XL98: Len Function Returns Only 255 Characters in Cell (182481)

SYMPTOMS

In a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications macro in Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition, if you use the Len function to calculate the number of characters in an object, such as a cell, you may receive the incorrect result, 255.

CAUSE

This occurs if the following conditions are true:

The object contains more than 255 characters.

-and-
You use the Text property of the object inside the Len function, for example
```
Len(ActiveCell.Text)
					
```

The Text property of an object returns only the first 255 characters in the object.

RESOLUTION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to 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 requirements. To determine the correct number of characters within an object, use the Value property within the Len function, as in the following example:

   Len(ActiveCell.Value)

MORE INFORMATION

You can use the Len function in Visual Basic for Applications to calculate the number of characters within a cell in a worksheet or within any other object that contains text.

If you use the Len function to calculate the number of characters contained in an object, and if you use the Text property of the object, the maximum result is 255. This may cause problems if the object in question contains more than 255 characters. For additional information about the Text property in Microsoft Excel, please click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

182483 XL98: Text Property Limited to 255 Characters