WD97: Unexpected Results with Find Object w/o Forward Argument

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If you do not specify a search direction when using the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Find property, the search routine may go to the next instance of a search string, the previous instance, or nothing happens.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the search function of Word remembers the last direction and uses this as the default for the next search.

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 following Find Object properties determine the search direction and whether the search continues after you reach the beginning or end of the document:

Forward Argument

The Forward argument specifies the direction to search. When you set the value to True, the macro searches toward the end of the document. When you set the value to False, the macro searches toward the beginning of the document.

Wrap Property

The Wrap property returns or sets the event that occurs when the search begins at a point other than the beginning of the document or if the search text is not found in the specified selection or range. The Wrap property can use any of the following WdFindWrap constants:

Constant         Description
--------         -----------

wdFindAsk        After searching the selection or range, Word displays a
                 message asking whether to search the remainder of the
                 document.

wdFindContinue   The find operation continues when the beginning or end of
                 the search range is reached.

WdFindStop       The find operation ends when the beginning or end of the
                 search range is reached.

Searching Downward

The following macro example searches downward. When it reaches the end of the document, it prompts you to continue searching from the beginning of the document:

   Sub SearchDown()
      Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
      With Selection.Find
         .Text = "Word"
         .Forward = True
         .Wrap = wdFindAsk
      End With
      Selection.Find.Execute
   End Sub

Searching Upward

The following macro example searches upward. When it reaches the beginning of the document, it prompts you to continue searching from the end of the document:

   Sub SearchUp()
      Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
         With Selection.Find
            .Text = "Word"
            .Forward = False
            .Wrap = wdFindAsk
         End With
         Selection.Find.Execute
   End Sub

Searching the Entire Document

The following macro example searches the entire document. It does not prompt you to continue searching when you reach the beginning or the end of the document:

   Sub SearchEntireDocument()
      Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
      With Selection.Find
         .Text = "Word"
         .Forward = True
         .Wrap = wdFindContinue
      End With
      Selection.Find.Execute
   End Sub

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Visual Basic Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120802
   TITLE     : Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office
               Program or Component

   ARTICLE-ID: Q98874
   TITLE     : EditFind and EditSearch Not Working As Expected