>>I have a function that opens MS word, creates a document, and prints it completely n the background. I would like for the function to close down Word when it is finished printing. The problem is that if I issue the command to close Word right after the command to print, Word gives a message asking if I want to close and cancelthe print job. (Word is still busy printing when I issuethe command). I need to delay the command to close for several seconds, preferrably during which control is returned to my program. A timer object seems the logical solution, but I cannot reference the Word object outside of the method that instantiates it. Is it kosher to declare a OLE object as global so I can reference it from a timer? Any other suggestion as to how to tackle this? Thanks in advance for any help.
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>>Erik
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>Erik, I don't have a list of WordBasic commands, but isn't there one that will check for an active print job? I did this years ago with WordPerfect - the program set up a loop that checked until the print job was sent to the printer and then closed WP.
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>HTH
>Barbara

I have accomplished essentially the same thing with Lister's suggestion. (Turning background printing off). This essentially leaves control with Word until printing is finished and then returns it to my program, where the next command closes Word. Thanks for the suggestion.

Erik