Word VBA Stability and Temp Files Question
We have a new IT Director. She seems to think that VBA macros with dialog boxes are unstable and create "zillions" of temp files. Her ideal idea of a template is a blank document with blank lines in it that you open and type in. She says "The simpler, the better." She said that when the dialog boxes come up, they use too much resource and cause problems. I am in developer's hell.
Granted - we get an occasional winword.exe error when running one of the more complex macros but again, that is only occasional.
In any event, now she wants me to look into "macro packages" to purchase. I think she wants the ones that users can create their own templates on the fly more or less. If anyone can recommend one that would be terrific (even though I don't want them to purchase one).
Also, if anyone can address any of these issues so I have some information to bolster my position, I would really really appreciate it. Otherwise, I may be looking for employment elsewhere.
Many thanks to all.
Joanne
Granted - we get an occasional winword.exe error when running one of the more complex macros but again, that is only occasional.
In any event, now she wants me to look into "macro packages" to purchase. I think she wants the ones that users can create their own templates on the fly more or less. If anyone can recommend one that would be terrific (even though I don't want them to purchase one).
Also, if anyone can address any of these issues so I have some information to bolster my position, I would really really appreciate it. Otherwise, I may be looking for employment elsewhere.
Many thanks to all.
Joanne
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Better check her portfolio :)
ASKER
Hey Dreamie! I miss you!
Hope you're doing well. As you can tell - I'm not. You want to know the real kicker of the whole thing.... she's been here over six months and HAS YET TO SEE the templates. She's never used them.... EVER. She said she doesn't need "all that law stuff" - she said I "just go into Word and create it".
Lord help me....
Hope you're doing well. As you can tell - I'm not. You want to know the real kicker of the whole thing.... she's been here over six months and HAS YET TO SEE the templates. She's never used them.... EVER. She said she doesn't need "all that law stuff" - she said I "just go into Word and create it".
Lord help me....
I actually went into your profile last night to see the last time you posted 'cause I thought you done up and disappeared on us. :)
Tell them to give us the $51,000 and you 'n me will whip up some templates. :D
ASKER
I hear ya Anne! What a team!
Also, she said she doesn't think all those boxes popping up are necessary for users to type in. They should just open the "template" and type in it.
P.S. - I almost had disappeared.... but luckily I posted yesterday :)
Also, she said she doesn't think all those boxes popping up are necessary for users to type in. They should just open the "template" and type in it.
P.S. - I almost had disappeared.... but luckily I posted yesterday :)
LOL
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>>Did she work for FEMA
LOL!!
LOL!!
ASKER
LOL Matt! FEMA! You are funny...
I think her concern is that it makes her look bad if someone gets a winword.exe error message. She seems to think the only thing that causes winword.exe errors are my macros. She claims everyone complains about getting winword.exe errors but I checked our HelpDesk database and there is NOT ONE call in there about that error message.
Thanks for the advice Matt. I am seriously considering changing jobs - unfortunate after 25+ years here...
Hope to see you soon and thanks for the advice!
Joanne
I think her concern is that it makes her look bad if someone gets a winword.exe error message. She seems to think the only thing that causes winword.exe errors are my macros. She claims everyone complains about getting winword.exe errors but I checked our HelpDesk database and there is NOT ONE call in there about that error message.
Thanks for the advice Matt. I am seriously considering changing jobs - unfortunate after 25+ years here...
Hope to see you soon and thanks for the advice!
Joanne
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Oh my goodness!
I've gotten so many responses here. I wasn't quite sure I'd get this much input but to me what she's proposing almost seems like sacrilege! The users have been using these macros for about eight years now and I can't believe she wants to take away the functionality that they provide. If you could see these macros, you would be impressed. As I recall, was probably paid about $15,000 for the letter template to be converted to VBA from WP 5.1 DOS.
