Using Scripts to Manage Word's View Options

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Sample VBScript scripts that demonstrate how you can both retrieve and configure the Microsoft Word 2003 View options.

Mapping the Dialog Box to the Word Object Model

The options referenced in the following scripts correspond to the options found on the View tab of the Options dialog box. To access these options in Microsoft Word 2003, click Tools, click Options, and then click the View tab. A mapping between the options available in this dialog box and the Microsoft Word object model is shown below.

view

The scripts shown on this page were tested using Microsoft Word 2003. At least some of the functionality is likely to work on any version of Microsoft Word that supports Visual Basic for Applications (VBA); however, the scripts have not been tested using any of these other versions.

Sample Code for Retrieving Values

Sample script that retrieves the configuration information found on the View tab of the Options dialog box in Microsoft Word 2003.

On Error Resume Next
Set objWord = CreateObject("Word.Application")
Set objOptions = objWord.Options
Set objDoc = objWord.Documents.Add()
Set objWindow = objWord.ActiveDocument.ActiveWindow
Set objView = objWord.ActiveDocument.ActiveWindow.View
Set objComments = objDoc.Comments

Wscript.Echo "Startup Task Pane: " & objWord.ShowStartupDialog
Wscript.Echo "Status bar: " & objWord.DisplayStatusBar
Wscript.Echo "Windows in Taskbar: " & _
    objWord.ShowWindowsInTaskbar
Wscript.Echo "Highlight: " & objView.ShowHighlight
Wscript.Echo "Bookmarks: " & objView.ShowBookmarks
Wscript.Echo "Tab characters: " & objView.ShowTabs
Wscript.Echo "Spaces: " & objView.ShowSpaces
Wscript.Echo "Paragraph marks: " & objView.ShowParagraphs
Wscript.Echo "Drawings: " & objView.ShowDrawings
Wscript.Echo "Object anchors: " & objView.ShowObjectAnchors
Wscript.Echo "Text boundaries: " & objView.ShowTextBoundaries
Wscript.Echo "Wrap to window: " & objView.WrapToWindow
Wscript.Echo "Animated text: " & objView.ShowAnimation
Wscript.Echo "Smart tags: " & objView.DisplaySmartTags
Wscript.Echo "Picture placeholders: " & _
    objView.ShowPicturePlaceholders
Wscript.Echo "All: " & objView.ShowAll
Wscript.Echo "Field codes: " & objView.ShowFieldCodes
Wscript.Echo "Hidden text: " & objView.ShowHiddenText
Wscript.Echo "Optional hyphens: " & objView.ShowHyphens
Wscript.Echo "Background colors and images: " & _
    objView.DisplayBackgrounds
Wscript.Echo "Field shading: " & objView.FieldShading
For Each strComment in objComments
    Wscript.Echo "Screen tips: " & strComment.ShowTip
Next
Wscript.Echo "Horizontal scroll bar: " & _
    objWindow.DisplayHorizontalScrollBar
Wscript.Echo "Vertical scroll bar: " & _
    objWindow.DisplayVerticalScrollBar
Wscript.Echo "Vertical ruler: " & _
    objWindow.DisplayVerticalRuler

objWord.Quit

Sample Code for Modifying Values

Sample script that sets the Startup Task Pane option in Microsoft Word to TRUE.

On Error Resume Next

Set objWord = CreateObject("Word.Application")
objWord.ShowStartupDialog = TRUE

objWord.Quit

The sample scripts are not supported under any Microsoft standard support program or service. The sample scripts are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. Microsoft further disclaims all implied warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk arising out of the use or performance of the sample scripts and documentation remains with you. In no event shall Microsoft, its authors, or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use the sample scripts or documentation, even if Microsoft has been advised of the possibility of such damages.