VBScript Language Reference

Welcome to the VBScript Language Reference

These handy blocks of information will help you explore the many different parts of the Visual Basic Scripting language.
You'll find all the parts of the VBScript language listed alphabetically under the Alphabetic Keyword List. But if you want to examine just one category, say, objects, each language category has its own, more compact section.
How's it work? Click on one of the headings to the left to display a list of items contained in that category. From this list, select the topic that you want to view. Once you've opened that topic, you can easily link to other related sections.
So, go ahead and take a look! Study some statements, mull over the methods, or figure out a few functions. You'll see just how versatile the VBScript language can be!

Features	Description
Version Information	List of VBScript versions by host application and list of features by version.
VBScript Features	List of features currently in VBScript.
VBA Features not in VBScript	List of features currently in Visual Basic: Applications Edition but not in VBScript.
VBScript Features not in VBA	List of features in VBScript that are not in Visual Basic: Applications Edition.
Microsoft Scripting Run-Time Features	List of scripting run-time features currently in VBScript.

Language Element	Description
Abs Function	Returns the absolute value of a number.
Addition Operator (+)	Sums two numbers.
And Operator	Performs a logical conjunction on two expressions.
Array Function	Returns a Variant containing an array.
Asc Function	Returns the ANSI character code corresponding to the first letter in a string.
Assignment Operator (=)	Assigns a value to a variable or property.
Atn Function	Returns the arctangent of a number.
Call Statement	Transfers control to a Sub or Function procedure.
CBool Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Boolean.
CByte Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Byte.
CCur Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Currency.
CDate Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Date.
CDbl Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Double.
Chr Function	Returns the character associated with the specified ANSI character code.
CInt Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Integer.
Class Object	Provides access to the events of a created class.
Class Statement	Declares the name of a class.
Clear Method	Clears all property settings of the Err object.
CLng Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Long.
Color Constants	List of color constants.
Comparison Constants	List of constants used in comparison operations.
Concatenation Operator (&)	Forces string concatenation of two expressions.
Const Statement	Declares constants for use in place of literal values.
Cos Function	Returns the cosine of an angle.
CreateObject Function	Creates and returns a reference to an Automation object.
CSng Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Single.
CStr Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype String.
Date and Time Constants	List of constants defining days of week and other constants used in Date and Time operations.
Date Format Constants	List of constants used to format dates and times.
Date Function	Returns the current system date.
DateAdd Function	Returns a date to which a specified time interval has been added.
DateDiff Function	Returns the number of intervals between two dates.
DatePart Function	Returns the specified part of a given date.
DateSerial Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date for a specified year, month, and day.
DateValue Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date.
Day Function	Returns a whole number between 1 and 31, inclusive, representing the day of the month.
Description Property	Returns or sets a descriptive string associated with an error.
Dictionary Object	Object that stores data key, item pairs.
Dim Statement	Declares variables and allocates storage space.
Division Operator (/)	Divides two numbers and returns a floating-point result.
Do...Loop Statement	Repeats a block of statements while a condition is True or until a condition becomes True.
Empty	Indicates an uninitialized variable value.
Eqv Operator	Performs a logical equivalence on two expressions.
Erase Statement	Reinitializes the elements of fixed-size arrays and deallocates dynamic-array storage space.
Err Object	Contains information about run-time errors.
Eval Function	Evaluates an expression and returns the result.
Execute Method	Executes a regular expression search against a specified string.
Execute Statement	Executes one or more specified statements.
ExecuteGlobal Statement	Executes one or more specified statements in the global namespace of a script.
Exit Statement	Exits a block of Do...Loop, For...Next, Function, or Sub code.
Exp Function	Returns e (the base of natural logarithms) raised to a power.
Exponentiation Operator (^)	Raises a number to the power of an exponent.
False	Keyword that has a value equal to zero.
FileSystemObject Object	Provides access to a computer's file system.
Filter Function	Returns a zero-based array containing a subset of a string array based on a specified filter criteria.
