I'm writing something to hack Excel (I can't help specifically with Word), and one of the techniques I have found useful is to write a VBA prototype. That way, you can work out the VBA references using intellisense, which typically gives you all the available options. Then it's relatively simple to rewrite the Messware code in Perl. The one thing I can't help you on is why and when {braces} are needed. The only Excel use I have found is in $app->{Visible} = 1. Watch out, though, for case. Perl is case sensitive while VBA isn't - it will convert case for you, and whatever it gives you is what you should use.

Regards,

John Davies