microsoft visual basic for applications automation error

The first thing we need to do after we have identified our objective and created a project is to add a reference to the Excel Object library. Our example will implement an Automation controller in VB6 for MS-Excel. However, once you understand the rudiments everything else is a matter of figuring out what part of the object model contains the data and capabilities that you need to get the job done. Clearly, this serves only as a basic introduction. For example, you can look up the MS-Excel object model in the Visual Basic for Applications editor’s help, as illustrated in figure 1.įor our purposes we will create an Automation controller that enables us to start an instance of Excel and dump some random data into the Worksheet. Each Office application has its own object model. The key to successfully implementing an Automation controller for any of the Office XP applications is to name what it is that you want to accomplish and then find the entities in the OLE Automation interface for that Office application and program to that interface. The sample client application-the code that we are writing-plays the role of Automation controller. In this scenario Excel is the code that we are reusing, and in this context Excel is referred to as an Automation server. To demonstrate how Automation works in Office XP I will be providing an Automation controller example that shows you how to control Microsoft Excel. Note: Microsoft Office XP’s MS-Excel was used for the examples in this article. All of these Office applications have the ability to be programmed with Visual Basic for Applications and an extensive object model exposed using OLE Automation, or just Automation. Generally included in Office are Microsoft’s Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and developer versions include Access and FrontPage.

Collectively these applications are referred to as Microsoft Office XP. Microsoft has a whole suite of applications that are available for this purpose. A class of applications referred to as application servers represents a way for a client application to reuse a whole server application, which is often a significant improvement over reusing some classes or components. From Paul Kimmel’s CodeGuru column, Paul Kimmel on VB/VB.NET.Ĭlasses and components provide a granular way to reuse code.

Microsoft visual basic for applications automation error