Two strings check true for equal but check false for Like operator

Question

Why doesn't the "Like" statement work?

The "=" statement checks as true but the "like" operator checks as false, why?

Sub sandbox2()

Dim TagForm As String

TagForm = "tag(1###)<EX-->"

Debug.Print "Compare: " & Sheets(2).Cells(2, 2).Value & " To: " & TagForm

If Sheets(2).Cells(2, 2).Value = TagForm Then 'this works... displays message "Match!"
    MsgBox "Match!"
End If

If Sheets(2).Cells(2, 2).Value Like TagForm Then 'this does not work... Does not display "Match!"
    MsgBox "Match!"
End If

End Sub

# is a special character in the like operator and stands for any single digit. Hence the false value. Enclose them in brackets to escape their purpose — JvdV, Nov 04 '19 at 16:02
I know that... I don't understand why that would make it check as false? — XCELLGUY, Nov 04 '19 at 16:02
To boil this down to a *very* small example and explain my previous comment a bit more, in the Immediate Window, `? "#" Like "#"`. The result is `False`. To get `True`, add brackets: `? "#" Like "[#]"`. — BigBen, Nov 04 '19 at 16:06

Josh Eller · Answer 1 · 2019-11-04T16:03:11.883

1

When using the like operator, # and - are both special characters.

To match the literal character #, add brackets around it, like [#]

See the full documentation here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/language/reference/user-interface-help/like-operator

edited Nov 04 '19 at 16:03

answered Nov 04 '19 at 16:02

Josh Eller

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score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 04 '19 at 16:04

You used the Like operator wrong. The # represents a single number digigt.

so you can compare the following:

Sub test()
    Dim a As String, b As String, c As String
    a = "tag(1###)<EX-->"
    b = "tag(1###)<EX-->"
    c = "tag(1000)<EX-->"

    Debug.Print b = a       'true
    Debug.Print b Like a    'false

    Debug.Print c = a       'false
    Debug.Print c Like a    'trua
End Sub

If you compare MyVar LIKE "tag(1###)<EX-->" then
MyVar can be anything from "tag(1000)<EX-->" to "tag(1999)<EX-->"

Two strings check true for equal but check false for Like operator

2 Answers2