Need to dynamically select which DLL to use (versions)

[alistairpaul]

I have a small program that uses the MS Word 9 Object library.

All it does it use the Word.Application and Word.Document objects and their properties/methods. I don't care if the end-user has MS Word 97, or 2000.

How can I code the app to use the appropriate DLL, or exit if they have no MS Word installed? Right now, I just set a reference to the MS Word 9 Obj. Lib.

Thanks!! If my post was helpful, please Mark it below. Thanks! - Al

 

[JohnYingling]

I debug using the reference but when compiling for release I get rid of the reference, use a conditional compile to use OBJECT instead of specifc definition, use constants for the wd... values.

#If blnRelease = True then
    Dim objAppl  as Word.Application
#else
    Dim objAppl  as object
#End if
Set objAppl = CreateObject("Word.Application")

This way you have a generic interface.
I also test out scenarios using VBS script tp "exercise" Office Applications. I get the code by recording macros inside Office and "porting" the code.

http://WWW.VBCompare.Com

 

[chiph]

Do like John says, and link at runtime by typing your variable as an object. After doing a CreateObject against the Word ProgID ("Word.Application&quot, you can check it for Nothing to see if it suceeded.

Chip H.