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Item name not found in shapes collection

Hi,

I am an experienced VBA programmer but have only just begun using VBA in Powerpoint 2010. I am trying to set write code to a) set two shape object variables to particular shapes on the slide, b) check the value of a checkbox and c) to show or hide the two shapes depending on the value of the checkbox.

I have named the two shapes "ProspectText" and "ProspectCallout" and the checkbox (ProspectCheck).

My initial code (below) to set the shape objects is generating an error that says something like "Item "ProspectText" not found in shapes collection."

Dim oText As Shape
Dim oCallout As Shape
Dim oCheck As Boolean
Set oText = ActivePresentation.Slides(2).Shapes("ProspectText")
Set oCallout = ActivePresentation.Slides(2).Shapes("ProspectCallout")
oCheck = ActivePresentation.Slides(2).Shapes("ProspectCheck")
If oCheck = True Then
ShowShapes oText, oCallout
Else
HideShapes oText, oCallout
End If
End Sub

I have checked in the Selection and Visibility pane and through code to ensure the names are correct.

Does anyone have any ideas on what to try?

Thanks!

John Wilson

Are these PowerPoint shapes or Items from the Control Toolbox? Probably worth posting a simple example AND what you want to acheive because non native activx shapes need to be referenced differently.

This line will return a Shape and since oCheck is declared as Boolean it is bound to error.
oCheck = ActivePresentation.Slides(2).Shapes("ProspectCheck")

If it is an ActivX checkBox you need to say:

oCheck = ActivePresentation.Slides(2).Shapes("ProspectCheck").OLEFormat.Object.Value

Almost certainly you would want to put the checkbox routine into the checkbox Change event.

Private Sub ProspectCheck_Click()
If Me.ProspectCheck.Value = True Then

Else

End If
End Sub

msblane

ASKER

Hi,

The two shapes are PowerPoint shapes (one is a callout, the other a text box). The checkbox is a form control (but not an activex). I understand what you are saying about putting it on the checkbox change event and will do that. However, the problem with the code still remains - it will not recognize the named shapes as shapes.

Thanks for your help!

John Wilson

And you are sure the shapes are on Slide 2?

If you run this does it return the correct shape names.

Sub chexNames()
Dim strReport As String
Dim oshp As Shape
For Each oshp In ActivePresentation.Slides(2).Shapes
strReport = strReport + oshp.Name & vbCrLf
Next oshp
MsgBox strReport
End Sub

msblane

ASKER

I have run various pieces of code (see the most recent below) to check the names, and they all found it, but your code does not. In fact the names in the Selection and Visibility pane are quite different from those listed in strReport.

Now I am very confused! What am I missing?

Public Sub RenameShapes()
Dim s As Integer, NewName As String

With ActiveWindow.Selection.SlideRange
For s = 1 To .Shapes.Count
.Shapes(s).Select ' So you can see the object in question
NewName = InputBox(.Shapes(s).Name) ' Tell what current name it is and ask for new name
If Len(NewName) > 0 Then .Shapes(s).Name = NewName ' If you typed a new name, apply it
Next s ' 1 To .Shapes.Count
End With
End Sub

Sub identifyme()
On Error GoTo errhandler
MsgBox "The shape is named " & ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange.Name _
& Chr$(13) & "The slide is named " & ActiveWindow.Selection.SlideRange.Name
Exit Sub
errhandler:
MsgBox "There's an error, maybe you've selected more that one shape?"
End Sub

John Wilson

My code should return the correct names. Are you SURE the shapes are on Slide 2. (That's the second slide not a name you recovered from code.)

If you want to send me a couple of slides I can take a look johnATSIGNHEREpptalchemy.co.uk

Add a note to remind me what it's about.

You probably know this but you don't need code to name shapes. Just select the name in the selection pane and type.

John

msblane

ASKER

You have hit the nail on the head. When I began this exercise, it was slide 2. Now it's slide 1. Sorry to waste your time! Can you tell me how I rename the slides so that I can refer to them more stably?

Thanks so much for your help!

MSB

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

John Wilson

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