And kenpuls. Thanks so much for your input. Of course, I personally don't attribute the winword.exe errors to the macros but she does. We have found in the past that they can even be caused by hardware or network issues. Actually, I rarely use input boxes but mostly use VBA user forms that distribute the information through DOCVARIABLES. This has worked flawlessly for both the firm and me. I connect to both an Access database with user information and our Groupwise 6 address books to pull the addresses into the Word templates.
And Tony - yes
>>an IT Director who plainly doesn't understand IT
I'm scared.
I have planned to go speak with our Managing Partner about this issue. But I wanted to have some input from other experts to support my contentions. If this plan is implemented, I figure I'll just leave the firm and then hire myself out to the firm as a consultant to customize their templates!
>>If she's prepared to spend $50K (more than Word itself costs) to create blank templates, can I have her phone number please?
Sorry Tony - Dreamie gots first dibs... but I'm sure we can work you for a price :))
Some causes of winword.exe errors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;300861
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311741
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299925
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;220714
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302602
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316033
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812138
Thank you all for your input. I look forward to more as I'm going to print this page and refer our Managing Partner to it. Some of the best experts on the net have had their say!
Keep em coming!
I've gotten so many responses here. I wasn't quite sure I'd get this much input but to me what she's proposing almost seems like sacrilege! The users have been using these macros for about eight years now and I can't believe she wants to take away the functionality that they provide. If you could see these macros, you would be impressed. As I recall, was probably paid about $15,000 for the letter template to be converted to VBA from WP 5.1 DOS.
And kenpuls. Thanks so much for your input. Of course, I personally don't attribute the winword.exe errors to the macros but she does. We have found in the past that they can even be caused by hardware or network issues. Actually, I rarely use input boxes but mostly use VBA user forms that distribute the information through DOCVARIABLES. This has worked flawlessly for both the firm and me. I connect to both an Access database with user information and our Groupwise 6 address books to pull the addresses into the Word templates.
And Tony - yes
>>an IT Director who plainly doesn't understand IT
I'm scared.
I have planned to go speak with our Managing Partner about this issue. But I wanted to have some input from other experts to support my contentions. If this plan is implemented, I figure I'll just leave the firm and then hire myself out to the firm as a consultant to customize their templates!
>>If she's prepared to spend $50K (more than Word itself costs) to create blank templates, can I have her phone number please?
Sorry Tony - Dreamie gots first dibs... but I'm sure we can work you for a price :))
Some causes of winword.exe errors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;300861
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311741
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299925
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;220714
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302602
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316033
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812138
Thank you all for your input. I look forward to more as I'm going to print this page and refer our Managing Partner to it. Some of the best experts on the net have had their say!
Keep em coming!
The only consolation is that she sounds likely to move on quickly as soon as a something more 'suited to her potential' appears.
Can anyone tell me what FEMA is?
Can anyone tell me what FEMA is?
Federal Emergency Management, Graham.
They screwed up big time on their response to Katrina.
They screwed up big time on their response to Katrina.
ASKER
More info on the infamous FEMA:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_09/007104.php
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_09/007104.php
ASKER
>>The only consolation is that she sounds likely to move on quickly as soon as a something more 'suited to her potential' appears.
I can only hope Graham....
She's come in here - hired a person from her old job who is now "teacher's pet" and she's trying to recreate the exact structure that she had at her last job - everything to be identical so she feels secure.
I can only hope Graham....
She's come in here - hired a person from her old job who is now "teacher's pet" and she's trying to recreate the exact structure that she had at her last job - everything to be identical so she feels secure.
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Thanks Malcolm.
She may be good at the hardware stuff and projecting what we need, but when it comes to something she's never experienced before, she wants to do away with it. She doesn't even want to really discuss it because she's not in control and as I said, she's never even used the templates. Very frustrating....
Send PayPal details ASAP!
Dreamie - pack your bags!!! We're going on a big adventure!
