WD98: BreakLink Method Deletes Object Reference (182013)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q182013

SYMPTOMS

When you have a Visual Basic for Applications macro that uses the BreakLink method in combination with an object reference, the following error may occur:
Run-time error '5825': Object has been deleted

CAUSE

The link the object variable referred to no longer exists.

You receive the "Object has been deleted" message if the macro has attempted to access an object that has been deleted. The object may have been deleted deliberately, such as with the Delete method, or it may have been deleted as a side effect of another operation, such as when a frame is added around an inline shape, which deletes the original inline shape and creates a copy of it in the frame.

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 verify that an object still exists, use the IsObjectValid method. The following example demonstrates the use of this method. 
   Sub testObject()
      Dim sPIC As InlineShape
      Set sPIC = ActiveDocument.InlineShapes.Add("C:\Windows\bubbles.bmp")
      MsgBox IsObjectValid(sPIC)     ' This will display True
      sPIC.Delete
      MsgBox IsObjectValid(sPIC)     ' This will display False
   End Sub
For more information about IsObjectValid, click the Office Assistant while in the Visual Basic Editor, type IsObjectValid, click Search, and then click to view "IsObjectValid Property."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

176476 OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

173707 OFF97: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

For more information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

163435 VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for Applications

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/17/2005
Keywords:kbmacroexample kbprb KB182013
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.