Running other programs with VBA

[NDBC]

I am using a wedge program to link a rs-232 device with excel. To help
streamline things for other users I would like to start the program from
within the excel worksheet that does the scoring. I have done a search and
found that I can start a program using

Shell "C:\path\wedge.exe", vbNormalFocus

What I want to know is can I use command to open a settings file within the
wedge program. It has shortcut keys ALT F then O to open file. Is it possible
to right code to run these keystrokes and type in the filename and path in
the open file window.

If not the settings file will always be number 1 on the list of recently
opened files and can be run by ALT F then 1.

Once the file is opened the wedge program is set to run mininimised
automatically and it automatically brings the focus back to excel so that
part should be okay but is there a way to force the focus back to excel just
to be sure.

 

[Tim Williams]

Does the wedge program have a command line parameter to specify a settings
file?

Tim

 

[NDBC]

Not that I can find. I did notice however if in explorer and I double click
on the configuration file it will open the program with that configuration
loaded. So I tried

shell("c:\program files\wedgelink\ndbc.wlc", 6)


where ndbc.wlc is the configuration file to try and fire it up but this
doesn't work. I also tried

shell("c:\program files\wedgelink\wedglink.exe c:\program
files\wedgelink\ndbc.wlc", 6)

to no avail. The exe and the configuration file are in the same directory.

 

[Tim Williams]

Maybe try this ?

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=166743

Tim

 

[NDBC]

Thanks for finding that. I haven't tried it yet as I don't even pretend to
understand what it means. I especially don't understand the variable me.hwnd
and why the form needs to be loaded. Can anyone explain this to me.

Thanks

 

[Steve Yandl]

You might try reviewing some registry settings to determine the correct
command line to launch a specific file opening.

At the Start | Run line, type "regedit" without the quotes and press Enter.

Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wlc
Take a look at the default value in the right pane (value named Default,
locate what the name is in the data column. It's probably something like
wedgeFile).

Suppose for the example that the default was "wedgeFile". Then, navigate to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\wedgeFile\shell\open\command
Take a look at the command line in the right pane and make note of it. If
you find a "%1", that's a placeholder that represents the path and file name
of the file you want launched. Pay attention to note any switches that
might be needed.


Steve Yandl

 

[Tim Williams]

I hadn't really noticed the forms part, but you can find other "non-form"
examples:

Eg;
http://www.suodenjoki.dk/us/productions/articles/vbashellexecute.htm


Tim

 

[Steve Yandl]

NDBC,

I think finding the correct command line is going to be your best bet and I
offer some hints in a separate comment already posted.

However, if you can't get that to work, you might want to do a bit of
research on the "Tasks" collection available in MS Word VBA. Granted, it
would involve opening and closing a hidden instance of Word from your Excel
VBA but it might give you the tools you need. Basically, Tasks are open
applications and you can use the Name property to isolate the specific one
you're needing to work with. At that point, you can send a Windows message
(a hex number that causes the application to do a specific thing based on
that hex number). Since I don't have the wedge.exe program you're working
with, it's tough to offer anything more specific.


Steve Yandl