If you want to use variables as array dimensions, use REDIM instead of DIM. Function to parse the line: x=split("a , b c", "|") After this x(0) contains "a" and x(1) - "b c". For a reason that escapes me, some sample applications generate error 'license not found'. To get rid of it, find file vbctls.reg on the VB installation CD and merge it to your registry.