Accessing a private field in class module - vba

Question

I have this simplified class module clXXX....
':: backing field
Private fTemplateBk As Excel.Workbook
':::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'::
':: constructor
Private Sub Class_Initialize()
End Sub
':::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'::
':: properties
Property Get TemplateBk() 'As Excel.Workbook '<< different error messages depending on if "As Excel.Workbook" is included or not
TemplateBk = fTemplateBk
End Property
':::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'::
':: methods
Public Sub openTemplate()
Set fTemplateBk = Excel.Workbooks.Open("\\xxx\yyy\zzz.xlsx")
End Sub
Public Sub someMethod()
Me.TemplateBk.Sheets(1).Activate
End Sub
Normal module:
Sub control()
Dim x As clXXX
Set x = New clXXX
x.openTemplate
x.someMethod '<<<<<<errors here
End Sub
I want to only access the private field fTemplateBk via the read-only property TemplateBk using code such as me.TemplateBk. .... How do I amend the above so this is possible?

Answer 1

You need to make that property public and must use Set keyword.
Check the below code and confirm if it works:
Private fTemplateBk As Excel.Workbook
Public Property Get TemplateBk() As Excel.Workbook
Set TemplateBk = fTemplateBk
End Property

Answer 2

Your someMethod should use the private field fTemplateBk as it is private from outside, not from inside.
Public Sub someMethod()
Me.fTemplateBk.Sheets(1).Activate
End Sub
If you need to use the property from outside, in your normal module you should use:
Sub control()
Dim x As clXXX
Set x = New clXXX
x.openTemplate
x.TemplateBk.Sheets(1).Activate
End Sub
UPDATE 1
If you want to keep your code as it is, just add the SET in your TemplateBk getter and the code will work. As you can see in the picture, I used your same code with this change and it works.
Property Get TemplateBk() 'As Excel.Workbook
Set TemplateBk = fTemplateBk 'add the SET at the beggining
End Property