Need to learn VBA for Word

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khmoffat - 16 Jan 2006 22:33 GMT

Looking for a book or resource that would "really" help users learn how to
program VBA for word.

I have been to Barnes and Noble and came away frustrated. The books I found
talked about various vba subjects but did not explain it in simple terms and
supply a list of vba commands that could be used.

For the benefit of all of us can a suggestion be made for the Beginner,
Novice, Intermediate, and the expert.

Suggestions please.

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Anne Troy - 17 Jan 2006 03:46 GMT

Most people will tell you (I think) that learning VBA is:
--easier done using Excel first, particularly if your user experience with
Excel is about the same as with Word.
--easier learned by using the help files and trial and error
--even some of the BEST programmers will record a macro to get an object
name so they can continue working with it
--Try www.VBAexpress.com and their knowledgebase. It's free.
Also get our new book, which has MANY common macros, and explains what to do
to alter them:
http://www.mrexcel.com/
You can get a list of objects, properties, methods from the VBA help.
************
Hope it helps!
Anne Troy
www.OfficeArticles.com

> Looking for a book or resource that would "really" help users learn how to
> program VBA for word.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Suggestions please.

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Jean-Guy Marcil - 17 Jan 2006 18:04 GMT

Anne Troy was telling us:
Anne Troy nous racontait que :

> Most people will tell you (I think) that learning VBA is:
> --easier done using Excel first, particularly if your user experience
> with Excel is about the same as with Word.

Well, the poster wants to learn VBA for Word (See subject line).
The Excel Object library is totally different and the
template/toolbars/events are totally different as well.
I remember when I first started coding some basic Excel VBA, I had to keep
reminding myself to forget about Word VBA and learn from scratch (One basic
difference that took me sometimes to get used to is the Range/Selection
object difference...)

If he is going to learn VBA for Excel, he will not be able to transfer most
of it to Word, except for programming concepts that have nothing to do with
Word or Excel (Such as using variables, loops, error handling, etc..)
So, if the goal is to create code for Words, he should learn VBA through
Word, not Excel.

What could be useful though, is to learn basic VB6 programming, which will
be useful for VBA for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio, etc. At
least as long as VBA will be based on VB6!

> --easier learned by using the help files and trial and error
> --even some of the BEST programmers will record a macro to get an
> object name so they can continue working with it
> --Try www.VBAexpress.com and their knowledgebase. It's free.

Also, for a quick start see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/MacrosVBA/VBABasicsIn15Mins.htm
Then,
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/MacrosVBA/UsingRecorder.htm
which must be followed by
http://word.mvps.org/faqs/macrosvba/ModifyRecordedMacro.htm
Finally, check out the Macros/VBA tab at
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/index.htm

Signature

Salut!
_______________________________________
Jean-Guy Marcil - Word MVP
jmarcilREMOVE@CAPSsympatico.caTHISTOO
Word MVP site: http://www.word.mvps.org

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Kevin B - 17 Jan 2006 13:26 GMT

I highly recommend "Word 200 Developer's Handbook", written by Guy Hart-Davis
and published by Sybex. I have found this to be an invaluable resource.

Although the book is out of print I was able to purchase a new copy from
Amazon, which also has used copies for sale as well.

Good luck...

Signature

Kevin Backmann

> Looking for a book or resource that would "really" help users learn how to
> program VBA for word.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Suggestions please.

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David Sisson - 17 Jan 2006 14:56 GMT

It's been a while since I bought a Word VBA book. The last one I
bought is for Word 97 by Guy Hart-Davis. I still refer to it
occasionally.

Writing Word Macros (Oct 1999) by Steven Roman is another that I have
that I find useful. More advanced than the first. He gets into tables
a good bit deeper than the other book. Just what I needed at the time.

I also find it frustrating, looking at programming books in the book
store.

I would suggesting searching Amazon (or any other outlet that has
consumer reviews) and read the feedbacks on the books. See if other
people like the 'beginner' books. Were they too elementary?

Of course a lot of this depends on you. You failed to disclose how
much programming knowledge you have. If you're just starting out
programming anything, then the beginner books are defintely the way to
go. Until you understand Word's object model and how it interacts with
Word operation, you'll have a tough go.

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