XL97: Error Using Natural Language Formula in a Macro (172370)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

This article was previously published under Q172370

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 professionals 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 a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site: To work around this problem, write the formula to a cell on a worksheet and then evaluate the formula from the worksheet. The following sample macro demonstrates how to do this:
   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.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/23/2005
Keywords:kbbug kbdtacode kberrmsg kbmacro KB172370