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Q150185: INFO: Tab Keyword Cannot Be Used as Object Type in Visual Basic

Article: Q150185
Product(s): Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:4.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbGrpDSVB
Last Modified: 11-JAN-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual Basic Learning Edition for Windows, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition for Windows, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition for Windows, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Standard Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
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SUMMARY
=======

The TabStrip control contains an object, Tab, which supports the various
properties of a tab in the control. The word Tab cannot be used in a declaration
to dimension an object. This is because Tab is a keyword in Visual Basic.

STATUS
======

This is by design. Since Tab is a keyword in Visual Basic, it cannot be used in
a declaration without employing one of the workarounds documented below.

WORKAROUND
==========

There are several ways to dimension a Tab object, which is part of the TabStrip
control:

- Preface the object with the library in which it is contained. In the case of
  Tab:

     Dim x As ComctlLib.Tab

  Later in the code, x has to be set to the correct tab object. For example:

     Set x = New TabStrip1.Tabs(0)

-or-

- Use late binding, and dimension the Tab as a generic object:

     Dim x As Object

     Set x = New TabStrip1.Tabs(0)

Steps to Reproduce Problem
--------------------------

1. Create a new project in Visual Basic. Form1 is created by default. Add a
  TabStrip control to a form.

2. In the Form_Load event place the following code:

        Private Sub Form_Load()

     Dim x As Tab

     End Sub

3. Run the project by pressing F5. Visual Basic will correctly highlight the
  dimension statement and report a Syntax Error.

Additional query words: kbVBp400 kbVBp600 kbVBp kbdsd kbDSupport kbControl

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbGrpDSVB 
Technology        : kbVBSearch kbAudDeveloper kbZNotKeyword6 kbZNotKeyword2 kbVB600Search kbVBA600 kbVB600 kbVB400Search kbVB400
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbinfo

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