Word Document Properties

Part II: Learning the Ropes 
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Adding conditional compilation
Conditional compilation 
is an essential feature for creating multiple versions
of your program. Normally, VBA goes through your list of statements and per-
forms them one at a time. However, using conditional compilations allows
VBA to perform a task in one way while you write and test the program, and
in another way when you finish it.
The most common use for this feature is to help debug a program. In Chapter 6,
I show you how to use conditional compilation to debug your application.
However, for now, just to have a little fun, you can create a very simple 
program that shows how this feature works. First, make sure that you
type
myDebug = 0
in the Conditional Compilation Arguments field and
then click OK. Then type the following program in a module (see the 
“Step 2: Implement the design” section of Chapter 2 for instructions on 
creating a module):
Public Sub CheckConditional()
#If myDebug = 0 Then
MsgBox “In Standard Mode”
#Else
MsgBox “In Debug Mode”
#End If
End Sub
This program says that if 
myDebug
is set to 
0
, the program should display a
message box that reads 
In Standard Mode
. If 
myDebug
is set to any other
value, the program should display a message box that reads 
In Debug
Mode
. Run the program, and you should see a message box that reads 
In
Standard Mode
.
63
Chapter 3: Writing Structured VBA Programs
Avoiding code-locking security issues
One consideration for code locking is that it can
provide a false sense of security. Although code
locking keeps novice users from modifying your
code, it doesn’t keep out dedicated crackers. The
Internet contains offerings from many vendors
who offer to unlock your Office documents for
you when you lose the password. Unfortunately,
the same application that can help you retrieve
your documents when you forget the password
can also give crackers access to it. The best
policy to follow is to use code locking when you
need to protect novice users from themselves,
rather than as a means for protecting your
investment in the code itself.
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Open the Project Properties dialog box again. Change the Conditional
Compilation Arguments field so that it reads