FirstIndex Property	Returns the position in a search string where a match occurs.
Fix Function	Returns the integer portion of a number.
For...Next Statement	Repeats a group of statements a specified number of times.
For Each...Next Statement	Repeats a group of statements for each element in an array or collection.
FormatCurrency Function	Returns an expression formatted as a currency value using the currency symbol defined in the system control panel.
FormatDateTime Function	Returns an expression formatted as a date or time.
FormatNumber Function	Returns an expression formatted as a number.
FormatPercent Function	Returns an expression formatted as a percentage (multiplied by 100) with a trailing % character.
Function Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Function procedure.
GetLocale Function	Returns the current locale ID value.
GetObject Function	Returns a reference to an Automation object from a file.
GetRef Function	Returns a reference to a procedure that can be bound to an event.
Global Property	Sets or returns a Boolean value.
Hex Function	Returns a string representing the hexadecimal value of a number.
HelpContext Property	Sets or returns a context ID for a topic in a Help File.
HelpFile Property	Sets or returns a fully qualified path to a Help File
Hour Function	Returns a whole number between 0 and 23, inclusive, representing the hour of the day.
If...Then...Else Statement	Conditionally executes a group of statements, depending on the value of an expression.
IgnoreCase Property	Sets or returns a Boolean value that indicates if a pattern search is case-sensitive or not.
Imp Operator	Performs a logical implication on two expressions.
Initialize Event	Occurs when an instance of the associated class is created.
InputBox Function	Displays a prompt in a dialog box, waits for the user to input text or click a button, and returns the contents of the text box.
InStr Function	Returns the position of the first occurrence of one string within another.
InStrRev Function	Returns the position of an occurrence of one string within another, from the end of string.
Int Function	Returns the integer portion of a number.
Integer Division Operator (\)	Divides two numbers and returns an integer result.
Is Operator	Compares two object reference variables.
IsArray Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether a variable is an array.
IsDate Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether an expression can be converted to a date.
IsEmpty Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether a variable has been initialized.
IsNull Function	Returns a Boolean value that indicates whether an expression contains no valid data (Null).
IsNumeric Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether an expression can be evaluated as a number.
IsObject Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether an expression references a valid Automation object.
Join Function	Returns a string created by joining a number of substrings contained in an array.
LBound Function	Returns the smallest available subscript for the indicated dimension of an array.
LCase Function	Returns a string that has been converted to lowercase.
Locale ID (LCID) Chart	List of Locale ID's and their associated values.
Left Function	Returns a specified number of characters from the left side of a string.
Len Function	Returns the number of characters in a string or the number of bytes required to store a variable.
Length Property	Returns the length of a match found in a search string.
LoadPicture Function	Returns a picture object. Available only on 32-bit platforms.
Log Function	Returns the natural logarithm of a number.
LTrim Function	Returns a copy of a string without leading spaces.
Match Object	Provides access to the read-only properties of a regular expression match.
Matches Collection	Collection of regular expression Match objects.
Mid Function	Returns a specified number of characters from a string.
Minute Function	Returns a whole number between 0 and 59, inclusive, representing the minute of the hour.
Miscellaneous Constants	List of constants that don't fit into any other category.
Mod Operator	Divides two numbers and returns only the remainder.
Month Function	Returns a whole number between 1 and 12, inclusive, representing the month of the year.
MonthName Function	Returns a string indicating the specified month.
MsgBox Constants	List of constants used with the MsgBox Function.
MsgBox Function	Displays a message in a dialog box, waits for the user to click a button, and returns a value indicating which button the user clicked.
Multiplication Operator (*)	Multiplies two numbers.
Negation Operator (-)	Indicates the negative value of a numeric expression.
Not Operator	Performs logical negation on an expression.
Now Function	Returns the current date and time according to the setting of your computer's system date and time.
Nothing	Disassociates an object variable from any actual object.
Null	Indicates that a variable contains no valid data.
Number Property	Returns or sets a numeric value specifying an error.
Oct Function	Returns a string representing the octal value of a number.
On Error Statement	Enables error-handling.
Operator Precedence	List showing the order of precedence for various operators used in VBScript.
