Microsoft KB Archive/140541

= Can't Add Object to Sheet Protected as UserInterfaceOnly =

Article ID: 140541

Article Last Modified on 8/17/2005

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition

-



This article was previously published under Q140541



SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, when you programmatically protect a worksheet so that you can make changes only with a Visual Basic for Applications macro, and then run a macro, the following error message may appear:

Run-time error '1004':

Add method of class failed.



CAUSE
This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:
 * You use the Protect method for the worksheet and set the UserInterfaceOnly argument to True. -and-


 * You run a macro that attempts to add a drawing object to the worksheet.

Drawing objects include graphic objects, pictures, embedded objects, and embedded charts.



WORKAROUND
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. To work around this problem, unprotect the worksheet before adding the drawing object, and then reprotect the sheet, as in the following example: Sub AddObject 'Unprotect the Sheet. ActiveSheet.Unprotect password:="pwd" 'Add a drawing object. ActiveSheet.Rectangles.Add 0, 0, 100, 100 'Protect the sheet again with "UserInterFaceOnly." ActiveSheet.Protect password:="pwd", userinterfaceonly:=True 'The macro can continue making changes to the "UserInterfaceOnly" 'protected worksheet other than adding drawing objects. ActiveSheet.Range("A10").Value = "Hello World" End Sub



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Excel 2000.

Additional query words: protection Run time error 1004 XL

Keywords: kberrmsg kbbug kbfix kbprogramming kbdtacode KB140541

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.