> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://nolongerset.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Understanding COM - DevCon 2022 - URL: https://nolongerset.com/understanding-com/ - Published: 2022-04-28T16:40:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-08T12:58:00.000Z - Description: Links and resources from my talk today at Access DevCon Vienna 2022, Understanding COM. - Author: Mike Wolfe - Tags: Presentations, COM, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59 ## Slide Deck [UnderstandingCOM-DevCon2022.pdf](https://assets.nolongerset.com/UnderstandingCOM-DevCon2022.pdf) ## Further Reading ### High-Level COM Overview [What the #$%& is COM!?One of the most important concepts in VBA is also one of the least understood. Let’s shine a light on the Component Object Model.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/11/woman-1820868_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/what-the-heck-is-com/) [What is COM?The concept of COM explained in under 100 words. #Under100![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/03/binary-code-475664_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/under-100-com/) [High Level Overview of COMThis whirlwind tour of the Component Object Model technology will jump start your journey of automating Excel from VBA in Access.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/11/drone-1462463_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/high-level-overview-of-com/) [Overcoming Programming Language Barriers with COMCOM is sort of like a Chinese restaurant.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/03/noodle-4219235_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/language-barriers/) [Early vs. Late Binding at the Chinese RestaurantIn this continuation of our Chinese restaurant-COM metaphor, we expand the example to illustrate the differences between early and late binding.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/03/beef-4985993_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/early-vs-late-binding-chinese-restaurant/) [Managing Memory in COMWe continue on with our restaurant analogy to explain the concept of reference counting and COM object cleanup.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/03/drinks-2578446_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/managing-memory-in-com/) [COM Server Types: In-Process vs. Local vs. RemoteThere are three basic types of COM servers: in-process, local, and remote. What do they have in common? What are the differences? Let’s explore.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/12/COM-Server-Types-1.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/com-server-types/) ### Low-Level Details [The IUnknown InterfaceAll COM objects are required to support at least one interface: the IUnknown interface. In this short article, we explore the three methods of IUnknown.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/03/fashion-1536963_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/the-iunknown-interface/) [The IDispatch InterfaceFor a COM object to support late binding in VBA, it must implement the IDispatch interface. Let’s explore IDispatch and its four methods.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/03/PXL_20220326_042127336.PORTRAIT-1--001.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/the-idispatch-interface/) [Reference Counting’s Fatal Flaw: Circular ReferencesWe look at several types of circular references along with a handy tool that you can use to help identify circular references in your own code.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/04/team-4200837_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/circular-references/) [Loading VBE Addins - A Windows Registry TourLet’s pull back the curtain and see how VBA loads VBE COM add-ins via a series of registry calls.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/04/pipes-4161383_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/loading-vbe-addins-registry-tour/) ### Practical Applications [Microsoft Office COM Automation LibrariesThe VBA developer’s guide to automating Microsoft Office applications: early vs late binding; CreateObject vs GetObject; and tips on cleaning up after yourself.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/12/Office-COM-Automation.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/microsoft-office-com-automation/) [Early Binding vs. Late Binding: The Essential Guide for VBA DevelopersThe Absolute Minimum Every VBA Developer Absolutely, Positively Must Know About Early and Late Binding in COM (No Excuses!)![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/11/Early-Binding-vs.-Late-Binding.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/early-binding-vs-late-binding/) ## Future Presentations If you enjoyed today's presentation, you can catch me at the following upcoming events: [Access Europe – Mike Wolfe (Building Ribbon Interfaces in Code) – Europe – AccessUserGroups.org![](https://accessusergroups.org/europe/wp-content/themes/access-user-groups/img/apple-touch-icon.png)![](https://accessusergroups.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/web-enable-Access.jpg)](https://accessusergroups.org/europe/event/access-europe-2022-07-06/)