Thanks
Joanne
She may be good at the hardware stuff and projecting what we need, but when it comes to something she's never experienced before, she wants to do away with it. She doesn't even want to really discuss it because she's not in control and as I said, she's never even used the templates. Very frustrating....
Send PayPal details ASAP!
Dreamie - pack your bags!!! We're going on a big adventure!
Thanks
Joanne
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She used documents with blank lines in them where the variable information goes Lucky and called them templates. There is no "solution" to search for....
Then find some paper with lines printed on it that fits in your printer, and use normal.dot.
Say that this is the last update of her old templates.
Say that this is the last update of her old templates.
Too funny. :)
Let's not forget her managing partner might poke their head in here. Hi, Managing Partner!! Jo's right on about this!
Personally, I'd be thinking about getting rid of this IT person if they're scoffing at such automation/standardization
Let's not forget her managing partner might poke their head in here. Hi, Managing Partner!! Jo's right on about this!
Personally, I'd be thinking about getting rid of this IT person if they're scoffing at such automation/standardization
ASKER
ROFLMAO!
Maybe I'll even give her "Kids" font....or "Upright Typo"
That's like the user who came to me with a piece of paper and asked me if I could add "dropdown" boxes to it.... seriously...very scary things out there!
Maybe I'll even give her "Kids" font....or "Upright Typo"
That's like the user who came to me with a piece of paper and asked me if I could add "dropdown" boxes to it.... seriously...very scary things out there!
ASKER
Not to worry Dreamie. No one from "on high" comes here.
Are your bags packed?
Are your bags packed?
No. I'm gonna buy all new, k?
ASKER
I like the way you think DB :)
MD - where's that account number? C'mon. Chop chop.....
MD - where's that account number? C'mon. Chop chop.....
I got his paypal. Email me for it.
I've just found a new VBAX signature :)
Yo, Graham! The check's here! :)
LOL, MD.
LOL, MD.
ASKER
Oh - my favorite Dragon! I neglected to acknowledge your comment.
And thank you. You know I trust your judgment implicitly. You know - I might suggest they purchase another version of VB. Just using VBA for years.... maybe it's time. Seems like there's so much more you can do with it.
And you're right about thinking she can remove winword.exe errors completely. It just won't happen....and I would be surprised if they got more than one or two error messages a week with 300 users. That is not a bad stat to me....
And thank you. You know I trust your judgment implicitly. You know - I might suggest they purchase another version of VB. Just using VBA for years.... maybe it's time. Seems like there's so much more you can do with it.
And you're right about thinking she can remove winword.exe errors completely. It just won't happen....and I would be surprised if they got more than one or two error messages a week with 300 users. That is not a bad stat to me....
Whilst I struggle to understand the rationale of replacing an existing bug-ridden, but understood, product with a new, undoubtedly bug-ridden, unknown product without a sound business case, I can understand your IT director's wish to replace dialog boxes with just a template that you type in sounds eminently sensible to me. Using the MacroButton field, and a DoNothing macro, you can all manner of type-over fields in the templare, sans pop-ups.
ASKER
Thanks Bob but the existing templates are far from bug-ridden. Users get occasional winword.exe errors (not always in the templates) but they get them nonetheless.
Our macros are highly sophisticated and have been written (not by me) specifically for our firm. The firm requested these features and I know for a fact that they cannot be recreated by using macrobuttons.
I don't think our users would find it sensible at all - for example. The macro selects the appropriate print trays depending on if you're printing an original letter or a cc or whatever. Our IT Director thinks the users should be made to go to Page Setup and select the print trays manually. I disagree.
But thank you for your input. I value both pro my side and agin it :)
Our macros are highly sophisticated and have been written (not by me) specifically for our firm. The firm requested these features and I know for a fact that they cannot be recreated by using macrobuttons.
I don't think our users would find it sensible at all - for example. The macro selects the appropriate print trays depending on if you're printing an original letter or a cc or whatever. Our IT Director thinks the users should be made to go to Page Setup and select the print trays manually. I disagree.
