automating Word with VBA 1

[mckinlay]

I am in the process of preparing some admin templates using MS word. The idea is to have a basic wizard to auto enter a few details in the template which is easy enough. What I have been asked for is a document that will display 'page 1 of x' on the first page if doc is more than one page and display nothing if not. Obviously this can't always be determined at the creating.... can anybody think of a away to do this?

 

[FXP]

Take a look at the menu bar selection Insert. Under insert select Page Numbers and Format. You can set the template to start numbering after the first page. If you want to put it in code, run the Macro Recorder. Good luck.

 

[fumei]

I don't think the OP is asking about starting numbering after page 1. The question is to have nothing if there is only one page, but Page X of Y if there IS more than one page.

I think that means having Page 1 of X on the first page if X > 1.

I think.

In which case, you can set up an IF field in the footer like this:

{IF { NUMPAGES \* MERGEFORMAT } > 1 {AUTOTEXT "Page X of Y" \* MERGEFORMAT} "" \MERGEFORMAT }

IF fields operate as:

IF Expression operator Expression True Text False Text

so, IF NUMPAGES (in document) > 1 True Text = AutoText entry "Page X of Y" False Text ""

If NUMPAGES is 1 then the field text is "", if > 1 then the field text is "Page X of Y", where X is current page number (including 1 on the first page), and Y is numpages in document.

Things could get tricky if you are using Different first page in your header/footer; or Section breaks with different starting page numbers, but for a simple document, the field code should work fine.

Note that you can NOT just type in the curly brackets. You must either use Insert > Field, or use Ctrl-F9 to enter the field parameters. It will not work if you copy and paste the field code posted here.

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[fumei]

Oh, and yes, it could also be done with VBA. However, I would be with macropod on this one....<grin>

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[mckinlay]

Hi Gerry, I can't get the field to work.... I have entered the code as described but no joy... can you shed some light on this? I'm getting a >1 on every page!

 

[ck1999]

mckinlay

fumei formfield text works what you have to do is highlight where he has parathensis and then hit ctl-f9 like he says to make a formfield

so

highlight the entire
{IF { NUMPAGES \* MERGEFORMAT } > 1 {AUTOTEXT "Page X of Y" \* MERGEFORMAT} "" \MERGEFORMAT }
hit ctl-f9
remove the lighter colored brackets
then highlight
{ NUMPAGES \* MERGEFORMAT }
hit ctl-f9
remove the lighter colored brackets
then highlight
{AUTOTEXT "Page X of Y" \* MERGEFORMAT}
hit ctl-f9

and then go to print preview and it should work

ck1999

 

[stevexff]

While you can do this, and 'the customer is always right', I can't help feeling that the requirement is flawed. If you pick up a sheet of paper, and it says 'Page 1 of 1' on it, you know you have the whole document in your hand.

Just my 2d's worth...

Steve

[small]"Every program can be reduced by one instruction, and every program has at least one bug. Therefore, any program can be reduced to one instruction which doesn't work." (Object:erlDesignPatterns)[/small]

 

[mckinlay]

Thanks guys... your help has saved me many headaches!!!!

 

[fumei]

Steve...bravo! I agree. I responded only to the actual question, but you are IMO correct. I have no idea why there is this reluctance to have 1 of 1. I have come across this many times myself. One page - nothing. Two pages - 1 of 2, 2 of 2.

But...shrug...there you go.

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[mckinlay]

Well we are a design agency and i have many creative heads to please..... practicality over aesthetics!

 

[fumei]

Oh, I don't think anyone would suggest any argument that we all (at times) simply have to do what we have to do. Or rather, at times, when we do not have control...just shrug and get on with it.

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[macropod]

Hi mckinaly,

The field coding can be greatly simplified, to:
{IF{NUMPAGES}> 1 "{PAGE} of {NUMPAGES}"}

Cheers

[MS MVP - Word]

 

[fumei]

I knew you would come up with a better way.

mackinlay, macropod is THE Word field expert here. And if possible will post (again, I know) the link to one of the best documents on using Word fields there is.

....hint...

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[macropod]

Hi Gerry,

I'm not sure whether you're referring to my Date Calc 'tutorial', at:

http://www.wopr.com/cgi-bin/w3t/showthreaded.pl?Number=249902

or my Word Field Maths 'tutorial', at:

http://www.wopr.com/cgi-bin/w3t/showthreaded.pl?Number=365442

but neither of them goes into page numbering.

Perhaps I should create a tutorial document on page numbering fields too.

Cheers

[MS MVP - Word]

 

[fumei]

Nah, I just wanted you to post both of those. The page numbering specific was not the real point. Those articles are some of the best ever written (that I have seen) and I simply wanted them known/visible again.

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[mckinlay]

Can someone help me change this to make autotext 'confinfo' appear only when the document is one page and to dissapear if the document runs onto two pages? I guess I need to create a different first page but can this IF command me applied?

{IF{NUMPAGES}> 1 "{PAGE} of {NUMPAGES}"}

 

[macropod]

Hi mckinlay,

Try adding "confinfo" to the existing field:
{IF{NUMPAGES}> 1 "{PAGE} of {NUMPAGES}" "confinfo"}

Cheers

[MS MVP - Word]

 

[mckinlay]

I've tried entering {IF{NUMPAGES}> 1 "{PAGE} of {NUMPAGES}" "confinfo"} and highlighting everything and pressing ctrl F9.... nothing is displayed in preview. Should I be using a 'less than' to work?

 

[macropod]

Hi mckinlay,

The coding outputs "X of Y" (where "X" = PAGE# and "Y" = #PAGES) if the document has more than one page, and "confinfo" otherwise.

Your problem description sounds like you coded the field as:
{IF{NUMPAGES}> 1 "{PAGE} of {NUMPAGES} confinfo"}

Cheers

[MS MVP - Word]

 

[mckinlay]

That works but all i get now is ConfInfo and not the autotext i've saved as ConfInfo!!! Do I have to use AUTOTEXT somewhere?