If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?

myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2

I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter is
specified.
--
Trefor

Macros cannot be run from the Command line.

Place your arguments in a Workbook_Open event in Thisworkbook module.

Or Auto_Open in a standard module.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:44:02 -0700, Trefor <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
>
>myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
>
>I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter is
>specified.

its very limited.

what you can do is create a VBScript file that can open excel & you can pass
arguments to this...

so create a workbook here: C:\temp\DemoBook4.xls
add this procedure to a standard code module:=

Option Explicit
Sub DemoRoutine(a As String, b As String, c As String)
MsgBox a & vbCrLf & b & vbCrLf & c
End Sub

Onto your desktop, add a new textfile, call it anything you like, but change
the .TXT extension to .VBS
wdir with Notepad and paste this:-

option explicit
dim wb
dim xl
set xl = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
set wb = xl.workbooks.Open( "C:\temp\DemoBook4.xls")
xl.visible = true
xl.run
"DemoRoutine",wscript.arguments.item(0),wscript.arguments.item(1),wscript.arguments.item(2)
wb.Close False
xl.quit
set wb = nothing
set xl = nothing


open a command window

type
cd desktop [return]
"new text document.vbs" "a" "b" "c"

basically you're running a VBScript file and passing three arguments to it.
The script opens an excel file and calls the procedure, passing to it the
three variables...which you see in the excel mssage






"Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:A7FC1773-7EAA-4840-B0CB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
>
> myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
>
> I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter is
> specified.
> --
> Trefor

ctac,

Thankyou for the reply.

Sorry I can't read French and I am using XL2003. This look similar to the
code I saw for getting the cmd line from Excel itself as opposed to the
workbook cmd line?

--
Trefor


"ctac" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> You can try that. It's OK with XL2007 and Vista.
> Sorry, it's in french.
>
> http://xcell05.free.fr/pages/prog/parametres.htm
>
> ctac
>
> "Trefor" wrote:
>
> > If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
> >
> > myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
> >
> > I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter is
> > specified.
> > --
> > Trefor

Patrick,

Many thanks for the reply, please see my reply to Steve.

--
Trefor


"Patrick Molloy" wrote:

> its very limited.
>
> what you can do is create a VBScript file that can open excel & you can pass
> arguments to this...
>
> so create a workbook here: C:\temp\DemoBook4.xls
> add this procedure to a standard code module:=
>
> Option Explicit
> Sub DemoRoutine(a As String, b As String, c As String)
> MsgBox a & vbCrLf & b & vbCrLf & c
> End Sub
>
> Onto your desktop, add a new textfile, call it anything you like, but change
> the .TXT extension to .VBS
> wdir with Notepad and paste this:-
>
> option explicit
> dim wb
> dim xl
> set xl = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
> set wb = xl.workbooks.Open( "C:\temp\DemoBook4.xls")
> xl.visible = true
> xl.run
> "DemoRoutine",wscript.arguments.item(0),wscript.arguments.item(1),wscript.arguments.item(2)
> wb.Close False
> xl.quit
> set wb = nothing
> set xl = nothing
>
>
> open a command window
>
> type
> cd desktop [return]
> "new text document.vbs" "a" "b" "c"
>
> basically you're running a VBScript file and passing three arguments to it.
> The script opens an excel file and calls the procedure, passing to it the
> three variables...which you see in the excel mssage
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:A7FC1773-7EAA-4840-B0CB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
> >
> > myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
> >
> > I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter is
> > specified.
> > --
> > Trefor
>

Patrick / Steve,

This is my first venture into VBScript and I know this is the start of what
will work for me. As it stands the VBScript will error if all the args are
not specified. What is the best way to handle this?