But thank you for your input. I value both pro my side and agin it :)
I appreciate that Joanne, but what I am saying in essence, that your IT director seemingly has some odd ideas, and taht isn't restricteed to IT directors, but some not so (don't underestimate how she got where she is). I would suggest that you find the points of agreement and work on those, rather than try and fight on points of disagreement.
Your point on the print tray is well made, and I agree with you on that one, but I would still advise to fight-smart.
Your point on the print tray is well made, and I agree with you on that one, but I would still advise to fight-smart.
ASKER
Thanks Bob. Believe me, I will fight smart.
As I said, I've been here 25+ years and have a great deal of credibility and respect with the lawyers. They tend to listen and trust my judgment. That being said, all I can say is I will listen, I will voice my opinion but I will not implement the new "templates." I just can't be a part of that...
As I said, I've been here 25+ years and have a great deal of credibility and respect with the lawyers. They tend to listen and trust my judgment. That being said, all I can say is I will listen, I will voice my opinion but I will not implement the new "templates." I just can't be a part of that...
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Take offence! Why? I was referring to the products not the macros, but anyway, show me someone who has never written buggy code and I will show you someone who has never written code, or a liar.
Better stick around if you want to learn something, Bob. Some of the best programmers in the world are in this thread. They're one hell of an impressive group. I bow to their expertise.
(Here it comes, Jo and Ken. Too many of us in here to resist!)
If it weren't for these wonderful experts, I would NEVER have received the email that I received today. It started like this...
>>Dear Anne, My name is ... I’m a member of the Microsoft® Most Valuable Professional (MVP) team ... I’m
>>contacting you to let you know that you were nominated to be considered for an MVP Award in recognition of your
>>contributions to technical communities over the past year.
YAY!!! (Yes. Sorry. Can't keep my mouth shut about it, but it's NOT official yet!!)
(Here it comes, Jo and Ken. Too many of us in here to resist!)
If it weren't for these wonderful experts, I would NEVER have received the email that I received today. It started like this...
>>Dear Anne, My name is ... I’m a member of the Microsoft® Most Valuable Professional (MVP) team ... I’m
>>contacting you to let you know that you were nominated to be considered for an MVP Award in recognition of your
>>contributions to technical communities over the past year.
YAY!!! (Yes. Sorry. Can't keep my mouth shut about it, but it's NOT official yet!!)
Anne :)
Congratulations - even if it's not official, and I'm sure it will be soon. Very well deserved and long overdue.
Congratulations - even if it's not official, and I'm sure it will be soon. Very well deserved and long overdue.
LOL!!!
Is that *our* BobP???
Bob!! I'm surprised at you!! I'm pretty sure that Jo wouldn't be using inefficient code. I believe she's a darn good programmer herself. I can't imagine she'd continue to use buggy code. :)
Is that *our* BobP???
Bob!! I'm surprised at you!! I'm pretty sure that Jo wouldn't be using inefficient code. I believe she's a darn good programmer herself. I can't imagine she'd continue to use buggy code. :)
An unofficial Great News DB; very much deserved.
.
.
Anne,
Way to go!
Patrick
Way to go!
Patrick
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Not yet, Dave!!! :)
ASKER
Just let us know when Anne. I seem to recall another thread I started some time ago... time for another one. It went something like this:
http://www.vbaexpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633&page=1&pp=20
God bless and hugs to you DB.
http://www.vbaexpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633&page=1&pp=20
God bless and hugs to you DB.
Dreamjboat said
Is that *our* BobP???
Bob!! I'm surprised at you!! I'm pretty sure that Jo wouldn't be using inefficient code. I believe she's a darn good programmer herself. I can't imagine she'd continue to use buggy code. :)
--------------------------
If you mean the one that you know and love from VBAX, indeed it is.
Where did I say that Jo wrote inefficeint code? As I said earlier I was referring to buggy products (such as Word, and whetever replacemnent Jo is considering). I bet she does write buggy code, we all do, the best amongst us just try and minimise it and correct it when we find out.
