WD95: Unable to Run Macro w/Multiple Command Line Switches

 Last reviewed: February 23, 1998
Article ID: Q173505
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you use Word command line switches to open a custom template and then run a macro that is stored in the custom template, the macro fails to run and you do not receive an error message.

For example, the following command line will not run the macro specified: 

   "<Word path>\WinWord.exe" /t"<template path>\<template name>"
   /m<macroname>
NOTE: The /m<macroname> switch works correctly if the macro is stored in the Normal.dot template instead of the custom template.

WORKAROUND

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
NOTE: You cannot create an AutoNew or AutoOpen macro to workaround to this problem. Nor can you place your macro code in the template's document Open or New event procedures. The auto macros and event procedures fail to run.

To work around this problem, use the following method:

Open the Template Directly

Use a command line that opens your custom template, instead of creating a document based on the template, and then runs a macro. In the following example, note the omission of the "/t" Switch. 

   "<Word path>\WinWord.exe" "<template path>\<template>.dot" /m<macroname>
Using the default installation paths for Word 7.x and its template folder, the command line would be 

   "C:\Msoffice\Winword\Winword.exe"<space>
   "C:\Msoffice\Templates\MyTemplate.dot"<space>
   /mMyMacro
where <space> indicates a space character.

Your macro can issue a command to create a new document based on the custom template and then close your custom template. For example: 

   Sub Main
      ' Get template name from Window Title.
      ActiveWindow$ = WindowName$()
      ' Get Full path and name of template.
      DocTemplate$ = FileNameInfo$(FileName$(), 1)
      ' Create new document based on custom template.
      FileNew DocTemplate$
      ' Switch back to template.
      Activate ActiveWindow$
      ' Close the template.
      DocClose

      MsgBox "Other code goes here."

   End Sub

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Word listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Word 7.x has several command line switches that can control how Word starts. These switches include: 

   /t<template name> - Starts Word with an alternate template (rather than
                       Normal.dot)

   /m<macroname> - Starts Word and runs the specified macro
For example, if you have a template called MyTemplate.dot containing a macro called MyMacro, you would expect the following command line to create a new document based on MyTemplate and then run the macro MyMacro 

   "C:\Msoffice\Winword\Winword.exe"<space>
   /t"C:\Msoffice\Templates\MyTemplate.dot"<space>
   /mMyMacro
where <space> indicates a space character.

Word creates the new document based on MyTemplate, but does not run the macro.

If you remove the "/t" switch from the command line, Word opens the template rather than creating a new document based on the template. With this method, Word runs the specified macro.

NOTE: Microsoft Word versions 6.x and earlier do not support the "/t" command line switch.

REFERENCES

For more information about command line switches, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE ID: Q70014
   TITLE     : Word for Windows Startup Switches

   ARTICLE ID: Q97687
   TITLE     : WD: Starting Word for Windows with a Template Other Than
               Normal

   ARTICLE ID: Q96565
   TITLE     : How to Disable a Word 'Auto' Macro

   ARTICLE ID: Q70991
   TITLE     : WD: Auto Macros in Word

   ARTICLE ID: Q143302
   TITLE     : DOCERR: Word Startup Switch /t Usage Incorrect
For more information about startup switches, click the Answer Wizard on the Help menu, type "startup switches," click Search, and then click the "Control what happens when you start Microsoft Word" topic. 
Keywords          : word7 word95 kbmacro
Version           : WINDOWS:7.0,7.0a
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbworkaround

================================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: February 23, 1998
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.