Different behaviour version 3.3.18.0 compared to 3.3.16.1

[prutser]

Hi all,

I have code running to strip whitespace from PNG's and put them into a PowerPoint slideshow. Until last week I used AutoIT version 3.3.16.1 with several UDF's. Last week I upgraded to 3.3.18.0 and there is something weird now. My code runs approx. 80% of the time flawless, but sometimes there is an error related to PowerPoint. Reverting back to 3.3.16.1 looks to solve the issue. Alle used UDF's are in a separate location and the same for both versions of AutoIT.  The error is at random places in the code, but always in a line doing something with a PowerPoint slide.

The given error is always:

==> Variable must be of type "Object".:

An example of code where the error appears in 10-20% of the cases:

And the error (at random places and 10-20% of the cases:

 

What is weird in my opinion:

• The PPT used is always started in the beginning of the code and 100% of the time visible, so sure it's there
• The error show up at random places, but always with a connection to a PowerPoint object, but not consistent every time. Running the same code with the same PNG input repetitive gives 80% consistent expected results, 20% error messages on different places
• I seems only to happen with 3.3.18.0. I reverted back a few times from 3.3.16.1 to 3.3.18.0 and back (default installation, only change is that I choose "Edit" for the doubleclick action on a AU3 file). Running the code in 3.3.16.1 10 times gives never (knocks on wood) an error, in 3.3.18.0 in 1-2 cases out of 10. I did repeat this sequence a few times with the same results
• The "object" error is strange because the line in front (see code) uses the same object ...

The PPT UDF is in both cases exactly the same, the Powerpoint.au3 from Toady. PowerPoint stays the same (Office 2021) en the PC used is a standard W11 Pro thing. I'm back on 3.3.16.1 right now that I used the past years.

Anyway, I'm back on 3.3.16.1, but there is something strange. No hassle for me at the moment, but it looks to me there is a something changed under the hood ...

Many thanks for the community for all efforts that helped me in the last 10 years!

 

Edited Wednesday at 03:53 PM by prutser
Typo's

[argumentum]

8 minutes ago, prutser said:

Anyway, I'm back on 3.3.16.1, but there is something strange.

As you posted, all we all can say is "oh wow". To troubleshoot code, the code should be available as text, not a picture of a chunk.
I don't even have PowerPoint installed not ever used, so not much help from me.
If you present a simple short script that shows the trouble that can be replicated, then there is going to be a better chance to attend to it.

[prutser]

8 minutes ago, argumentum said:

As you posted, all we all can say is "oh wow". To troubleshoot code, the code should be available as text, not a picture of a chunk.
I don't even have PowerPoint installed not ever used, so not much help from me.
If you present a simple short script that shows the trouble that can be replicated, then there is going to be a better chance to attend to it.

Thanks for your reply. I'm 100% sure it is not the code. And yes, I know that everybody will tell that, that's why I described extensively why I came to that conclusion. I have tested the code today approx. 50 times with 3.3.16.1 without a single failure, where 3.3.18.0 fails 9 time from another 50 times. All 100 times the used input and environment were 100% the same. The given error is not logical because the lines before the error the same object is used. My post is more intended for the AutoIT devs that something had changed in 3.3.18.0 leading to the errors.

[argumentum]

5 minutes ago, prutser said:

I'm 100% sure it is not the code.

I know you know is not the code. The Devs need a test bed to test their code. Running your code will show them where their code fails.

[water]

When I'm working with COM objects I ALWAYS install a COM error handler and check @error and @extended after each function call of an UDF.
Toady's PPT UDF does not use a COM error handler.
Often some function causes the problem in first place. If unhandled, your script will crash on another line. This is very hard to debug.
I suggest to add a COM error handler to your script to get better debugging information about the line that really causes the problem.
 

[prutser]

Fair. I will try to strip the code as much as possible, that will need some time, the code grew a little bit in the past 10 years

Thanks again!

[water]

Or download my PPT UDF (for download please see my signature), grab function _PPT_ErrorNotify, add it to your script and call _PPT_ErrorNotify(1) at the op of your script.
You will get all COM errors written to the console.

[prutser]

On 1/7/2026 at 5:51 PM, water said:

Or download my PPT UDF (for download please see my signature), grab function _PPT_ErrorNotify, add it to your script and call _PPT_ErrorNotify(1) at the op of your script.
You will get all COM errors written to the console.

Great, that will be done for the next few minutes. I tried to make a look-alike script that automated runs a few 100 sheets and that 500 times, but that works fine in both versions and is not giving a clue. Will try also on another PC if that makes a difference. It should be a lot nicer if the error was more consistent, I understand that this is a needle in a haystack without some evidence that produces the error.

Thanks for your time and effort in this, greatly appreciated!

