Automating Excel on a Server

[Matthew Wieder]

OK, let's get over the "that's not supported" etc. I've read KB
articles 288366, 288367 and 257757.

Very simply, I want to know if there is a way to automate Excel such
that no one need be logged into the machine yet if an error does occur,
someone can login to the machine and see the GUI.

I've been experimenting with creating a service and having it run both
as the SYSTEM account and as a particular user and also I've been
playing with the Excel DCOM settings to have it run as interactive user
or as a specific user. I can get the thing to run unattended, but I
can't see the GUI when I log in.

Does anyone have the solution?
thanks!

 

[Peter Huang [MSFT]]

Hi Matthew,

The behavior you observed is by design. Windows Stations and desktop
objects are windows objects. A window station object will contain a few
desktop objects. When you login, you will see a desktop, which is a visible
desktop in a visible windows station. In this case you can launch the
application such as excel, and you may see them visible. But when you
launch them in another way, such as in the DCOM, or another specific user
account , then they will run but not visible.

In the KB Q288367 said that
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=288367
COM create a unique WinStation for the new instance of the Office
application. Any dialog boxes or warnings that may display do not appear on
the interactive desktop. If you set the Visible flag for an application,
the interactive user will not see that application. For more information
about COM and WinStations, see the "References" section.

Here is the link of References about WinStation.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;169321

Regards,
Peter Huang
Microsoft Online Partner Support
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Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 15:49:22 -0400
From: Matthew Wieder <[email protected]>
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