VB/Word - Making lines read only

[Phillip Wu]

Hi,

I'm trying to write an Visual Basic application that starts Microsoft
Word to allow a user to edit a text file.

However the first line is a header and the last line is a trailer and
I don't want the user to delete these lines. Also when the user exits
from Word (closes the file or exits Word) I want the control to be
returned to the VB application so that I can update the trailer.

I am new to VB with Word so please bear with me. There are not many
resources on the Web to assist.

What I need to know is:
1) Is there an easy way to make the line read-only? Line in this case
is the same as the Sentences object. If not would I have to trap all
the insert/replace/delete events and beep if the user is on the first
or last line?

2) Is there some sample code showing how I can start Word in VB AND
take back control when the user closes the file?

Thanks for any assistance

 

[Jezebel]

Hi,

I'm trying to write an Visual Basic application that starts Microsoft
Word to allow a user to edit a text file.

However the first line is a header and the last line is a trailer and
I don't want the user to delete these lines. Also when the user exits
from Word (closes the file or exits Word) I want the control to be
returned to the VB application so that I can update the trailer.

I am new to VB with Word so please bear with me. There are not many
resources on the Web to assist.

What I need to know is:
1) Is there an easy way to make the line read-only? Line in this case
is the same as the Sentences object. If not would I have to trap all
the insert/replace/delete events and beep if the user is on the first
or last line?

You can break the document in three sections: header, body, trailer, and
then protect the first and last. Not fool-proof, but if you don't mind
having section breaks in the document, it might be sufficient. There's no
other way to make parts of a document read-only. Forget about trapping the
insert etc events. Alternatively, don't worry about it while the user is
editing but check, in the Document_BeforeSave event, whether the header and
trailer are as you need them to be and correct if necessary.

2) Is there some sample code showing how I can start Word in VB AND
take back control when the user closes the file?

Use early binding. Declare your Word application reference 'with events' and
put the appropriate event code in your VB app. However 'take back control'
is a slightly dubious concept in an object-oriented language like VB. But at
least your app is notified that the user has closed with the document or
quit Word.