Option Explicit Statement	Forces explicit declaration of all variables in a script.
Or Operator	Performs a logical disjunction on two expressions.
Pattern Property	Sets or returns the regular expression pattern being searched for.
Private Statement	Declares private variables and allocates storage space.
PropertyGet Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Property procedure that gets (returns) the value of a property.
PropertyLet Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Property procedure that assigns the value of a property.
PropertySet Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Property procedure that sets a reference to an object.
Public Statement	Declares public variables and allocates storage space.
Raise Method	Generates a run-time error.
Randomize Statement	Initializes the random-number generator.
ReDim Statement	Declares dynamic-array variables, and allocates or reallocates storage space at procedure level.
RegExp Object	Provides simple regular expression support.
Rem Statement	Includes explanatory remarks in a program.
Replace Function	Returns a string in which a specified substring has been replaced with another substring a specified number of times.
Replace Method	Replaces text found in a regular expression search.
RGB Function	Returns a whole number representing an RGB color value.
Right Function	Returns a specified number of characters from the right side of a string.
Rnd Function	Returns a random number.
Round Function	Returns a number rounded to a specified number of decimal places.
Run-time Errors	List VBScript run-time errors.
RTrim Function	Returns a copy of a string without trailing spaces.
ScriptEngine Function	Returns a string representing the scripting language in use.
ScriptEngineBuildVersion Function	Returns the build version number of the scripting engine in use.
ScriptEngineMajorVersion Function	Returns the major version number of the scripting engine in use.
ScriptEngineMinorVersion Function	Returns the minor version number of the scripting engine in use.
Second Function	Returns a whole number between 0 and 59, inclusive, representing the second of the minute.
Select Case Statement	Executes one of several groups of statements, depending on the value of an expression.
Set Statement	Assigns an object reference to a variable or property.
SetLocale Function	Sets the global locale and returns the previous locale.
Sgn Function	Returns an integer indicating the sign of a number.
Sin Function	Returns the sine of an angle.
Source Property	Returns or sets the name of the object or application that originally generated the error.
Space Function	Returns a string consisting of the specified number of spaces.
Split Function	Returns a zero-based, one-dimensional array containing a specified number of substrings.
Sqr Function	Returns the square root of a number.
StrComp Function	Returns a value indicating the result of a string comparison.
String Constants	List of string constants.
String Function	Returns a repeating character string of the length specified.
StrReverse Function	Returns a string in which the character order of a specified string is reversed.
Sub Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Sub procedure.
Subtraction Operator (-)	Finds the difference between two numbers or indicates the negative value of a numeric expression.
Syntax Errors	List VBScript syntax errors.
Tan Function	Returns the tangent of an angle.
Terminate Event	Occurs when an instance of the associated class is terminated.
Test Method	Executes a regular expression search against a specified string.
Time Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date indicating the current system time.
Timer Function	Returns the number of seconds that have elapsed since 12:00 AM (midnight).
TimeSerial Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date containing the time for a specific hour, minute, and second.
TimeValue Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date containing the time.
Trim Function	Returns a copy of a string without leading or trailing spaces.
Tristate Constants	Use them anywhere in your code to represent the values shown for each.
True	Keyword that has a value equal to -1.
TypeName Function	Returns a string that provides Variant subtype information about a variable.
UBound Function	Returns the largest available subscript for the indicated dimension of an array.
UCase Function	Returns a string that has been converted to uppercase.
Value Property	Returns the value or text of a match found in a search string.
VarType Constants	List of constants that define Variant subtypes.
VarType Function	Returns a value indicating the subtype of a variable.
VBScript Constants	Various categories of constants provided in VBScript.
Weekday Function	Returns a whole number representing the day of the week.
WeekdayName Function	Returns a string indicating the specified day of the week.
While...Wend Statement	Executes a series of statements as long as a given condition is True.
With Statement	Executes a series of statements on a single object.
Xor Operator	Performs a logical exclusion on two expressions.
Year Function	Returns a whole number representing the year.

