Using variables in object names in Word VBA

[zandsc1]

Hi everyone -

This seems basic enough that I thought I would be able to figure it out, but for whatever reason I can't find the correct method that will allow me to use variables in object names when programming in word. Here's what I'm trying to do:

My company has a word document with work instructions in it for every product we make. Each set of work instructions has between 1 and 15 steps depending on complexity. I am trying to implement barcodes into our word documents so our operators can scan the barcodes when signing into our time tracking database.

Now each barcode has information in it that is static (job number, step number) but also information that is dynamic - mainly the lot number. Each time someone prints off the work instructions I want to ask them what the lot number is and then go through the barcodes in the document editing them so they read correctly. I've found a method for updating the barcodes so that's not really an issue, but actually referencing the barcodes is problematic.

I've named each barcode barcode1, barcode2, etc, so I want to be able to use an i variable and loop and tell the program to update each barcode it comes across. If I were programing in Access I could simply say

i=1
Do
me.controls("barcode" & i) = (set text here)
i=i+1
Loop

but I can't find the equivalent of the .controls method for Word VBA. Does anyone have a suggestion about how I might do this?

 

[SkipVought]

Hi,

It escapes me why you are using controls. All a barcode is, is a FONT.

You REPEAT the data value either on the same row or the same column and simply format one of the values with a barcode font {using the necessary leading and trailing control/delimiter charater(s)}

Skip,

_{Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE!}

 

[SkipVought]

This may be one of those instances where it is not clear what kind of application ought to be used: a word processor or a spreadsheet.

I would opt for Excel, because a work document as you describe, is very much a table (although it might be folded to accomodate more data in a row than can fit on a page)

Your apparent dilema, the variable data values, could be accomodated much easier, although they could be done in Word, using a MailMerge approch.

In the more general approch, the entire table would be variable, although the same instructions might appear on every document for a particular line item. It might be referred to as a 'Standard Instruction', stored & maintained in ONE PLACE and spawned to each work document at the time the work is issued. That is normally the way in which it is done.
[tt]
OPER INSTRUCTION RESOURCE STD_HRS BUY_OFF
[/tt]


Skip,

_{Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE!}

 

[zandsc1]

Skip -

Thanks for your responses and advice. If it's not apparent enough already I'm a bit green when it comes to word VBA (I've managed to teach myself Access VBA well enough but now I feel like I'm starting over...).

The problem with using excel is that all of these documents exist in Word already. I was hoping to use an ActiveX barcode plugin that I found to simply insert the barcodes into the existing word documents and then just modify the barcodes when I print off the documents so they include the lot number.

I'm curious about your first suggestion of using the barcode font. It could work to insert a string into the documents that is unique (XXXX-XXXX) and do a find/replace with the text that I want and then format it into a barcode. I'm guessing that I'll need to download a barcode font and install it on the computers that would use it. I'm off to do some research...

 

[SkipVought]

It's not a 'find/replace'

It's a FONT! That would be 'find and FORMAT'

Skip,

_{Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE!}

 

[fumei]

Are you using controls like these, as a plug-in?

Gerry

 

[zandsc1]

Similar, yes. I've been using a demo version of TbarCode (

http://www.tec-it.com/en/software/barcode-software/tbarcode/overview/Default.aspx)

 

[fumei]

If this is accurate, then Skip it could very well be that the OP is not using the normal way via barcode fonts.

" but actually referencing the barcodes is problematic.

I've named each barcode barcode1, barcode2, etc, so I want to be able to use an i variable and loop and tell the program to update each barcode it comes across."

1. You must indeed reference the ActiveX control by name. The fact it is a barcode is completly irrelevant...thus the second part "update each barcode it comes across" has no meaning. VBA has no idea it is a barcode (unless of course you tell it).

2. ActiveX controls in the document - as opposed to a userform - are not, so to speak, controls. You reference them as InlineShapes. I mean, they ARE controls, but in the document they are InlineShapes.

3. Use the ThisDocument code module. Document ActiveX controls can be referernced by name only from there. Otherwise, you have to fully qualify them.
4. Your code:

i=1
Do
    me.controls("barcode" & i) = (set text here)
    i=i+1
Loop

appears to putting the SAME TEXT into all of the controls. Is this correct???? If it is, why bother with your i variable?

Dim ctl As InlineShape

For Each ctl In ActiveDocument.InlineShapes
   If Left(ctl.OLEFormat.Object.Name, 7) = "barcode" Then
      ctl.OLEFormat.Object.Text = "Yadda"
   End If
Next

puts "Yadda" into all InlineShapes whose name starts with "barcode"




Gerry

 

[zandsc1]

Gerry -

Thanks for your additional input. I should have noted from the start that these are ActiveX controls, realizing that the fact that they are barcodes is not necessarily important.

The solution you posted seems like it would work perfectly for what I'm trying to do. You're right that I don't need the i variable at all, the way you've done it seems much simpler.