When distributing your VB6 application:
Different versions of Office install different FM20 versions. Design your project on the minimum version you expect users to have. Usually, FM20.DLL version 2.0 (from Office 97/2000) is safest for broad compatibility.
Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library provides controls (TextBox, Label, CommandButton, ListBox, ComboBox, Frame, OptionButton, CheckBox, Image, RefEdit, etc.) used in classic VB6 forms and in userforms for Office VBA. It ships as FM20.DLL and exposes the runtime and design-time objects for creating and manipulating form controls.
Let’s build a small example.
Form Layout:
Code:
Private Sub Form_Initialize() With lstEmployees .ColumnCount = 3 .ColumnWidths = "40;150;120" .AddItem "101;Alice Johnson;HR" .AddItem "102;Bob Smith;IT" .AddItem "103;Carol Davis;Finance" End With End SubPrivate Sub cmdAdd_Click() Dim nextID As Integer nextID = lstEmployees.ListCount + 101 Dim newRow As String newRow = CStr(nextID) & ";" & txtName.Text & ";" & cboDept.Text lstEmployees.AddItem newRow txtName.Text = "" cboDept.Text = "" End Sub
Private Sub lstEmployees_Click() ' Display selected name MsgBox "You selected: " & lstEmployees.Column(1, lstEmployees.ListIndex) End Sub
Overview
Strengths
Weaknesses
Technical notes for VB6 developers
Recommendations
Concise verdict
Unlocking the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library in VB6 If you are maintaining legacy Visual Basic 6 (VB6) applications or writing VBA macros, you have likely encountered the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library (FM20.DLL). While it is primarily designed for Office UserForms, it offers a suite of versatile controls and features that can be highly useful in specialized scenarios. Key Benefits and Features
The Forms 2.0 Library provides a different set of tools compared to the standard VB6 intrinsic controls.
Enhanced Control Set: Access a variety of specialized UI elements like MultiPage, TabStrip, SpinButton, and Image controls.
Clipboard Interaction: The MSForms.DataObject is a powerful tool for sophisticated clipboard handling beyond simple text, allowing you to manage data formats more precisely.
Rich Collections: The library organizes elements into logical structures like the Controls, Pages, and Tabs collections, making it easier to programmatically iterate through complex UI layouts.
Bidirectional Support: Controls can exhibit right-to-left characteristics, which is essential for developing localized applications for certain languages. How to Add the Library to Your Project microsoft forms 20 object library vb6
To use these features, you must explicitly reference the library in your development environment: Open your VB6 or VBA project. Go to Tools → References.
Locate and check the box for Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library.
If it is not listed, use the Browse button to find FM20.DLL in your system folder (typically found in System32 or SysWOW64). Crucial Redistribution and Licensing Warnings
Before you start building, there are critical legal and technical "gotchas" to keep in mind: Collections, controls, and objects (Microsoft Forms)
Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library ) is a legacy component primarily used in VBA but occasionally referenced in Visual Basic 6.0 (VB6) to access enhanced UI features like Unicode support multi-column list boxes Spiceworks Community Core Features of the Library
While designed for VBA UserForms, it provides several advantages over standard VB6 controls: Unicode Compatibility
: Unlike standard VB6 controls, which are mostly ANSI-based, Forms 2.0 controls can display Unicode characters, making them useful for internationalization. Multi-Column Controls : It includes
controls that natively support multiple columns without complex API calls. Right-to-Left (RTL) Support : Controls exhibit bidirectional characteristics when the RightToLeft
property is enabled, aiding in localization for RTL languages. Advanced UI Elements : Access to controls like the objects, as well as a specialized DataObject for handling clipboard operations. How to Add the Library in VB6 Open your VB6 project. Navigate to Project > References Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library in the list and check the box. If not listed and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\FM20.DLL on 64-bit systems). Google Groups Critical Limitations & Risks
Developers should be cautious when using this library in compiled VB6 applications:
Add object libraries to your Visual Basic project - Microsoft Support
In Visual Basic 6.0 (VB6), the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library (FM20.DLL) is primarily used for its set of lightweight ActiveX controls (like text boxes and combo boxes) and for handling clipboard data via the DataObject.
However, this library is not the standard tool for creating reports in VB6. For reporting, you should use the built-in Data Report designer or the Data Environment. How to Create a Report in VB6 (The Standard Way)
Instead of using the Forms 2.0 library, follow these steps to use the native Data Report Designer: Add a Data Environment: Go to the Project menu and select Add Data Environment.
Set up a connection to your database and create a "Command" (query) to pull the data you want in your report. Add a Data Report: Go to Project -> Add Data Report.
If you don't see it, go to Project -> Components, click the Designers tab, and check Data Report. Design the Layout:
Set the Data Report's DataSource property to your DataEnvironment1 and the DataMember to your specific command.
Drag and drop fields from your Data Environment onto the Detail section of the report. Display the Report:
Use the command DataReport1.Show in your code to preview or print the report. Why use Microsoft Forms 2.0?
Developers usually only reference the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library in VB6 projects for two specific reasons: Overview
Unicode Support: Its controls (like text boxes) support Unicode, whereas standard VB6 controls often do not.
Clipboard Operations: Accessing the MSForms.DataObject for advanced copy-paste functions.
Note: Microsoft does not recommend redistributing FM20.DLL with your applications because it is part of Microsoft Office. Users must have Office installed for it to work reliably.
Thread: vb6 unicode control by Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library
Using the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library (FM20.DLL) in Visual Basic 6.0 is highly discouraged because it is not legally redistributable and is known to cause severe stability issues.
