XL98: Compile Error Passing ParamArray (184703)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q184703

SYMPTOMS

If you are passing a ParamArray to another function, you may receive the following error:
Compile error:
Invalid ParamArray use

CAUSE

This error message may occur if both of the following conditions are true:
  • You are running your macro code in Microsoft Excel 98.

    -and-
  • You are passing the ParamArray to a ByRef argument in another function.
NOTE: If you run the same macro code in Microsoft Excel version 5.0, you will not receive the error message.

You receive the compile error because Visual Basic for Applications in Microsoft Excel 98 does not allow you to pass a ParamArray to a ByRef argument in another function.

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, add "ByVal" (without quotation marks) to the argument receiving the ParamArray in the function that is being called.

For example, the following macro code returns an error when you run the "Test" subroutine: 
   Sub Test()

      x = myfun(1)
      MsgBox x

   End Sub

   Function myfun(y As Integer, ParamArray myarr() As Variant) As Integer

      myfun = otherfun(y, myarr)

   End Function

   Function otherfun(y As Integer, myarr As Variant) As Integer

      otherfun = y * 2

   End Function


If you change the "otherfun" function declaration to 
   Function otherfun(y As Integer, ByVal myarr As Variant) As Integer
and run the "Test" subroutine, you get a message box with a value of 2 displayed.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

When you have an argument in the argument list of a function and you do not specify either ByVal (by value) or ByRef (by reference), the argument will be ByRef. This is the default in Visual Basic for all variables.

REFERENCES

For more information about passing arguments, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "passing arguments," click Search, and then click to view "Passing Arguments Efficently."

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

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/12/2006
Keywords:kbbug kbdtacode kberrmsg kbnofix KB184703
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