I tied this and it appears to work, but look a little excessive:

If Arg1 <> "" and Arg2 <> "" then
objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), CStr(Arg2)
Elseif Arg2 <> "" then
objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), ""
Else
objXL.run "TestMacro", "" , ""
End If

--
Trefor


"Steve Yandl" wrote:

> Trefor,
>
> I've always used a vbScript file as a sort of helper file to do this sort of
> thing.
>
> For my test, I created a workbook named "C:\Test\TestBk1.xls". In module 1
> I created a subroutine named "TestMacro" that takes two text string
> arguments.
>
> Now I create a text file that I name "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs". The contents
> of this script is shown between the lines below,
> ________________________________________
> arg1 = WScript.Arguments(0)
> arg2 = WScript.Arguments(1)
>
>
> Set objXL = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
> objXL.Visible = True
> Set objWkbk = objXL.Workbooks.Open("C:\Test\TestBk1.xls")
> objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(arg1), CStr(arg2)
> __________________________________________
>
> Now, the command line that I can use at the prompt for cmd.exe or at the
> 'Start > Run' line for Windows would be:
> WScript.exe "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs" "dog" "cat"
> Note, that I am using WScript.exe with the name of my vbs file as the first
> argument. After that is a space followed by my first argument to go to the
> vbs script and then a second space followed by my final argument. Those
> arguments will be retrieved in the WScript.Arguments collection. In the
> script, all the arguments will be treated as variant type so you will want
> to convert them to the appropriate data type before sending them to your
> Excel macro.
>
>
> Steve Yandl
>
>
>
>
> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:A7FC1773-7EAA-4840-B0CB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
> >
> > myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
> >
> > I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter is
> > specified.
> > --
> > Trefor
>
>
>

use .Arguments.Count to check that you have enough

eg
dim expected
expected = 3
if wscript.arguments.count = expected then
msgbox "OK"
else
msgbox "Missing arg"
end if

"Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:CCBE89FF-1C54-4740-9602-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Patrick / Steve,
>
> This is my first venture into VBScript and I know this is the start of
> what
> will work for me. As it stands the VBScript will error if all the args are
> not specified. What is the best way to handle this?
>
> I tied this and it appears to work, but look a little excessive:
>
> If Arg1 <> "" and Arg2 <> "" then
> objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), CStr(Arg2)
> Elseif Arg2 <> "" then
> objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), ""
> Else
> objXL.run "TestMacro", "" , ""
> End If
>
> --
> Trefor
>
>
> "Steve Yandl" wrote:
>
>> Trefor,
>>
>> I've always used a vbScript file as a sort of helper file to do this sort
>> of
>> thing.
>>
>> For my test, I created a workbook named "C:\Test\TestBk1.xls". In module
>> 1
>> I created a subroutine named "TestMacro" that takes two text string
>> arguments.
>>
>> Now I create a text file that I name "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs". The
>> contents
>> of this script is shown between the lines below,
>> ________________________________________
>> arg1 = WScript.Arguments(0)
>> arg2 = WScript.Arguments(1)
>>
>>
>> Set objXL = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
>> objXL.Visible = True
>> Set objWkbk = objXL.Workbooks.Open("C:\Test\TestBk1.xls")
>> objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(arg1), CStr(arg2)
>> __________________________________________
>>
>> Now, the command line that I can use at the prompt for cmd.exe or at the
>> 'Start > Run' line for Windows would be:
>> WScript.exe "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs" "dog" "cat"
>> Note, that I am using WScript.exe with the name of my vbs file as the
>> first
>> argument. After that is a space followed by my first argument to go to
>> the
>> vbs script and then a second space followed by my final argument. Those
>> arguments will be retrieved in the WScript.Arguments collection. In the
>> script, all the arguments will be treated as variant type so you will
>> want
>> to convert them to the appropriate data type before sending them to your
>> Excel macro.
>>
>>
>> Steve Yandl
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:A7FC1773-7EAA-4840-B0CB-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
>> >
>> > myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
>> >
>> > I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter
>> > is
>> > specified.
>> > --
>> > Trefor
>>
>>
>>

Patrick,

Thanks, but I guess I would still need the multiple IF statements (or Select
Case if that works in VBScript?) to cover the different counts?

Also on another note, this script starts a new instance of Excel. Is it
possible to use the existing instance if one already exists?

