Embeddign MS Word into Excel

[Larry S]

As noted in a previous post, I'm having problems with text wrapping in
merged cells. While the response to correct the problem has 2 options:

1. Eliminate the merged cells - this is not currently an option.
2. Use an Embedded macro. While I like this approach, users tend to shy away
for files wtih macros due to the risk of a virus.

My other option is to simply presize the row height. While this is less
preferred, it is currently my backup solution. However I would like to
pursue a 4th option, though I have little experience with it so I'm looking
for help/suggestions...

I could include an MS Word Document onto the worksheet (Insert/Object) -
this was an early idea I had as this gives th user . Though this is simple
to do, what I need to know how, or if it is doable, is to have the document
be more than "just embedded". As the user enters informaiton, the word
docuement object will automatically expand in size (top to bottom). While
this is ideal, the problem is the newly expanded object will "lay on top" of
any EXCEL cells below it, thus hiding critical informaiton. Is there a way
to "link" the object to an EXCEL row such that as it resizes, everything
else will move with it?

Background: I'm effectively using EXCEL for a request form where each work
sheet represents a single request filled out by the user. The worksheet will
be protected to preserve the layout such that I can pull information to a
summary page for review and approval. At this point, it is a stop gap
measure effectively taking a 1970's typewritter process (and form) into
EXCEL however I'm hoping by next year a database is considered.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Ed]

Larry:

Just a thought, and not sure it would be useable in your situation. If all
you are really concerned with is the ability for you or another user to view
the information, and the size of the cell is not necessary for storing /
retrieving the information, would a UserForm work?

I don't have a lot of experience in this area, but I think the embedded Word
object won't work. It sounds like you want the information to appear
directly in the Word object, which will size itself appropriately. Not even
a regular Word doc behaves like that - it's a certain page size of fixed
height and width.

Or if the information must be entered into the "stubborn" cell, could you
link to a different cell with formatting to allow the cell and text to
appear as desired?

Ed

 

[Larry S]

Thanks - I have no knowledge of Userforms so I need to do some hunting - I'm
not seeing that in the EXCEL help either. While you option of linking to
another cell has value, I don't believe it is going to work for this task.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Ed]

UserForms are associated with VBA - in Excel, hit ALT+F11, then F1. Also
search the newsgroups (I use http://www.rondebruin.nl/Google.htm). You did
say you were wary of macro code - unfortunately, that's what a UserForm is
built from and would contain to do this. But it still might work,
especially if your users know the workbook came from you and they can trust
what you have sent.

Ed