: It ensures your VB6 application UI matches the look of Office 97-2003 macros. How to Reference the Library
Integrating Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library in VB6 The Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library ( FM20.DLL ) is a component library used to create rich user interfaces in Visual Basic 6.0 (VB6). It provides a set of controls that are distinct from the standard VB6 toolbox. These controls support advanced features like Unicode text display, transparent backgrounds, and native integration with Microsoft Office VBA user forms.
Furthermore, the library provided a suite of controls that were not always present in the standard VB6 toolbox. The "SpinButton," "ScrollBar," and "TabStrip" controls were native to Forms 2.0 and offered a different aesthetic and behavioral set than their standard VB6 counterparts. Perhaps most importantly, the Forms 2.0 controls were generally "lightweight" regarding resource consumption when hosted within Office applications, and they handled Unicode data more gracefully than many of the older intrinsic VB6 controls, making them an attractive option for developers building internationalized software in the late 1990s.
Private Function GetFromClipboard() As String ' Declare the DataObject Dim objData As MSForms.DataObject
The FM20 library doesn't just replicate standard controls; it adds depth to them. 1. The TextBox Control microsoft forms 20 object library vb6
This method is the one to use when you want to add the actual controls (TextBox, ComboBox, etc.) to your VB6 toolbox.
One of the few ways to handle non-ANSI characters in legacy VB6.
End Sub
Container controls for tabbed interfaces. SpinButton / ScrollBar: Specialized scrolling tools. : It ensures your VB6 application UI matches
Per Microsoft's official licensing agreement, You cannot legally package this DLL inside your application's installer to distribute to computers that do not have Microsoft Office installed. The Target Machine Dependency
The ColumnCount , ColumnWidths , and List properties allow you to build multi-column dropdowns natively without resorting to complex Win32 API calls (such as SendMessage with LB_SETTABSTOPS ).
Ultimately, FM20.DLL is a window into an older era of Windows development—a powerful, unsupported tool that you can still wield, but only if you are fully aware of its sharp edges.
Click on in the top menu, then select Components... (or press Ctrl + T ). These controls support advanced features like Unicode text
Microsoft's official solution is clear: . If you must use the library, the only supported way to deploy your application is to restrict it to target machines that already have a licensed copy of Microsoft Office 97 or later installed. You would then need to document Microsoft Office as a prerequisite for your software.
Utilizing the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library in VB6 Visual Basic 6.0 (VB6) remains a resilient platform for legacy enterprise applications. While the native VB6 toolbox provides standard controls, developers often need advanced functionalities like robust Unicode support, flexible formatting, and enhanced control properties.
: Offers standalone precise value adjustment controls.