WD97: Cannot Use ScanProt with Word 97 (158499)

SYMPTOMS

In Word 97, when you attempt to run the ScanProt macro virus protection tool, you get one of the following error messages:

Run-time error '548'
Unable to create or edit macros using the WordBasic object.

-or-

Run-time error '438'
Object doesn't support this property or method.

CAUSE

When you open the ScanProt template, Word 97 automatically converts the ScanProt macros to Microsoft Visual Basic code. After conversion, these macros no longer work. They contain WordBasic macro commands that do not function in Visual Basic for Applications.

RESOLUTION

Word 97 has a built-in detection scheme that warns you when you are opening documents or templates that contain macros. This process gives you the opportunity to open the document or template with or without the macros. If you suspect that a document or template contains macros that you do not want, you can open the document or template without the macros.

When you convert document templates to Word 97 formatted files, Word automatically converts all macros to Visual Basic code. During the conversion process, Word 97 looks for specific ScanProt code in your Normal.dot file, and if found, does not convert these macros. Microsoft recommends that you install anti-virus software that is specifically designed to detect Word macro viruses. Such software is available from several third-party companies. For additional information virus protection software which detect Word macro viruses, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

49500 List of Antivirus Software Vendors