WD97: Problems with AutoExec Macro That Calls Macro in Add-in

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If you have an AutoExec macro designed to work with an add-in program, Word will return an error that is based on the task the AutoExec macro is attempting to complete. For example, attempting to call a macro stored in an add-in template results in the following error:

   Run-time error '4633': Unable to run the specified macro.

CAUSE

By design, Visual Basic for Applications is asynchronous in operation. This means that while one command is processing, dependent upon the command called, your macro will begin processing the next command.

For example, if your code processes a command to print a document, and the next command displays a message box, the message box appears before the document completes printing. In Word, an AutoExec macro is run before any add-ins are loaded; therefore, the call to the macro stored in your add-in fails and an error occurs.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples 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. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

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

The When argument of the OnTime method specifies the time at which a macro is to be run. It can be a string that specifies a time (for example, "4:30 pm" or "16:30"), or it can be a serial number returned by a function, such as TimeValue or TimeSerial (for example, TimeValue("2:30 pm") or TimeSerial(14, 30, 00)). You can also include the date (for example, "6/30 4:15 pm" or TimeValue("6/30 4:15 pm")).

Use the sum of the return values of the Now function and either the TimeValue or TimeSerial function to set a timer to run a macro a specified amount of time after the statement is run. For example, use Now+TimeValue("00:05:30") to run a macro 5 minutes and 30 seconds after the statement is run.

The Tolerance argument of the OnTime method specifies the maximum time (in seconds) that can elapse before a macro that wasn't run at the time specified by When is canceled. Macros may not always run at the specified time. For example, if a sort operation is under way or a dialog box is being displayed, the macro will be delayed until Word has completed the task. If this argument is 0 (zero) or omitted, the macro is run regardless of how much time has elapsed since the time specified by When.

NOTE: The time to wait will vary between faster and slower computers and may need to be adjusted appropriately.

   Application.OnTime When:=Now() + TimeValue("00:00:3"), _
      Name:="MyProject.MyModule.MyMacro", Tolerance:=2

REFERENCES

For more information about the OnTime method, click the Office Assistant while in the Visual Basic Editor, type "OnTime Method," click Search, and then click to view "OnTime Method."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q176476
   TITLE     : OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions

   ARTICLE-ID: Q173707
   TITLE     : OFF97: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

   ARTICLE-ID: Q163435
   TITLE     : VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for
               Applications