How do I assign Word Viewer 2003 to Quick View Shell command?

[Shotodragon]

Windows 95 and Windows 98 used to be shipped with a 'Quick View' command
application -- quickview.exe -- which was accessible from the shell command
context menu by right-clicking a file in order to preview the file without
opening it.

After switching to Windows XP Home Edition, but still running Microsoft
Office 2000, I tried a workaround suggested on the Windows KB, whereby the
'Quick View' command could be associated with the Word 97-2000 application.
This worked fine.

But now, having upgraded again to Windows XP Professional, but still running
Microsoft Office 2000 (fully patched with SP3 update, etc), my attempts to
reproduce the above preview commands using Word 2003 and Excel 2003 viewers
produces the following error messages: -

'Word Viewer experienced an error trying to open the file.
Try these suggestions.
* Check the file permissions for the document or drive.
* Make sure there is sufficient memory and disk space.
* Open the file with the Text Recovery Converter.'

... and in the case of the Excel 2003 viewer ...

''C:\documents' could not be found. Check the spelling of the file and
verify that the file location is correct ...'

NB: Word and Excel open files without a problem, and the Viewers do the same
when accessed from the 'Send To' context menu.

Any constructive suggestions as to how I could solve this problem would be
much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Gary Smith]

It sounds like the command to open the viewer is incorrect. Does it
contain a %1 parameter? Is that parameter in quotes, like this "%1"?

Windows 95 and Windows 98 used to be shipped with a 'Quick View' command
application -- quickview.exe -- which was accessible from the shell command
context menu by right-clicking a file in order to preview the file without
opening it.

After switching to Windows XP Home Edition, but still running Microsoft
Office 2000, I tried a workaround suggested on the Windows KB, whereby the
'Quick View' command could be associated with the Word 97-2000 application.
This worked fine.

But now, having upgraded again to Windows XP Professional, but still running
Microsoft Office 2000 (fully patched with SP3 update, etc), my attempts to
reproduce the above preview commands using Word 2003 and Excel 2003 viewers
produces the following error messages: -

'Word Viewer experienced an error trying to open the file.
Try these suggestions.
* Check the file permissions for the document or drive.
* Make sure there is sufficient memory and disk space.
* Open the file with the Text Recovery Converter.'

... and in the case of the Excel 2003 viewer ...

''C:\documents' could not be found. Check the spelling of the file and
verify that the file location is correct ...'

NB: Word and Excel open files without a problem, and the Viewers do the same
when accessed from the 'Send To' context menu.

 

[Shotodragon]

Dear Gary:

Many thanks for the swift reply.

I've tried the following syntax combinations for the command line in order
add the shell context command, for the Word Viewer, in the 'Editing action
for type' dialog box, but to no avail: -

:: Action:
&Quick View
OR
Word &View

:: Application used to perform action:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" %1
OR
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"
OR
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE %1"

DDE Message:
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]

:: Application
Wordview

:: Topic
System

I'm certainly no programmer, so it's more than likely that my VB command
string syntax is just plain wrong.

If so, please do let me know how I should correct it.

Many thanks

SHOTODRAGON

 

[Gary Smith]

I tried an experiment on my system. Here's what happened. First I went
to Folder Options | File Types, selected DOC, clicked Advanced and added
a new action named "View". In the "Application used ..." box I entered
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE"

Windows automatically added %1 to the string when it was stored, so the
result when viewed later looked like this:
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" %1

This created an enter on the context menu for .DOC file which succeeds in
opening them unless they have spaces in their names. Attempting to open a
file with a space in its name resulted in the same Word Viewer error
message you reported.

I then modified the application string to read
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"
Now even files with spaces in their names can be opened by right-clicking
on the filename and clicking View.

I did not attempt to do anything with DDE because I know very little about
it and am not aware of any situation where I would make use of it.

Dear Gary:

Many thanks for the swift reply.

I've tried the following syntax combinations for the command line in order
add the shell context command, for the Word Viewer, in the 'Editing action
for type' dialog box, but to no avail: -

:: Action:
&Quick View
OR
Word &View

:: Application used to perform action:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" %1
OR
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"
OR
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE %1"

DDE Message:
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]

:: Application
Wordview

:: Topic
System

I'm certainly no programmer, so it's more than likely that my VB command
string syntax is just plain wrong.

