Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Determining the Upper Bounds of an Array.

Determining the Upper Bounds of an Array

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 2, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


If you program macros, you already know that you can define arrays of variables that are used to store similar data. For instance, the array sClassNames() could be used to hold the names of individuals in your school class. Consider the following, which defines the array:

Dim sClassNames(29) As String

This particular code specifies that the array can hold 30 string values, using the subscripts 0 through 29.

At some point you may have a subroutine or function that needs to know how many elements have been defined for an array. One built-in VBA function that comes in handy for determining this is UBound. This function returns a value that indicates the upper bound (the largest subscript) that can be used with the array. For instance, consider the following usage:

iClassSize = UBound(sClassnames)

When you run this code, iClassSize is set to the value 29. Why? Because 29 is the largest subscript that can be used in the sClassNames() array—it represents the upper bound for the array.

If your arrays have more than one dimension, you can add another argument to the UBound function to specify for which dimension you want the upper bound:

iHighSide = UBound(cPayGrade, 2)

This example sets iHighSide equal to the upper bound for the second dimension of the cPayGrade() array.

Note:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the WordTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1436) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Determining the Upper Bounds of an Array.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Declaring Variables

Macros depend on the use of variables to do their work. This tip examines how variables are declared in a macro, using ...

Discover More

Generating Numeric Testing Data

Excel can be used to generate random testing data that you can use in any way you deem necessary. This tip provides ...

Discover More

Inserting Dashes between Letters and Numbers

If you need to add dashes between letters and numbers in a string, the work can quickly get tedious. This tip examines ...

Discover More

The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!

More WordTips (menu)

Using Message Boxes

If your macro needs to communicate with a user, one simple way to do it is to use a message box. Here's how to use this ...

Discover More

Saving in a Macro Using a Desired File Name

Need to save a new document, from within a macro, to a specific file name? If you use the Record Macro capabilities of ...

Discover More

Dissecting a String

Want to pull a string apart in a macro? It's easy using the string functions introduced in this tip.

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 2?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.