XL97: Problems Using TripleState Property for OptionButton

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If you view the properties list for an ActiveX OptionButton control, you will be able to set the TripleState property to either True or False. But, setting it to either True or False has no effect on the control's behavior.

CAUSE

The TripleState property is available for the OptionButton control, but it is essentially disabled for the control. Regardless of the setting of the TripleState property, through the user interface, you cannot set the OptionButton to a value other than True (selected) or False (not selected).

RESOLUTION

The TripleState property is designed to work with the ActiveX CheckBox control. If you set the TripleState property of an ActiveX CheckBox control to True, then you can toggle the value of the CheckBox from True (selected), to False (cleared) to Null (dimmed).

STATUS

This is by design of Microsoft Excel.

MORE INFORMATION

If you set the TripleState property of an OptionButton to True, you can programmatically set the value of the OptionButton to Null. This will give you the same effect as setting the CheckBox control to Null (the OptionButton appears dimmed).

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 example macro demonstrates setting an OptionButton to Null.

Setting up the Control

1. Close and save any open workbooks, and then open a new workbook.

2. If the Control Toolbox is not visible, point to Toolbars on the View menu, and then click Control Toolbox.

3. Click the OptionButton control on the Control Toolbox toolbar, and then draw an OptionButton on Sheet1.

4. Click the Exit Design Mode button on the Control Toolbox toolbar.

Sample Macro Code

1. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Visual Basic Editor.

2. On the Insert menu click Module.

3. Enter the following code in the module.

      Sub Set_Option()
   
      Dim Choice As Integer
      Dim MyPrompt As String
   
      MyPrompt =  "Type 1 for Selected, 2 for Not Selected and 3 for Grayed"
      Choice = InputBox(MyPrompt)
   
      Select Case Choice
   
         Case 1
            Sheet1.OptionButton1.Value = True
   
         Case 2
            Sheet1.OptionButton1.Value = False
   
         Case 3
            Sheet1.OptionButton1.Value = Null
   
         End Select
   
      End Sub
   
   

Running the Macro

1. Activate Microsoft Excel (press ALT+F11).

2. Select any cell in Sheet1.

3. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and then click Macros.

4. Select Set_Option and click Run.

5. Enter either 1, 2, or 3 in the InputBox when prompted, and click OK.

REFERENCES

For more information about OptionButton Controls, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   option buttons