XL97: Error Using Natural Language Formula in a Macro

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you run a Visual Basic for Applications macro in Microsoft Excel that references a natural language formula (NLF), you may receive the following error message:

   Run-time error '1004':
   Method 'Range' of object '_Global' failed

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you use the Range property in a macro to reference a natural language formula on a worksheet. For example, either of the following statements that refer to the labels "AB" and "CD" will cause a run-time error:

   Range("AB CD").Select

   -or-

   MsgBox Range("AB CD").Value

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

   Sub Test()
      'Declare the variable X as an Object type.
      Dim X as Object

      'Set X to a worksheet cell (D1).
      Set X = ActiveSheet.Range("D1")

      'Enter the NLF formula in D1.
      X.Formula = "='East' 'ProductsB'"

      'Set the variable Y to result of the NLF.
      Y = [X].Value

      'Clear cell D1.
      X.ClearContents

      'Display the result of the formula.
      Msgbox Y
   End Sub

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products 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.