Pattern

Returns or sets the regular expression.

Get

Returns a String.

Syntax: object.Pattern

object

required An object expression that evaluates to a RegExp.

The default value is an empty string.

Let

Sets the regular expression.

Syntax: object.Pattern = value

value

A String that holds the regular expression.

Remarks

Setting a different pattern makes it compile again the next time it is needed. Setting the current pattern does nothing. A pattern that does not compile raises no error when it is set: IsValid, LastError and LastErrorNumber report the failure, and Execute, Test, Replace and Split raise it.

A named group is written (?<name>...). Its text is read from the SubMatches of a Match by name, and used in Replace as $<name>.

Example

Dim re As RegExp
Set re = New RegExp
Debug.Print re.Pattern = vbNullString  ' True

re.Pattern = "b+"
Debug.Print re.Pattern                 ' b+
Debug.Print re.Replace("abbbc", "-")   ' a-c

See Also

• IsValid property – whether the pattern compiles
• IgnoreCase property – the option that changes how the pattern is compiled
• Execute method – returns the matches
• RegExp class – overview