 

[Shotodragon]

OK, now I'm starting to make some progress, here: -) -- many thanks.

I, too, had tried to execute a similar context menu shell command to use the
Word Viewer (see my previous posts), and allow Windows to automatically
generate the 1% command string parameter, which I then modified to:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"

This didn't work, and produced the dialog error messages I referred to in my
original post.

However, modifying the 'application opens with' string again to:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" ("%1")

has solved the problem -- producing the same result you have arrived at.

However, I am still receiving the same 'cannot find document' error messages
when trying to apply the above command line syntax to the Excel Viewer:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\XLVIEW.EXE" ("%1") /e

I think this is because the /e switch actually prevents Excel Viewer from
opening the file I am trying to view:-o
(http://www.winplanet.com/article/1865-.htm)

I've tried this without the /e switch, but still no joy ...

Back to the drawing board, with one problem solved!

SHOTODRAGON

____________________________________________

I tried an experiment on my system. Here's what happened. First I went
to Folder Options | File Types, selected DOC, clicked Advanced and added
a new action named "View". In the "Application used ..." box I entered
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE"

Windows automatically added %1 to the string when it was stored, so the
result when viewed later looked like this:
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" %1

This created an enter on the context menu for .DOC file which succeeds in
opening them unless they have spaces in their names. Attempting to open a
file with a space in its name resulted in the same Word Viewer error
message you reported.

I then modified the application string to read
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"
Now even files with spaces in their names can be opened by right-clicking
on the filename and clicking View.

I did not attempt to do anything with DDE because I know very little about
it and am not aware of any situation where I would make use of it.

Dear Gary:

Many thanks for the swift reply.

I've tried the following syntax combinations for the command line in
order
add the shell context command, for the Word Viewer, in the 'Editing
action
for type' dialog box, but to no avail: -

:: Action:
&Quick View
OR
Word &View

:: Application used to perform action:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" %1
OR
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"
OR
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE %1"

DDE Message:
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]

:: Application
Wordview

:: Topic
System

I'm certainly no programmer, so it's more than likely that my VB command
string syntax is just plain wrong.

If so, please do let me know how I should correct it.

Many thanks

"Gary Smith" wrote:

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Shoto,

While the Word and Excel apps have a number of startup
switches available for the full apps

Word:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;210565&FR=1
Excel:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;291288&FR=1

not all of those are supported in the Viewer apps, nor
is automation/macros within the apps.

Word Viewer 2003 (Wordview.exe) help file
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011298331033.aspx

Excel Viewer 2003 (XLView.exe) help file
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011298341033.aspx

========
OK, now I'm starting to make some progress, here: -) -- many thanks.

I, too, had tried to execute a similar context menu shell command to use the
Word Viewer (see my previous posts), and allow Windows to automatically
generate the 1% command string parameter, which I then modified to:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"

This didn't work, and produced the dialog error messages I referred to in my
original post.

However, modifying the 'application opens with' string again to:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" ("%1")

has solved the problem -- producing the same result you have arrived at.

However, I am still receiving the same 'cannot find document' error messages
when trying to apply the above command line syntax to the Excel Viewer:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\XLVIEW.EXE" ("%1") /e

I think this is because the /e switch actually prevents Excel Viewer from
opening the file I am trying to view:-o
(http://www.winplanet.com/article/1865-.htm)

I've tried this without the /e switch, but still no joy ...

Back to the drawing board, with one problem solved!

SHOTODRAGON>>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 Editions explained
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.mspx

 

[Shotodragon]

Hi Bob

Many thanks for the URLs to Word, Excel and their associated viewers
below

From what I understand, having looked at the Microsoft Office and Windows
Knowledge Base sites, the Excel Viewer appears to be considerably less
capable of customisation than the Word Viewer.

As you will gather from previous posts -- thanks to Gary Smith's help --
I've now solved the problem I had adding shell command to view Word
Documents using Word Viewer via the context menu (a result of faulty command
line syntax on my part, I think).

But, still no such luck with the Excel Viewer (even though it does not
appear, like the Word Viewer, to be capable of automation) -- and I simply
do not understand why ...