[prutser]

The COM error routine is the best invention just after wheels. Extremely helpful, it gives direction, however in this case not 100% clarity. Errors are still random. Below the output from one error message (1st code) and the code involved (2nd screenshot)

-->Line(0241):  Shapes: 4. SlideNote op dia 6 Picture_001 1280x800

COM Error Encountered in PPTtool 3.71.au3
UDF version = 
  PowerPoint: 1.5.0.0 2021-08-31
@AutoItVersion = 3.3.18.0
@AutoItX64 = 0
@Compiled = 0
@OSArch = X64
@OSVersion = WIN_11
Scriptline = 242
NumberHex = 0x80020008
Number = -2147352568
WinDescription = Ongeldig type variabele.
Description = 
Source = 
HelpFile = 
HelpContext = 
LastDllError = 0
========================================================
"\Include\PowerPoint.au3" (242) : ==> Variable must be of type "Object".:
$obj_pres.Slides($amount).NotesPage.Shapes(2).TextFrame.TextRange.Text = $Text
$obj_pres.Slides($amount)^ ERROR
->22:55:16 AutoIt3.exe ended.rc:1
+>22:55:16 AutoIt3Wrapper Finished.
>Exit code: 1    Time: 28.72

What you see above is the output of the "Debugprint" on line 0241 in the code below. That line proves that the $obj_pres object exists. The amount of shapes on the page is visually checked and really "4" (the picture, the notespage, a block and an arrow). In other words, Shape(2) is writeable. Also, the variables "$amount" and "$Text" have values (respectively "6" and "Picture_001 1280x800". The intention of the code is to fill the notesfield in PowerPoint with the filename and resolution of the picture

One line later tells now that the object from the previous line is gone. If I change nothing and run the code again, it runs 2-5 times flawless before giving an error on this or another place. If the error happens, it is always in a part of the code where several "object" commands are executed in a few lines. Until now it never crashed in a piece of code where only one "object" command is executed. 

Func _PPT_SlideNotesTextFrameSetText(ByRef $obj_pres, $amount, $obj_slide, $Text)
    If IsObj($obj_pres) <> 1 Then
        SetError(1)
        Return 0
    Else
        $ShapeCount = _PPT_SlideShapeCount($obj_pres, $amount)
        _Debugprint("Shapes: " & $Shapecount & ". SlideNote op dia " & $amount & " " & $Text)
        $obj_pres.Slides($amount).NotesPage.Shapes(2).TextFrame.TextRange.Text = $Text
    Endif
EndFunc


Func _PPT_SlideShapeCount($obj, $intSlide)
    If IsObj($obj) <> 1 Then
        SetError(1)
        Return 0
    Else
        Return $obj.Slides.Item($intSlide).Shapes.Range.Count
    Endif
EndFunc

My guess for now: The error has a connection with multiple consecutive actions on objects (not necessarily PowerPoint), but unfortunately not very consistent.

Some text is in Dutch in the codeparts, but you get the drift I think ...

Next step is to look if I can minimize the amount of object actions and a way to copy this into a small piece of code running on an active PPT window, but that's for the weekend. And repeat this on another PC.

Thanks again, I learned so much this evening. Priceless!

[mLipok]

  

42 minutes ago, prutser said:

"\Include\PowerPoint.au3" (242) : ==> Variable must be of type "Object".:
$obj_pres.Slides($amount).NotesPage.Shapes(2).TextFrame.TextRange.Text = $Text
$obj_pres.Slides($amount)^ ERROR

 

Which version of PowerPoint UDF are you using?

 

Edited 15 hours ago by mLipok

[prutser]

Hi mLipok,

An old one from Toady. I only use a few functions from there like opening a PPT, create slide, slidecount. No fancy things in there and only simple functions in use with object-oneliners like mentioned below. Compared it already several times with the mentioned newer UDF, but in fact the same objecthandling.

But because I only use some simple stuff, I will change to the newer UDF this weekend, that does not hurt

Func _PPT_PresentationOpen($obj, $filepath, $ReadOnly=True, $Title=True, $Visible=True)
    If IsObj($obj) <> 1 Then
        SetError(1)
        Return 0
    Else
        Local $PresInterface = $obj.Presentations
        Local $objPres = $PresInterface.Open($filepath,$ReadOnly,$Title,$Visible)
        Return $objPres
    Endif
EndFunc

Func _PPT_SlideCreate($obj, $index, $layout, $backgroundcolor = 0xFFFFFF)
    Local Const $ppBackground = 1
    If IsObj($obj) <> 1 Then
        SetError(1)
        Return 0
    Else
        Local $SlideClass = $obj.Slides.Add($index, $layout)
        $SlideClass.Colorscheme.Colors($ppBackground).RGB = $backgroundcolor
        Return $SlideClass
    Endif
EndFunc

9 hours ago, mLipok said:

Which version of PowerPoint UDF are you using?

 

Edited 6 hours ago by prutser
Saved some space

[water]

9 hours ago, mLipok said:

Which version of PowerPoint UDF are you using?

This has already been answered in post #1 by the OP 😉 

[water]

9 hours ago, prutser said:

WinDescription = Ongeldig type variabele.

lets me think that some type of data is invalid.
Can you please insert the following lines ahead of the failing statement in line #242?

Consolewrite("Value of $amount: '" & $amount & "', Variable Type of $amount: " & VargetType($amount) & @CRLF)
Consolewrite("Value of $Text: '" & $Text & "', Variable Type of $Text: " & VargetType($Text) & @CRLF)

 

[water]

BTW:
I suggest to use the proposed naming convention as described here. So you always know which type of data to expect from a variable