WD97: Run-Time Error 1220 Running WordBasic.Shell Statement (232637)

SYMPTOMS

When you run a line of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code similar to the following (or when a third-party add-in does the same):

WordBasic.Shell "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\msqry32.exe", 1

the following error message appears:

Run-time error '1220': Word cannot find or run the application.

CAUSE

The WordBasic.Shell statement does not support the use of long file names and directory names. Only standard 8.3 file names and directory names are recognized.

WORKAROUND

To resolve this problem, replace WordBasic.Shell statements with Visual Basic for Applications Shell functions. The VBA Shell function fully supports long file and directory names. For more information about shell function, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type shell in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

MORE INFORMATION

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