accessing another program from Excel

[jpfullerton]

Hi

How do I access another program from Excel? What I'd like to do is
click on line in Excel with information about a journal and have Excel
automatically go to another program, paste one of the fields from the
line and send a search request. The other program is a Windows XP
program.

The best information that I've found so far is

http://peltiertech.com/Excel/XL_PPT.html

Following these instructions, I can see in Excel a list of functions
that the other program has, however, I don't know of any documentation,
or whether these functions tend to be parallel in other programs.

Another option is for me to try and write a Visual Basic program that
will access both Excel (or another data source--could be a text file or
comma delimited file exported from Excel) and the other program.

Could anyone recommend a source of information, or example code, or any
other recommendations?

I'd appreciate an email copy of any response.

Have a nice day
John Paul Fullerton
(e-mail address removed)

 

[RB Smissaert]

What kind of other program are you thinking of?
It probably is possible with the help of the Windows API.
Sometimes those other programs have their own API that
can accessed by setting a reference to it in the VBE.
If that is the case it can make things much simpler.

RBS

 

[Guest]

Since the link addresses automation and he said he did what is at the link
and he says he can see the objects in the object browser, then I would guess
it supports automation.

To the OP,
if you post the name of the application, then maybe someone can advise you.
If not, then get the automation help file:


http://support.microsoft.com/?id=253338
INFO: Office Developer Samples and Tools Available for Download

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=260410
OFF2000: Microsoft Office 2000 Automation Help File Available

and learn about automation.

 

[RB Smissaert]

You might be right, but why should we be guessing?

RBS

 

[Guest]

I am recommending some sources of information that use specific searchable
language that are probably appropriate for the problem/situation described.

If this turns out not to be the case, I don't see much use for the Windows
API to provide a programmatic interface to the application and the reerences
provided are nonetheless useful.

As to custom API's to allow something similar to automation, beyond DDE, I
can't think of any "big names".

To you, I pointed out the circumstantial evidence provided that seems to
indicate automation is supported since you appeared to ignore that in your
response.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy

 

[RB Smissaert]

The only point I was making is that the question could be put better.

RBS

 

[Guest]

Yes, it is often curious why people seem to want to be mysterious or vague.

"I have a specific application which will remain unnamed . . . " <g>

 

[jpfullerton]

Yes, it is often curious why people seem to want to be mysterious or vague.

"I have a specific application which will remain unnamed . . . " <g>

The other programs are library catalog client programs (not the actual
library catalog program itself), one is used for acquisitions, ordering
and paying for books and journals, the other is used for cataloging,
adding the information for books and journals, like the journal name,
publisher, call number and so on.

The products are from a company called Endeavor and the library catalog
product is called Voyager.

I haven't worked much with Visual Basic since version 3 or Excel much,
and so I'm not sure what the questions are that I should be asking

The following is some additional information if it helps make what I'm
trying to do more evident. My plan now is to check the references
mentioned in an earlier note (thanks!) and I'm checking about sending a
note to customer support for the programs. Does it seem that if a
program has the following classes defined that they are probably
documented for customers?

In Excel from the Visual Basic editor, then click Tools + References, I
cannot uncheck Visual Basic for Applications or Microsoft Excel 10.0
Object Library. In addition to those I'm checking one called
Acquisitions (I think that's the Voyager Acquisitions client).

Then when I go to the Object Browser I see the classes

<globals>
clsAcqInCat
clsClaimedItem
clsCommunication
clsMarkedItem
clsReceiptHist

When I click clsCommunication I see the members list

BroadcastInvoiceLineItemChange
BroadcastLineItemChange
BroadcastVendorChange
LineItemCollection
LineItemID
VendorCode
and so on

My most advanced work with Excel was translating a VB 2.0 project that
worked with an earlier library catalog to a macro in Excel that worked
with the same catalog using DDE. So I'm wondering where do I start the
interaction between Excel and the other programs. I'm sure the
references will help me to get started.

Any recommendations about whether I should try the same from Visual
Basic instead of from Excel?

Have a nice day
John Paul Fullerton
(e-mail address removed)

 

[RB Smissaert]

I would stick with Excel and see if you can make progress by using the API
of that program.
It looks promising.

RBS

 

[Guest]

the Endeavor site has a support site that requires a login and ID. I would
suggest starting there or better, calling their tech support and seeing if
the program supports OLE Automation (similar in function to DDE but a newer
technology). I did see some indication at other sites that they are
interfacing with Voyager, so there must be a provision for this in their
software. Whether they encourage it or not or provide support for it in
terms of documentation, I can't say.

 

[jpfullerton]

Thank you for the notes!

Have a nice day
John Paul Fullerton