line of code is executed.

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 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 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 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

STATUS

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

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

REFERENCES