--
Trefor


"Patrick Molloy" wrote:

> use .Arguments.Count to check that you have enough
>
> eg
> dim expected
> expected = 3
> if wscript.arguments.count = expected then
> msgbox "OK"
> else
> msgbox "Missing arg"
> end if
>
> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:CCBE89FF-1C54-4740-9602-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Patrick / Steve,
> >
> > This is my first venture into VBScript and I know this is the start of
> > what
> > will work for me. As it stands the VBScript will error if all the args are
> > not specified. What is the best way to handle this?
> >
> > I tied this and it appears to work, but look a little excessive:
> >
> > If Arg1 <> "" and Arg2 <> "" then
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), CStr(Arg2)
> > Elseif Arg2 <> "" then
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), ""
> > Else
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", "" , ""
> > End If
> >
> > --
> > Trefor
> >
> >
> > "Steve Yandl" wrote:
> >
> >> Trefor,
> >>
> >> I've always used a vbScript file as a sort of helper file to do this sort
> >> of
> >> thing.
> >>
> >> For my test, I created a workbook named "C:\Test\TestBk1.xls". In module
> >> 1
> >> I created a subroutine named "TestMacro" that takes two text string
> >> arguments.
> >>
> >> Now I create a text file that I name "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs". The
> >> contents
> >> of this script is shown between the lines below,
> >> ________________________________________
> >> arg1 = WScript.Arguments(0)
> >> arg2 = WScript.Arguments(1)
> >>
> >>
> >> Set objXL = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
> >> objXL.Visible = True
> >> Set objWkbk = objXL.Workbooks.Open("C:\Test\TestBk1.xls")
> >> objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(arg1), CStr(arg2)
> >> __________________________________________
> >>
> >> Now, the command line that I can use at the prompt for cmd.exe or at the
> >> 'Start > Run' line for Windows would be:
> >> WScript.exe "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs" "dog" "cat"
> >> Note, that I am using WScript.exe with the name of my vbs file as the
> >> first
> >> argument. After that is a space followed by my first argument to go to
> >> the
> >> vbs script and then a second space followed by my final argument. Those
> >> arguments will be retrieved in the WScript.Arguments collection. In the
> >> script, all the arguments will be treated as variant type so you will
> >> want
> >> to convert them to the appropriate data type before sending them to your
> >> Excel macro.
> >>
> >>
> >> Steve Yandl
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:A7FC1773-7EAA-4840-B0CB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
> >> >
> >> > myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
> >> >
> >> > I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter
> >> > is
> >> > specified.
> >> > --
> >> > Trefor
> >>
> >>
> >>

Patrick,

Many thanks for you reply. I would still have to use multiple IF statements
for each count though wouldn’t I?

Also on another note, this script starts a new instance of Excel. Is it
possible for the script to use the existing instance if there is one?

--
Trefor


"Patrick Molloy" wrote:

> use .Arguments.Count to check that you have enough
>
> eg
> dim expected
> expected = 3
> if wscript.arguments.count = expected then
> msgbox "OK"
> else
> msgbox "Missing arg"
> end if
>
> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:CCBE89FF-1C54-4740-9602-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Patrick / Steve,
> >
> > This is my first venture into VBScript and I know this is the start of
> > what
> > will work for me. As it stands the VBScript will error if all the args are
> > not specified. What is the best way to handle this?
> >
> > I tied this and it appears to work, but look a little excessive:
> >
> > If Arg1 <> "" and Arg2 <> "" then
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), CStr(Arg2)
> > Elseif Arg2 <> "" then
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), ""
> > Else
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", "" , ""
> > End If
> >
> > --
> > Trefor
> >
> >
> > "Steve Yandl" wrote:
> >
> >> Trefor,
> >>
> >> I've always used a vbScript file as a sort of helper file to do this sort
> >> of
> >> thing.
> >>
> >> For my test, I created a workbook named "C:\Test\TestBk1.xls". In module
> >> 1
> >> I created a subroutine named "TestMacro" that takes two text string
> >> arguments.
> >>
> >> Now I create a text file that I name "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs". The
> >> contents
> >> of this script is shown between the lines below,
> >> ________________________________________
> >> arg1 = WScript.Arguments(0)
> >> arg2 = WScript.Arguments(1)
> >>
> >>
> >> Set objXL = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
> >> objXL.Visible = True
> >> Set objWkbk = objXL.Workbooks.Open("C:\Test\TestBk1.xls")
> >> objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(arg1), CStr(arg2)
> >> __________________________________________
> >>
> >> Now, the command line that I can use at the prompt for cmd.exe or at the
> >> 'Start > Run' line for Windows would be:
> >> WScript.exe "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs" "dog" "cat"
> >> Note, that I am using WScript.exe with the name of my vbs file as the
> >> first
> >> argument. After that is a space followed by my first argument to go to
> >> the
> >> vbs script and then a second space followed by my final argument. Those
> >> arguments will be retrieved in the WScript.Arguments collection. In the
> >> script, all the arguments will be treated as variant type so you will
> >> want
> >> to convert them to the appropriate data type before sending them to your
> >> Excel macro.
> >>
> >>
> >> Steve Yandl
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:A7FC1773-7EAA-4840-B0CB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
> >> >
> >> > myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
> >> >
> >> > I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter
> >> > is
> >> > specified.
> >> > --
> >> > Trefor
> >>
> >>
> >>

