VBScript compilation error: Expected statement

Question

I am having an error when compiling VBScript that will delete a specific line in RTF file. The error points to Line 6, Char 25 which is '=' sign in "Selection.GoTo What:=wdGoToBookmark" statement but I think the syntax is correct.

Error Message

Line: 6 Char: 25

Error: Expected statement

Code: 800A0400

Source: Microsoft VBScript compilation error

Set Word = CreateObject("Word.Application")
Set wordfile = Word.Documents.Open("filename.RTF")
Word.Visible = TRUE

Sub Macro1()
    Selection.GoTo What:=wdGoToBookmark, Name:="IDX12"
    With ActiveDocument.Bookmarks
        .DefaultSorting = wdSortByName
        .ShowHidden = False
    End With
    Selection.MoveUp Unit:=wdLine, Count:=2
    Selection.Delete Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1
    ActiveDocument.Save
End Sub


Macro1
Word.Quit

Possible duplicate of [Does VBScript allow named arguments in function calls?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42194300/does-vbscript-allow-named-arguments-in-function-calls) — Geert Bellekens, Sep 02 '19 at 12:57
Vbscript doesn't know named arguments, and it also doesn't know Selection and ActiveDocument. You'll have a bit more work to convert this VBA macro to VBScript. — Geert Bellekens, Sep 02 '19 at 12:57

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 02 '19 at 13:04

I see 3 main issues in your script.

Unfortunately, VBScript does not support named arguments (whereas VBA does). Thus, you must list all the null arguments of the methods
You use some objects (Selection, ActiveDocument ...) as if they were available as it is. They aren't : they are properties of the Word.Application object.
Last issue : the constants you use are also unknown of vbs. So either you declare them or you use their Word internal value.


    Set Word = CreateObject("Word.Application")
    ' !! You also might meet a problem here because you don't use the file full path. The file may not be found !!
    Set wordfile = Word.Documents.Open("filename.RTF")
    Word.Visible = TRUE

    Sub Macro1()
        'Word.Selection.GoTo What:=wdGoToBookmark, Name:="IDX12"
        Word.Selection.GoTo -1, , , "IDX12"
        With Word.ActiveDocument.Bookmarks
            '.DefaultSorting = wdSortByName
            .DefaultSorting = 0
            .ShowHidden = False
        End With
        'Word.Selection.MoveUp Unit:=wdLine, Count:=2
        Word.Selection.MoveUp 5, 2
        'Word.Selection.Delete Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1
        Word.Selection.Delete 1, 1
        Word.ActiveDocument.Save
    End Sub

    Macro1
    Word.Quit

Hi Oliver. This works pretty well. I had no idea about the difference in VBA and VBS syntax. Thanks for listing all the issues not just providing the solution code. Very much appreciated :) — Leo Julongbayan, Sep 02 '19 at 13:21

VBScript compilation error: Expected statement

1 Answers1