WD: Using SetDocumentVar to Store Variables in Documents (106388)

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The following sample macro uses the SetDocumentVar statement to store the contents of the A$ string variable with the current document under the name "FullName." When the string value needs to be returned, the GetDocumentVar$ function is used with the document variable name "FullName."

NOTE: Document variables that are added to a template are stored in all new documents that are based on the template.

   Sub MAIN
      A$ = "Jeff Smith"
      SetDocumentVar "FullName", A$   'Set contents of A$ in document
      Name$ = GetDocumentVar$("FullName")   'retrieves contents of variable
      Msgbox Name$
   End Sub
				

To ensure that the document variable has been set correctly, use the SetDocumentVar() function instead of the statement form. The SetDocumentVar() function returns -1 if the document variable was set successfully.

For example:

   Sub MAIN
      A$ = "Jeff Smith"
      n = SetDocumentVar("FullName", A$)   'Set contents of A$ in document
      If n = -1 then
         Name$ = GetDocumentVar$("FullName")'retrieves contents of variable
         Msgbox Name$
      Else
         Msgbox "Document variable not set."
      End If
   End Sub
				

After a macro is finished running, the values of the macro variables are not saved. If you need to preserve a value between sessions of a macro, you can store values using any of the following methods:

• Use SetPrivateProfileString to store values to a private settings file.
• Use SetDocumentVar to store values in a document.
• Use SetProfileString to store values in the Win.ini file.
• Use the WordBasic File Input/Output statements to write to a text file (for example, Write or Print statements).
• Use SetAutoText to store values in an AutoText entry.