Word Automation Questions

I have developed a database application that has a memo field tied to a RichTextBox. I have added the neccessary code to send the contents of the RichTextBox to Word through automation and it works fine.

My questions are thus:

1)I am using Word 2000 on my system and have included the neccessary References to enable the above to work. Will this work if the user has word 97 instead. Some of our user have Word 97 while others have Word 2000? If not, what needs to be done to do so?

2)In the event that the user does not have Word on his computer at all, how can I check and automatically disable this menu option so that I don't get an error?


Thanks,

Rev. Michael L. Burns

Rev Burns,

I use this code in almost any Automation script I am writing. I find it invaluable…

Code:

---

Function AddReference(strFileName As String) As String
   
    Dim ref As reference
       
    Set db = CurrentDb
   
    On Error GoTo Error_ReferenceFromFile
    Set ref = References.AddFromFile(strFileName)
    AddReference = "OK"
   
Exit_ReferenceFromFile:
    db.Execute "insert into tblReferenceLog (event_time, action, result) " & _
              "select #" & Now & "#, 'Removing Reference', '" & AddReference & "'"

    Exit Function

Error_ReferenceFromFile:
    AddReference = Err.Number & " " & Err.Description
    Resume Exit_ReferenceFromFile
End Function

Function RemoveReference(strLocalName As String) As String

    Dim ref As reference
   
    Set db = CurrentDb
    On Error GoTo Error_RemoveReference
   
    Set ref = References(strLocalName)
    ' Remove calendar control reference.
    References.Remove ref
    RemoveReference = "OK"

Exit_RemoveReference:
    db.Execute "insert into tblReferenceLog (event_time, action, result) " & _
              "select #" & Now & "#, 'Adding Reference', '" & RemoveReference & "'"

    Exit Function

Error_RemoveReference:
    RemoveReference = Err.Number & " " & Err.Description
    Resume Exit_RemoveReference
End Function

---

Explanation:
AddReference(“C:\Progam Files\Microsoft Office\Office\MSWORD8.olb”) would add the Word 8.0 reference. The theory is that if Word is not present, it will throw up an error (which you can handle whichever way you wish – I use a table called tblReferenceLog to track the events that occur). Remove reference you may not require (I use it as some references conflict with DAO blah blah blah).

You should be able to use this to find out if a reference exists or not ( the error message chucked out should tell you that the added reference either is not present, or is already present and being used).

Of course, using Err to determine items is not the best way, but I think the code above offers a solution to both you queries.

A question for you:

Why is it so hard for me (a protestant) to marry my Buddist fiancee in Northern Ireland????

Good luck,

Well, I do not know how to set up your application to check for word but I do believe that you cannot use references for Word 2000 if you also want to use your application on pc's with word97. I could be wrong, but what I would suggest is to use the refrences for Word97 and see how the application works on 2000. I hope this isn't confusing.

Good luck.

I was able to do this where it did not matter which Word the user had (2000 or 97). The key seemed to be to use the Microsoft Word 9.0 object library, along with 'late' binding. See the following link for explanation.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/of...tvariables.htm

When I used the late binding with 9.0 object library, it would run on both Word 97 and Word 2000 environments. When I tried early binding on Word 97 machine, it would GPF. I don't really get it completely, but it did work.

Kfaymon, vbuser1976, and Gaffer,

Thank you for your quick replies. They have each given me some food for thought and something to start with. Your help is much appreciated.

Rev. Michael L. Burns

As long as you use the WORD 2000 reference you figure it would be backward compatible to cover 97 as well.