determining selection is array of shapes

I have a function that I call with the name of a shape that exists on my worksheet.

I actually select that shape on the worksheet, then execute a macro and since it is a single shape selection, it is easy to get its name:

MyFunction(Selection.Name)

However, I also want to be able to select multiple shapes (via ctrl-click) on my worksheet, and still to be able to successfully use my macro.

Obviously, in the case of multiple shapes the Selection contains e.g.:

ActiveSheet.Shapes.Range(Array("Shape 1", "Shape 2", etc. etc))


What code do I use to find out:
a) Whether the Selection is that of multiple shapes (array of shapes), or just a single shape
b) If it is an array of shapes, how many there are
c) Also, how do I iterate through those names (so that I can pass each one to my function inside some kind of loop)?


Thanks,
a1

This uses the ShapeRange collection and seems to work:

Sub x()

Dim i As Long

MsgBox ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange.Count & " are selected"

For i = 1 To ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange.Count
    MsgBox ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange(i).Name
Next i

End Sub

StephenR saves the day yet again.

Thanks.

p.s. Is there a way to check if I have nothing selected?

Try this. romperstomper did get there before me so please at least acknowledge his post.

Sub x()

Dim i As Long, n

On Error Resume Next
n = ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange.Count
On Error GoTo 0

If n = 0 Then
    MsgBox "none"
Else
    MsgBox n & " are selected"
    For i = 1 To n
        MsgBox ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange(i).Name
    Next i
End If

End Sub

Thanks again.
And thanks to romperstomper. I simply tried the last solution first and it worked so, I immediately replied about that.

The sad part for me is that I realized now that the function that I call uses .Select method on the shape I pass in, and so, I end up losing the multiple shape selection and the code no longer works.

I need to figure out now how to Dim an array of strings, read in the names of all the selected shapes, and then reference those names in this string array when I do the For Next loop.

Thanks,

a1

Don't quite follow your problem but here is how you could put the names into an array (v).

Sub x()

Dim v, i As Long, n

On Error Resume Next
n = ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange.Count
On Error GoTo 0

If n = 0 Then
    MsgBox "none"
Else
    ReDim v(1 To n)
    MsgBox n & " are selected"
    For i = 1 To n
        v(i) = ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange(i).Name
    Next i
End If

Range("A1").Resize(n) = WorksheetFunction.Transpose(v)

End Sub

Ok, I figured out how to declare a string array - Dim asdf(number) As String - although it is not dynamic (have to assume I won't be selecting more than 50 shapes at a time.

Now will try to wrap up by "restoring" the initial group selection by somehow adding all the items in my string array to a shape selection...but that's probably for a different post.

Ha, seems like we posted stuff together.
I will look at your solution (I don't know what ReDim is yet).

If you are referring to the problem that I mentioned in regards to losing the selection, I was simply trying to explain that the function which I call ends up selecting "from code" the shape the name of which I give to that function. Thus, the group selection through which your code successfully iterated is lost. (i.e. I changed your code thus):

For i = 1 To ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange.Count
    MsgBox ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange(i).Name
     MyFunction(ActiveWindow.Selection.ShapeRange(i).Name)

Next i

Yes, there is. (At least, currently there is).

Here is the part of the function I am calling that sets Selection to the single shape.

 If oShp.Visible Then
        ' Selecting invisible shapes causes macro to fail
        oShp.Select
    End If
       
    If oShp.Type = 17 Then 'http://www.vbcity.com/forums/topic.asp?tid=32967
                        'Type 17 is "TextBox with Text",
                        '6 is Group, so lets avoid those.
        'oShp.Select
        With Selection.Font
            .Color = RGB(text_color_r, text_color_g, text_color_b)
            '.ColorIndex = color_index
        End With
    End If
    
    If oShp.Type = 1 Then 'http://www.vbcity.com/forums/topic.asp?tid=32967
                        'Type 17 is "TextBox with Text",
                        '6 is Group, so lets avoid those.
                        '9 is Line
                
                    '' I still must include the "alternative text"
                    '' check, since I cannot insert blank text inside
                    '' Connector
        If oShp.AlternativeText <> "" Then
            With Selection.Font
                .Color = RGB(text_color_r, text_color_g, text_color_b)
            '    .ColorIndex = color_index
            End With
        
    
        End If
            

    End If
    
    If oShp.Type = 6 Then
        For ctr = 1 To oShp.GroupItems.Count
            If oShp.GroupItems(ctr).Type = 1 And oShp.GroupItems(ctr).Visible Then
                oShp.GroupItems(ctr).Select
                'MsgBox oShp.GroupItems(ctr).Name
                With Selection.Font
                    .Color = RGB(text_color_r, text_color_g, text_color_b)
                    '.ColorIndex = color_index
                End With
            End If
        Next ctr
        
    End If 'If Group

As you can see, it's a bit of a mess. I am basically trying to "dim" (change the color to light gray) text which happens in some of my shapes.

Because not all shapes have text in them, I am having to do all kinds of Ifs to avoid breaking code.

This function, in theory, has a way to access the name of the shape inside which I want to dim the text (if there is some) so there is probably a way to code it more efficiently using that. I am sure there is. But I don't have the time at this point to work on optimization (need a little more VBA experience before I get there).

This probably for a different thread, though. Thanks for asking.