MVP nomination - Word or Excel? And after what you said about MVPs earlier I assume that you will refuse :-)).
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Hey Zack! Still so sorry we couldn't get together in Syracuse. Hope things are well with you. Maybe we can try again next year?
Take care,
Joanne
Take care,
Joanne
No worries Jo. We'll get it another time. Not sure if I'm gonna be able to make it out east this next year; a lot of personal things have came up. I'm hoping to make it out there at the end of May, my sister is walking for her college graduation. :D I'll let you know if it develops further.
Regards,
Zack Barresse
Regards,
Zack Barresse
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Since this thread has one of the most amazing collections of talent available, thought I'd pipe up here.
I am having a huge headache with a global template project. The latest problem is covered here:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21610507/Bizarre-problem-with-Word-global-template.html
Hoping everyone feels flattered enough to come to my aid :)
Regards,
Patrick
PS. Sorry, Joanne, for hijacking your thread...
I am having a huge headache with a global template project. The latest problem is covered here:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21610507/Bizarre-problem-with-Word-global-template.html
Hoping everyone feels flattered enough to come to my aid :)
Regards,
Patrick
PS. Sorry, Joanne, for hijacking your thread...
LOL, Patrick. Can we get anyone else (besides me and you) to hijack Jo's thread?
ASKER
LOL! Hijack away!
And to all - I plan to meet with our MP next week to discuss this. Will keep you posted. Thanks for all your valuable input.
And to all - I plan to meet with our MP next week to discuss this. Will keep you posted. Thanks for all your valuable input.
Yes, please! Keep us posted!! Hi, Jo's MP!! You've got a wonderful person working for you there. :) She is well-loved!! (And I've never even met her face-to-face...just on the phone.)
ASKER
You're too good to me DB ;)
ASKER
Daniel!
Hello! How nice to see you drop in! I am just reading your post... guess my email came in backwards :)
You know, that's really a great idea. Obviously, with 300 users, we have some very strong users and some very "not so strong" users.
I think I'll give it a try.
Thanks again to all
Joanne
Hello! How nice to see you drop in! I am just reading your post... guess my email came in backwards :)
You know, that's really a great idea. Obviously, with 300 users, we have some very strong users and some very "not so strong" users.
I think I'll give it a try.
Thanks again to all
Joanne
ASKER
OH MY! What a surprise! I didn't see Dave's post either! Hee hee - It's a generic "DB"... for both of you :)
I’ve been given a virtual blank cheque
To get all my documents hi-tech.
With a blank template setup,
Three hours with no letup,
I can now type my letter to JOrzech.
To get all my documents hi-tech.
With a blank template setup,
Three hours with no letup,
I can now type my letter to JOrzech.
Malcolm,
Is that a cry for help?
Double :)
Patrick
Is that a cry for help?
Double :)
Patrick
ASKER
MD? Hee hee - You're a poet and you don't even know it! Good to see you in the post.
You make a very good point though :) Unfortunately (in a way), we've created users who would not know how to do half the things the macros do for them.... but at least we're utilizing the software to the max!
You make a very good point though :) Unfortunately (in a way), we've created users who would not know how to do half the things the macros do for them.... but at least we're utilizing the software to the max!
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Thanks for the points Joanne. Hope things work out.
MD
MD
ASKER
I have yet to meet with the MP - I had some other issues at work and it seemed wise to me to put it off a little bit but it will be addressed. And I thank you all so much for your invaluable input.
Hugs to all,
Joanne
Hugs to all,
Joanne
Thanks for the points, and success!
Luke
Luke
Thanks !! Joanne hope all goes well :)
dragontooth
dragontooth
ASKER
And do you know one of the programs she asked me to investigate was SoftWise. Bill Robertson (the President of Softwise), wrote the macro years ago that we're currently using!!!! So let's pay him to do it again.... duh!