Language Element	Description
Color Constants	List of color constants.
Comparison Constants	List of constants used in comparison operations.
Date and Time Constants	List of constants defining days of week and other constants used in Date and Time operations.
Date Format Constants	List of constants used to format dates and times.
Locale ID (LCID) Chart	List of Locale ID's and their associated values.
Miscellaneous Constants	List of constants that don't fit into any other category.
MsgBox Constants	List of constants used with the MsgBox Function.
String Constants	List of string constants.
Tristate Constants	Use them anywhere in your code to represent the values shown for each.
VarType Constants	List of constants that define Variant subtypes.
VBScript Constants	Various categories of constants provided in VBScript.

Language Element	Description
Abs Function	Returns the absolute value of a number.
Array Function	Returns a Variant containing an array.
Asc Function	Returns the ANSI character code corresponding to the first letter in a string.
Atn Function	Returns the arctangent of a number.
CBool Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Boolean.
CByte Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Byte.
CCur Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Currency.
CDate Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Date.
CDbl Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Double.
Chr Function	Returns the character associated with the specified ANSI character code.
CInt Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Integer.
CLng Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Long.
Cos Function	Returns the cosine of an angle.
CreateObject Function	Creates and returns a reference to an Automation object.
CSng Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype Single.
CStr Function	Returns an expression that has been converted to a Variant of subtype String.
Date Function	Returns the current system date.
DateAdd Function	Returns a date to which a specified time interval has been added.
DateDiff Function	Returns the number of intervals between two dates.
DatePart Function	Returns the specified part of a given date.
DateSerial Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date for a specified year, month, and day.
DateValue Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date.
Day Function	Returns a whole number between 1 and 31, inclusive, representing the day of the month.
Eval Function	Evaluates an expression and returns the result.
Exp Function	Returns e (the base of natural logarithms) raised to a power.
Filter Function	Returns a zero-based array containing subset of a string array based on a specified filter criteria.
Fix Function	Returns the integer portion of a number.
FormatCurrency Function	Returns an expression formatted as a currency value using the currency symbol defined in the system control panel.
FormatDateTime Function	Returns an expression formatted as a date or time.
FormatNumber Function	Returns an expression formatted as a number.
FormatPercent Function	Returns an expression formatted as a percentage (multiplied by 100) with a trailing % character.
GetLocale Function	Returns the current locale ID value.
GetObject Function	Returns a reference to an Automation object from a file.
GetRef Function	Returns a reference to a procedure that can be bound to an event.
Hex Function	Returns a string representing the hexadecimal value of a number.
Hour Function	Returns a whole number between 0 and 23, inclusive, representing the hour of the day.
InputBox Function	Displays a prompt in a dialog box, waits for the user to input text or click a button, and returns the contents of the text box.
InStr Function	Returns the position of the first occurrence of one string within another.
InStrRev Function	Returns the position of an occurrence of one string within another, from the end of string.
Int Function	Returns the integer portion of a number.
IsArray Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether a variable is an array.
IsDate Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether an expression can be converted to a date.
IsEmpty Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether a variable has been initialized.
IsNull Function	Returns a Boolean value that indicates whether an expression contains no valid data (Null).
IsNumeric Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether an expression can be evaluated as a number.
IsObject Function	Returns a Boolean value indicating whether an expression references a valid Automation object.
Join Function	Returns a string created by joining a number of substrings contained in an array.
LBound Function	Returns the smallest available subscript for the indicated dimension of an array.
LCase Function	Returns a string that has been converted to lowercase.
Left Function	Returns a specified number of characters from the left side of a string.
Len Function	Returns the number of characters in a string or the number of bytes required to store a variable.
LoadPicture Function	Returns a picture object. Available only on 32-bit platforms.
Log Function	Returns the natural logarithm of a number.
LTrim Function	Returns a copy of a string without leading spaces.
Mid Function	Returns a specified number of characters from a string.
Minute Function	Returns a whole number between 0 and 59, inclusive, representing the minute of the hour.
Month Function	Returns a whole number between 1 and 12, inclusive, representing the month of the year.
MonthName Function	Returns a string indicating the specified month.
MsgBox Function	Displays a message in a dialog box, waits for the user to click a button, and returns a value indicating which button the user clicked.
Now Function	Returns the current date and time according to the setting of your computer's system date and time.
Oct Function	Returns a string representing the octal value of a number.
Replace Function	Returns a string in which a specified substring has been replaced with another substring a specified number of times.
RGB Function	Returns a whole number representing an RGB color value.
Right Function	Returns a specified number of characters from the right side of a string.
Rnd Function	Returns a random number.
Round Function	Returns a number rounded to a specified number of decimal places.
RTrim Function	Returns a copy of a string without trailing spaces.
ScriptEngine Function	Returns a string representing the scripting language in use.
ScriptEngineBuildVersion Function	Returns the build version number of the scripting engine in use.
ScriptEngineMajorVersion Function	Returns the major version number of the scripting engine in use.
ScriptEngineMinorVersion Function	Returns the minor version number of the scripting engine in use.
Second Function	Returns a whole number between 0 and 59, inclusive, representing the second of the minute.
SetLocale Function	Sets the global locale and returns the previous locale.
Sgn Function	Returns an integer indicating the sign of a number.
Sin Function	Returns the sine of an angle.
Space Function	Returns a string consisting of the specified number of spaces.
Split Function	Returns a zero-based, one-dimensional array containing a specified number of substrings.
Sqr Function	Returns the square root of a number.
StrComp Function	Returns a value indicating the result of a string comparison.
String Function	Returns a repeating character string of the length specified.
StrReverse Function	Returns a string in which the character order of a specified string is reversed.
Tan Function	Returns the tangent of an angle.
Time Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date indicating the current system time.
Timer Function	Returns the number of seconds that have elapsed since 12:00 AM (midnight).
TimeSerial Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date containing the time for a specific hour, minute, and second.
TimeValue Function	Returns a Variant of subtype Date containing the time.
Trim Function	Returns a copy of a string without leading or trailing spaces.
TypeName Function	Returns a string that provides Variant subtype information about a variable.
UBound Function	Returns the largest available subscript for the indicated dimension of an array.
UCase Function	Returns a string that has been converted to uppercase.
VarType Function	Returns a value indicating the subtype of a variable.
Weekday Function	Returns a whole number representing the day of the week.
WeekdayName Function	Returns a string indicating the specified day of the week.
Year Function	Returns a whole number representing the year.