Below is a complete blog post breaking down the technical details, the deployment risks, and the best practices for handling this library in legacy VB6 projects. ⚠️ Stop Using Microsoft Forms 2.0 in VB6!
If you are maintaining a legacy Visual Basic 6.0 application, you have likely encountered the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library (FM20.DLL). Developers originally gravitated toward this library because it offered advanced UI capabilities that native VB6 controls lacked—such as native Unicode support, and multi-column dropdowns in ComboBoxes and ListBoxes.
However, relying on this library in standalone desktop applications is a massive liability. Let's explore why you should avoid it and how to strip it out of your code safely. 🛑 The Core Problems with FM20.DLL 1. It is Legally Non-Redistributable
According to official Microsoft documentation, you are not allowed to distribute FM20.DLL with your custom application. This library belongs exclusively to Microsoft Office and a few other specific applications. If you package your VB6 installer with this DLL, you are violating Microsoft's licensing terms. 2. The Infamous "System Error" on Clean Machines
Because the library is not part of the standard Windows operating system, your VB6 program will crash immediately with a "System Error" or "Component not correctly registered" prompt on any computer that does not have Microsoft Office installed. 3. Chronic Instability and Memory Leaks
Microsoft explicitly states that the Forms 2.0 components are not supported or recommended for use in compiled development containers like VB6 or C++. Developers frequently experience sudden "Out of Memory" errors and IDE crashes when trying to load or manipulate these controls within the VB6 environment. 🛠️ How to Purge It from Your Project
If your project is already tangled up with Microsoft Forms 2.0 controls, removing them manually through the IDE can be a nightmare. Here is the faster, community-proven way to swap them back to native VB controls: Back up your project folder entirely before proceeding. Close your project in Visual Basic 6.0.
Open a advanced text editor (like Notepad++) and use the "Replace in Files" function.
Search for the string MSForms. and replace it with VB. across all of your .frm (Form) files. This forces the controls to revert to intrinsic VB6 controls. Open your project in the VB6 IDE.
Navigate to Project -> Components and uncheck the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library. Save your project. 💡 What Should You Use Instead?
For Multi-Column Lists: Use the standard ListView control included in the Microsoft Windows Common Controls (MSCOMCTL.OCX), which allows for highly customizable columns and is freely redistributable.
For Unicode Support: If your app strictly requires Unicode, use third-party ActiveX controls designed for VB6, or consider migrating the UI logic to a modern framework like .NET's WinForms.
For Modern Development: If the goal is business forms or surveys, ignore desktop controls entirely and utilize cloud solutions like Microsoft Forms (online) or Power Apps.
Are you running into a specific error while trying to compile or register a VB6 application?
Thread: Removing component Microsoft Forms 2.0 object library ToggleButton. : Frame
A compact up-down control for numeric input. Unlike the VB6 UpDown control (which requires a buddy control), this one works independently.
The Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library extends VB6’s UI capabilities significantly. From multi-column list boxes to tabbed dialogs and clipboard access, this library is a must-know for any serious VB6 programmer.
By understanding how to properly reference, code, and deploy FM20-based controls, you can deliver more professional and functional legacy applications. Just remember to handle versioning, deployment, and the occasional registration issue, and you'll be well-equipped to leverage this powerful library.
Key Takeaway: The keyword "microsoft forms 20 object library vb6" is your gateway to advanced UI programming in classic VB6—master it, and you unlock a world of enhanced form design.
Have questions or additional tips about using FM20 in VB6? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library (contained in ) is a legacy library used to add enhanced GUI controls—such as Unicode-compatible text boxes—to Visual Basic 6.0 and VBA projects.
While it is standard for Microsoft Office, using it in standalone VB6 applications is generally discouraged because it is not redistributable and can cause licensing errors on machines without Office installed. Key Controls and Features
This library provides a set of controls often preferred over standard VB6 "intrinsic" controls because they support
characters (e.g., Greek, Japanese). Common controls include: CodeGuru Forums : TextBox, ComboBox, CheckBox, OptionButton, ToggleButton. : Frame, MultiPage, TabStrip. Interactive : CommandButton, ScrollBar, SpinButton, Image, Label. Clipboard Support : It is also used to handle the DataObject for clipboard operations. Stack Overflow How to Add it to VB6 Can't find Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library or FM20.DLL
It sounds like you're working with some classic VB6 (Visual Basic 6.0) and looking to use the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library
This library is often used in VB6 to get access to "Forms 2.0" controls (like the ones in Microsoft Office) which support features the standard VB6 controls don't, like transparency support.microsoft.com 1. How to Add the Library to Your Project To use these controls in your VB6 IDE, follow these steps: menu and select
The Risky Allure of Microsoft Forms 2.0 (FM20.DLL) in VB6 If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the standard Visual Basic 6.0 toolbox and wishing for more "modern" features—like checkboxes in list boxes or native Unicode support—you’ve likely stumbled upon the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library.
Stored in FM20.DLL, this library is a siren song for VB6 developers. It looks powerful, but it comes with strings attached that could sink your application's stability and legal compliance. Here is everything you need to know before you add that reference. What is the Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library?
Unlike the standard VB6 controls (which are part of the Windows Common Controls), the Forms 2.0 library was designed specifically for Microsoft Office UserForms. It provides a suite of windowless controls including:
Enhanced ComboBoxes: Support for multiple columns and custom list widths.
Unicode Support: One of the few ways to handle non-ANSI characters in legacy VB6.
Layout Tools: Specialized containers like the MultiPage and Frame controls. How to Add It (If You Must)
If you decide to proceed, you can add these controls through the References dialog in the VB6 IDE:
Add object libraries to your Visual Basic project - Microsoft Support