I offer the possible explanations (as hypotheses) in the hope that you are
another MVP or Power User might be able to hit on a solution: -

(1) Excel Viewer 2003 is not compatible with my current configuration in
order to devise context-menu shell commands: Windows XP Professional SP2 --
but running Microsoft Office 2000 SP3; or

(2) Excel Viewer 2003 is only designed to work with Microsoft Office 2003,
if both are installed on the same machine; or

(3) Excel Viewer 2003 searches for a default path to "C:\My Documents.xls"
inside the Registry at
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Excel... whereas Excel 2000
searches for the same default path at
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\ExcelIf (1) is true, then
could I substitute Excel Viewer 1997-2000? (NB: Word Viewer 2003 now works
OK)

If (2) is true, then would all be well if I upgraded to Microsoft Office
2003?

If (3) is true, then is there a Registry Key I can modify or write to direct
the Excel Viewer to the right default location?

Many thanks.

Shotodragon

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

[ArtDuck]

I've tried the string of commands and everything seems fine until I try to
view, the viewer opens but there's nothing to see!

OK, now I'm starting to make some progress, here: -) -- many thanks.

I, too, had tried to execute a similar context menu shell command to use the
Word Viewer (see my previous posts), and allow Windows to automatically
generate the 1% command string parameter, which I then modified to:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"

This didn't work, and produced the dialog error messages I referred to in my
original post.

However, modifying the 'application opens with' string again to:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" ("%1")

has solved the problem -- producing the same result you have arrived at.

However, I am still receiving the same 'cannot find document' error messages
when trying to apply the above command line syntax to the Excel Viewer:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\XLVIEW.EXE" ("%1") /e

I think this is because the /e switch actually prevents Excel Viewer from
opening the file I am trying to view:-o
(http://www.winplanet.com/article/1865-.htm)

I've tried this without the /e switch, but still no joy ...

Back to the drawing board, with one problem solved!

SHOTODRAGON

____________________________________________

I tried an experiment on my system. Here's what happened. First I went
to Folder Options | File Types, selected DOC, clicked Advanced and added
a new action named "View". In the "Application used ..." box I entered
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE"

Windows automatically added %1 to the string when it was stored, so the
result when viewed later looked like this:
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" %1

This created an enter on the context menu for .DOC file which succeeds in
opening them unless they have spaces in their names. Attempting to open a
file with a space in its name resulted in the same Word Viewer error
message you reported.

I then modified the application string to read
"D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"
Now even files with spaces in their names can be opened by right-clicking
on the filename and clicking View.

I did not attempt to do anything with DDE because I know very little about
it and am not aware of any situation where I would make use of it.

Dear Gary:

Many thanks for the swift reply.

I've tried the following syntax combinations for the command line in
order
add the shell context command, for the Word Viewer, in the 'Editing
action
for type' dialog box, but to no avail: -

:: Action:
&Quick View
OR
Word &View

:: Application used to perform action:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" %1
OR
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" "%1"
OR
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE %1"

DDE Message:
[REM _DDE_Direct][FileOpen("%1")]

:: Application
Wordview

:: Topic
System

I'm certainly no programmer, so it's more than likely that my VB command
string syntax is just plain wrong.

If so, please do let me know how I should correct it.

Many thanks

"Gary Smith" wrote:

It sounds like the command to open the viewer is incorrect. Does it
contain a %1 parameter? Is that parameter in quotes, like this "%1"?


Windows 95 and Windows 98 used to be shipped with a 'Quick View'
command
application -- quickview.exe -- which was accessible from the shell
command
context menu by right-clicking a file in order to preview the file
without
opening it.

After switching to Windows XP Home Edition, but still running
Microsoft
Office 2000, I tried a workaround suggested on the Windows KB, whereby
the
'Quick View' command could be associated with the Word 97-2000
application.
This worked fine.

But now, having upgraded again to Windows XP Professional, but still
running
Microsoft Office 2000 (fully patched with SP3 update, etc), my
attempts to
reproduce the above preview commands using Word 2003 and Excel 2003
viewers
produces the following error messages: -

'Word Viewer experienced an error trying to open the file.
Try these suggestions.
* Check the file permissions for the document or drive.
* Make sure there is sufficient memory and disk space.
* Open the file with the Text Recovery Converter.'

... and in the case of the Excel 2003 viewer ...

''C:\documents' could not be found. Check the spelling of the file and
verify that the file location is correct ...'

NB: Word and Excel open files without a problem, and the Viewers do
the same
when accessed from the 'Send To' context menu.

Any constructive suggestions as to how I could solve this problem
would be
much appreciated.

Thanks.