Patrick,

Many thanks for you reply. I would still have to use multiple IF statements
for each count though wouldn’t I?

Also on another note, this script starts a new instance of Excel. Is it
possible for the script to use the existing instance if there is one?

--
Trefor


"Patrick Molloy" wrote:

> use .Arguments.Count to check that you have enough
>
> eg
> dim expected
> expected = 3
> if wscript.arguments.count = expected then
> msgbox "OK"
> else
> msgbox "Missing arg"
> end if
>
> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:CCBE89FF-1C54-4740-9602-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Patrick / Steve,
> >
> > This is my first venture into VBScript and I know this is the start of
> > what
> > will work for me. As it stands the VBScript will error if all the args are
> > not specified. What is the best way to handle this?
> >
> > I tied this and it appears to work, but look a little excessive:
> >
> > If Arg1 <> "" and Arg2 <> "" then
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), CStr(Arg2)
> > Elseif Arg2 <> "" then
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(Arg1), ""
> > Else
> > objXL.run "TestMacro", "" , ""
> > End If
> >
> > --
> > Trefor
> >
> >
> > "Steve Yandl" wrote:
> >
> >> Trefor,
> >>
> >> I've always used a vbScript file as a sort of helper file to do this sort
> >> of
> >> thing.
> >>
> >> For my test, I created a workbook named "C:\Test\TestBk1.xls". In module
> >> 1
> >> I created a subroutine named "TestMacro" that takes two text string
> >> arguments.
> >>
> >> Now I create a text file that I name "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs". The
> >> contents
> >> of this script is shown between the lines below,
> >> ________________________________________
> >> arg1 = WScript.Arguments(0)
> >> arg2 = WScript.Arguments(1)
> >>
> >>
> >> Set objXL = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
> >> objXL.Visible = True
> >> Set objWkbk = objXL.Workbooks.Open("C:\Test\TestBk1.xls")
> >> objXL.run "TestMacro", CStr(arg1), CStr(arg2)
> >> __________________________________________
> >>
> >> Now, the command line that I can use at the prompt for cmd.exe or at the
> >> 'Start > Run' line for Windows would be:
> >> WScript.exe "C:\Test\LaunchSub.vbs" "dog" "cat"
> >> Note, that I am using WScript.exe with the name of my vbs file as the
> >> first
> >> argument. After that is a space followed by my first argument to go to
> >> the
> >> vbs script and then a second space followed by my final argument. Those
> >> arguments will be retrieved in the WScript.Arguments collection. In the
> >> script, all the arguments will be treated as variant type so you will
> >> want
> >> to convert them to the appropriate data type before sending them to your
> >> Excel macro.
> >>
> >>
> >> Steve Yandl
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Trefor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:A7FC1773-7EAA-4840-B0CB-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> > If it possible to read an arg from the command line in VBA?
> >> >
> >> > myworkbook.xls arg1 arg2
> >> >
> >> > I would like to run a certain macro if a certain argument or parameter
> >> > is
> >> > specified.
> >> > --
> >> > Trefor
> >>
> >>
> >>