WD97: Writing Macro Code for VBA and WordBasic Branching

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

This article includes sample Visual Basic code that demonstrates how to determine the version of Word for Windows currently installed when using OLE automation. Based on the version of Word, the code will conditionally branch to use WordBasic commands if the version of Word is earlier than Word 97. If the version of Word returned is equal to or greater than Word 97, the code will branch to use Visual Basic for Applications commands.

You may want to use this conditional branching if you are using more than one version of Word on your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Word 97 and later versions, WordBasic has been replaced with Visual Basic for Applications. For backward compatibility, Visual Basic for Applications contains a WordBasic object. To ensure that the WordBasic command and arguments are positioned correctly, use the Position.hlp file for Word for Windows version 6.x.

NOTE: If your programming language was written to call WordBasic commands and you are anticipating interacting with the Microsoft Word Visual Basic for Applications language for all future development needs, you should convert your code from WordBasic to Microsoft Word Visual Basic for Applications.

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.

   ' ******************************************************************
   ' MODULE NAME: Coding For WordBasic or Visual Basic Based On Version
   ' DECLARATIONS SECTION
   ' ******************************************************************
   Dim oWordWB As Object
   Dim oWordVBA As Object

   ' The GetWordVersion routine creates a WordBasic object. It then
   ' determines the currently installed version of Word for Windows.
   ' If the version is earlier than Word 97, it branches to use a
   ' WordBasic Code" routine.
   ' If the version is Word 97 or later, it branches to use a Visual
   ' Basic for Applications routine. If Word is not currently installed,
   ' an error is trapped and the program displays a message and ends.

   Sub GetWordVersion ()
      ' *******************************************************
      ' PURPOSE: To determine the Word version and branch
      '          conditionally based on the version returned.
      '
      ' ARGUMENTS:
      '           oWordWB - WordBasic Object
      ' *******************************************************
      On Error GoTo NoWord
      Set oWOBJ = CreateObject("Word.basic")
      If Val(oWOBJ.AppInfo(2)) < 8 Then
         ' If earlier than version 8, branch to WordBasic code.
         UseWordBasicCode
      Else
         ' If version 8 or later, branch to Visual Basic for
         ' Applications code.
         UseVBACode
      End If
   NoWord:
      If Err <> 0 then
         MsgBox "Word is not installed."
         End
      End If
   End Sub

      Sub UseVBACode ()
         ' *********************************************************
         ' PURPOSE: Used for Visual Basic For Applications commands.
         '
         ' ARGUMENTS:
         '           oWordWB  - WordBasic Object
         '           oWordVBA - Visual Basic for Applications Object
         ' *********************************************************
         ' Close the WordBasic Object that was used to determine the
         ' Word version.
         oWordWB.FileExit
         Set oWordWB = Nothing
         ' Create a Word Visual Basic For Applications object.
         Set oWordVBA = CreateObject("Word.Application")
         ' ***********************************************
         ' < Visual Basic For Applications Commands Here >
         ' ***********************************************
         ' When quitting an OLE session with Visual Basic For Applications,
         ' you must use the Quit command in combination with setting
         ' the OLE object to Nothing to clear the instance from memory.
         oWordVBA.Quit
         Set oWordVBA = Nothing
      End Sub

      Sub UseWordBasicCode ()
         ' *************************************
         ' PURPOSE: Used for WordBasic commands.
         '
         ' ARGUMENTS:
         '           oWordWB - WordBasic Object
         ' *************************************
         ' **************************
         ' < WordBasic Commands Here>
         ' **************************
         ' Close the instance of Word.
         oWordWB.FileExit
         ' Clear the Object from memory.
         Set oWordWB = Nothing
      End Sub