WD97: How to Store and Retrieve Variables in Documents

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

This article describes how to set and retrieve document variables using Microsoft Word.

MORE INFORMATION

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

Also, you can use the DocVariable field to retrieve the value of a document variable once it has been set.

To Set and Retrieve the Value of a Document Variable

The following sample macro uses the Variables property to store and then retrieve the value of a string variable named "FullName" with the current document.

   Sub GetSetDocVars()

      Dim fName As String
      fName = "Joe Smith"

      ' Set contents of variable "fName" in a document using a document
      ' variable called "FullName".
      ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="FullName", Value:=fName

      ' Retrieve the contents of the document variable.
      MsgBox ActiveDocument.Variables("FullName").Value

   End Sub

To Delete a Document Variable

The following sample macro uses the Variables property to first set and retrieve the value of a document variable and then delete the variable from the active document.

   Sub GetSetDeleteDocVars()

      Dim fName As String
      fName = "Joe Smith"

      ' Set contents of variable "fName" in a document using a document
      ' variable called "FullName."
      ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="FullName", Value:=fName

      ' Retrieve the contents of the document variable.
      MsgBox ActiveDocument.Variables("FullName").Value

      ' Delete the variable.
      ActiveDocument.Variables("FullName").Delete

   End Sub

To Retrieve the Value of a Document Variable Using the DocVariable Field

The following sample macro uses the Variables property to set a document variable. Following the sample macro are steps to use the DocVariable field to retrieve the value into the contents of the same document.

   Sub GetSetDocVars()

      Dim fName As String
      fName = "Joe Smith"

      ' Set contents of variable "fName" in a document using a document
      ' variable called "FullName."
      ActiveDocument.Variables.Add Name:="FullName", Value:=fName

   End Sub

1. On the Insert menu, click Field.

2. In the Categories list, click Document Automation.

3. In the Field Names list, click DocVariable.

4. Click in the Field codes box so the insertion point is one space past the word DocVariables.

5. In quotation marks, type the name of the document variable.

         Example: "FullName"
   

6. Click OK.

• Use the PrivateProfileString property to store values to a private settings file.

  For more information about the PrivateProfileString property, click the Office Assistant while in the Visual Basic Editor, type "PrivateProfileString Property," click Search, and then click to view "PrivateProfileString Property."

• Use the Variables property to store values in a document.

  For more information about the Variables property, click the Office Assistant while in the Visual Basic Editor, type "Variables Property," click Search, and then click to view "Variables Property."

• Use the Visual Basic for Applications Input/Output statements to write to a text file (for example, Write or Print statements).

  For more information about writing data to files, click the Office Assistant while in the Visual Basic Editor, type "Writing Data to Files," click Search, and then click to view "Writing Data to Files."

• Use the AutoTextEntry Object to store values in an AutoText entry.

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

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

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q168923
   TITLE     : WD97: Invalid Page Fault Using DocVariable Field

   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