XL97: UserControl Property Code Example Doesn't Work Properly

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The following examples demonstrate how you can use the UserControl property in a macro in Visual Basic or Visual Basic for Applications.

Example One: Leave UserControl Set to False

1. In Microsoft Word 97, on the Tools menu point to Macro, and click Visual Basic Editor. Or, press ALT+F11.
2. On the Insert menu, click Module.
3. Enter the following code:

         Sub UserControlStaysFalse()
             Set xlApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application.8")
             xlApp.Visible = True
             MsgBox "This is Microsoft Excel 97, build " & xlApp.Build
             xlApp.Quit
             Set xlApp = Nothing
         End Sub
   						

4. On the Tools menu, click Macros. In the list of macros, click UserControlStaysFalse, and then click Run.

The macro runs and displays a message box with the message "This is Microsoft Excel, build <xxxx>". When the macro is finished running, Microsoft Excel is automatically shut down.

Example Two: Set UserControl Set to True

1. In Microsoft Word 97, on the Tools menu point to Macro, and click Visual Basic Editor. Or, press ALT+F11.
2. On the Insert menu, click Module.
3. Enter the following code:

         Sub UserControlSetToTrue()
             Set xlApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application.8")
             xlApp.Visible = True
             MsgBox "This is Microsoft Excel 97, build " & xlApp.Build
             xlApp.UserControl = True
             Set xlApp = Nothing
         End Sub
   						

4. On the Tools menu, click Macros. In the list of macros, click UserControlSetToTrue, and then click Run.

The macro runs and displays a message box with the message "This is Microsoft Excel, build <xxxx>". When the macro is finished running, the instance of Microsoft Excel continues to run, even though the xlApp object has been released.

Notes About Using the UserControl Property

1. When you set the UserControl property for Microsoft Excel 97 to True, you must also set the Visible property to True. For example:

         xlApp.Visible = True
         xlApp.UserControl = True
   						

   If you do not do this, you will be left with an invisible instance of Microsoft Excel. You can shut down an invisible instance of Microsoft Excel by pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE, selecting "Excel" in the list of tasks/programs, and clicking Shut Down.
2. The UserControl property does not apply to workbooks within Microsoft Excel 97. It applies only to the Application object itself. Because of this, you will generally not use the UserControl property within a macro unless it uses OLE Automation (either the CreateObject or GetObject) to control Microsoft Excel from another program (such as Microsoft Word 97 or Microsoft Visual Basic).
3. The example of the UserControl property included in the Microsoft Excel Visual Basic help file is incorrect, and will not work in Microsoft Excel 97.