EXCEL: What is proper "Type" for Dictionary Key [RESOLVED - Variant!]

Esteemed Forum Participants and Lurkers:
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Excel 2003, Microsoft Runtime Scripting Library

I can't figure out what the proper "Type" is for Dictionary Keys. The following code runs without Option Explicit, but how do I "Dim" a key variable so that I can turn Explicit back on?

Code:

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Sub junk()
    'Dictionary requires Microsoft Scripting Runtime in the "Tools > References" List
    Dim aList As Dictionary
    Dim aKey ' As ????????  '<< What is proper Type?
    Set aList = New Scripting.Dictionary
   
    aList.Add "Magic", "Treasure"
   
    For Each aKey In aList.Keys
        Debug.Print aKey, aList.Item(aKey)
    Next
End Sub

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Thank you for any and all suggestions, comments, and assistance.

As Object

Thanks DKenny ... but SORRY!!!

With "Dim aKey as Object":

"For Each aKey In aList.Keys" generates "Run-time error '424': Object required."

We both have something more to learn!

I think I figured out how to coerce VBA into revealing the some of the nature of its automatic assignments when "Explicit" is off.

* Turn off "Explicit"
* Put a breakpoint at the end of the code or some other appropriate point
* Turn on the "Locals" window
* Run the code

When the breakpoint is reached and the program pauses, look in the locals window. In this case, I found:

Code:

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Expression  Value      Type
==========  ==========  ==========
aKey        "Magic"    Variant/String

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Variant works fine as the data type for aKey with Explicit turned on. I'm wondering if this will work for even nastier data types?

As a variant or Object. Depending on how your using the info later, you can convert to the proper data type: Cstr(var), Clng(Var), etc....

VB Code:

Option Explicit
 
Sub junk()
    'No reference required this method
    Dim aList As Object
    Dim aKey As Variant
    Set aList = CreateObject("Scripting.Dictionary")
    
    aList.Add "Magic", "Treasure"
    
    For Each aKey In aList.Keys
        Debug.Print aKey, aList.Item(aKey)
    Next
End Sub