I want to be able to define a variable in multiple Word documents and then
replace it in all of them simultaneously. For example, I might define a
variable "productname" and then replace it with "Acme Widgets" in 20 separate
documents. What's the easiest and least expensive way to do this?

Lisa,

You can use the following to create the document varialble
"productname" and set its value to Acme Widgets.

Sub BatchAddVariable
Dim MyFile As String
Dim PathToUse As String
Dim numWordsToUse As Long
Dim Counter As Long
Dim myDoc As Document

'Create a dynamic array variable, and then declare its initial size
Dim DirectoryListArray() As String
ReDim DirectoryListArray(1000) '1000 is arbitrary

'Specify folder containing files
PathToUse = "C:\Batch Folder\"
'Loop through all the files of *.doc type in the directory by using
Dir$ function
MyFile = Dir$(PathToUse & "*.doc")
'For each file found add to the array
Do While MyFile ""
DirectoryListArray(Counter) = MyFile
'Get the next file name
MyFile = Dir$
Counter = Counter + 1
Loop

'Reset the size of the array without losing its values by using Redim
Preserve
ReDim Preserve DirectoryListArray(Counter - 1)
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
For Counter = 0 To UBound(DirectoryListArray)
Set myDoc = Documents.Open(FileName:=PathToUse &
DirectoryListArray(Counter), _
Visible:=False)
With myDoc
.Variables("productname").Value = "Coswell Cogs"
.Save
.Close
End With
Next Counter
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

Note this will not insert the { DocVariable "productname" } field in
your text. You would have to add more code to go to some point in the
document, insert the field code and update the fields.

Cost $1,000.000.00 :-)

See:
http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/word_tips.htm

Hi ?B?TGlzYUg=?=,

I want to be able to define a variable in multiple Word documents and then
replace it in all of them simultaneously. For example, I might define a
variable "productname" and then replace it with "Acme Widgets" in 20 separate
documents.

If I'm following you correctly, what I'd probably do is create a
CustomDocumentProperty in the documents containing the "placeholder" text. Use a
DocProperty field throughout the document to display that text.

When you want to change the value you should be able to use a tool provided by
Microsoft - DSOFile.dll - to change the document property without opening the
file. Search the KB on the msdn site to locate information and a link to
DSOFile.exe. You'll also find an article on using it at word.mvps.org.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 8 2004)
http://www.word.mvps.org

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