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Error message when you create a custom toolbar in Excel: "Run-Time Error '438'"

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Symptoms

When you attempt to create a custom toolbar in Microsoft Excel by using Microsoft Visual Basics for Applications (VBA) code, you may receive the following error message:
Run-time error "438": Object doesn't support this property or method.

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Cause

This behavior occurs if you attempt to create a button that displays the AutoSum symbol by assigning the number 39 to the button. However, Excel is unable to create a button with that number. Then, when you try to assign a macro to the non-existent button, you receive the error message described in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

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Workaround

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs.
If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or Microsoft Advisory Services. For more information, visit these Microsoft Web sites:

Microsoft Certified Partners - https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

Microsoft Advisory Services - http://support.microsoft.com/gp/advisoryservice

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS To work around this issue, type or paste the following code into the VBA module (you can modify this code to suit your specific needs): 
'Creates a four-button control bar with 
'MyAutoSumButtonMacro assigned to the fourth button.
'The macro names used in this example are simply placeholders.
'You must substitute the names of macros that you create.
Private Sub AddToolbar()
   Dim tbb As Object
   On Error Resume Next
   Toolbars("Test").Delete
   On Error GoTo 0
   Set oTB = Toolbars.Add(Name:="Test")
   With oTB
      .Left = 117
      .Top = 186
      Set tbb = .ToolbarButtons.Add(Button:=23, Before:=1)
      tbb.OnAction = ThisWorkbook.Name + "!InsertRowMacro"
      Set tbb = .ToolbarButtons.Add(Button:=20, Before:=2)
      tbb.OnAction = ThisWorkbook.Name + "!DeleteRowMacro"
      Set tbb = .ToolbarButtons.Add(Button:=13, Before:=3)
      tbb.OnAction = ThisWorkbook.Name + "!CopyMacro"

  'Creates a button with the AutoSum symbol and 
  'assigns MyAutoSumButtonMacro to it.
      CommandBars("Auto Sum").Controls("Sum").Copy Bar:=CommandBars _
      ("Test"), Before:=4
      Set tbb = CommandBars("Test").Controls("Sum")
      tbb.Style = msoButtonAutomatic
      tbb.OnAction = ThisWorkbook.Name + "!MyAutoSumButtonMacro"
      .Width = 200
      .Visible = True
   End With
End Sub

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Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

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Keywords: KB287114, kbnofix, kberrmsg, kbbug

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Article Info
Article ID : 287114
Revision : 7
Created on : 1/31/2007
Published on : 1/31/2007
Exists online : False
Views : 373