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

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For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

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
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