but the solutions you suggest both give 'error 1004 Application
defined or object defined error'.

I'm confused as my original code still works fine  as a macro. It's when I
attach it to a button  I get the problem.

Obviously I can work round by assigning a key to the macro, and I don't want
to take up more of either of your time. Equally I'm bugged by not being able
to resolve it - it seems so simple even to my limited abilities - and would
be happy to hear any other ideas.