Language Element	Description
Clear Method	Clears all property settings of the Err object.
Execute Method	Executes a regular expression search against a specified string.
Raise Method	Generates a run-time error.
Replace Method	Replaces text found in a regular expression search.
Test Method	Executes a regular expression search against a specified string.

Language Element	Description
Class Object	Provides access to the events of a created class.
Dictionary Object	Object that stores data key, item pairs.
Err Object	Contains information about run-time errors.
FileSystemObject Object	Provides access to a computer's file system.
Match Object	Provides access to the read-only properties of a regular expression match.
Matches Collection	Collection of regular expression Match objects.
RegExp Object	Provides simple regular expression support.

Language Element	Description
Addition Operator (+)	Sums two numbers.
And Operator	Performs a logical conjunction on two expressions.
Assignment Operator (=)	Assigns a value to a variable or property.
Concatenation Operator (&)	Forces string concatenation of two expressions.
Division Operator (/)	Divides two numbers and returns a floating-point result.
Eqv Operator	Performs a logical equivalence on two expressions.
Exponentiation Operator (^)	Raises a number to the power of an exponent.
Imp Operator	Performs a logical implication on two expressions.
Integer Division Operator (\)	Divides two numbers and returns an integer result.
Is Operator	Compares two object reference variables.
Mod Operator	Divides two numbers and returns only the remainder.
Multiplication Operator (*)	Multiplies two numbers.
Negation Operator (-)	Indicates the negative value of a numeric expression.
Not Operator	Performs logical negation on an expression.
Operator Precedence	List showing the order of precedence for various operators used in VBScript.
Or Operator	Performs a logical disjunction on two expressions.
Subtraction Operator (-)	Finds the difference between two numbers or indicates the negative value of a numeric expression.
Xor Operator	Performs a logical exclusion on two expressions.

Language Element	Description
Description Property	Returns or sets a descriptive string associated with an error.
FirstIndex Property	Returns the position in a search string where a match occurs.
Global Property	Sets or returns a Boolean value.
HelpContext Property	Sets or returns a context ID for a topic in a Help File.
HelpFile Property	Sets or returns a fully qualified path to a Help File
IgnoreCase Property	Sets or returns a Boolean value that indicates if a pattern search is case-sensitive or not.
Length Property	Returns the length of a match found in a search string.
Number Property	Returns or sets a numeric value specifying an error.
Pattern Property	Sets or returns the regular expression pattern being searched for.
Source Property	Returns or sets the name of the object or application that originally generated the error.
Value Property	Returns the value or text of a match found in a search string.

Language Element	Description
Call Statement	Transfers control to a Sub or Function procedure.
Class Statement	Declares the name of a class.
Const Statement	Declares constants for use in place of literal values.
Dim Statement	Declares variables and allocates storage space.
Do...Loop Statement	Repeats a block of statements while a condition is True or until a condition becomes True.
Erase Statement	Reinitializes the elements of fixed-size arrays and deallocates dynamic-array storage space.
Execute Statement	Executes one or more specified statements.
ExecuteGlobal Statement	Executes one or more specified statements in the global namespace of a script.
Exit Statement	Exits a block of Do...Loop, For...Next, Function, or Sub code.
For...Next Statement	Repeats a group of statements a specified number of times.
For Each...Next Statement	Repeats a group of statements for each element in an array or collection.
Function Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Function procedure.
If...Then...Else Statement	Conditionally executes a group of statements, depending on the value of an expression.
On Error Statement	Enables error-handling.
Option Explicit Statement	Forces explicit declaration of all variables in a script.
Private Statement	Declares private variables and allocates storage space.
PropertyGet Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Property procedure that gets (returns) the value of a property.
PropertyLet Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Property procedure that assigns the value of a property.
PropertySet Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Property procedure that sets a reference to an object.
Public Statement	Declares public variables and allocates storage space.
Randomize Statement	Initializes the random-number generator.
ReDim Statement	Declares dynamic-array variables and allocates or reallocates storage space at procedure level.
Rem Statement	Includes explanatory remarks in a program.
Select Case Statement	Executes one of several groups of statements, depending on the value of an expression.
Set Statement	Assigns an object reference to a variable or property.
Sub Statement	Declares the name, arguments, and code that form the body of a Sub procedure.
While...Wend Statement	Executes a series of statements as long as a given condition is True.
With Statement	Executes a series of statements on a single object.