XL: PrintArea Property Needs Dollar Signs

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, when you use the PrintArea property in a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications macro to define a print area, and you do not use an absolute reference (that is, you do not include any dollar signs in the reference), a run-time error will occur.

For example, you will receive the following error message:

   Run-time error '1005':
   Name is not defined" error message:

   Sub Macro1()
       ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = "A1:A7"
   End Sub

CAUSE

The statement will work correctly if you use at least one dollar sign in the reference.

WORKAROUND

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   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/default.asp

Method 1

Define a print area by using the following line of code:

   ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = "$A$1:$Z$70"

Method 2

Because only one dollar sign is required, any of the following references will work with the PrintArea property:

   $A$1:$Z$70
   $A1:Z70
   A$1:Z70
   $A$1:Z70
   A1:$Z70
   A1:$Z$70
   A1:Z$70

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows and Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the PrintArea property, choose the Search button in the Visual Basic Reference and type:

   print area