Can I run an external program?

[simonclivehughes]

I'd like to be able have a routine that launches a PDF file. The
closest thing I can find it the ActivateMicrosoftApp Method which, of
course doesn't work with the Adobe product files.

Any ideas?

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
have a look at the Shell method

 

[Bob Phillips]

You will have to shell the AcroRd32.exe file, so you will need to get the
full path for that file.

--

HTH

RP
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)

 

[simonclivehughes]

I tried the following:

Sub RunHelpFile()
' Specifying 1 as the second argument opens the application in
' normal size and gives it the focus.
Dim RetVal
RetVal = Shell("C:\Program Files\Coax Designer II\Coax Designer
II.pdf", 1) ' Run program.
End Sub

I get an "Invalid procedure call or argument (Error 5)" error message
however.

 

[simonclivehughes]

I tried the following:

Sub RunHelpFile()
' Specifying 1 as the second argument opens the application in
' normal size and gives it the focus.
Dim RetVal
RetVal = Shell("C:\Program Files\Coax Designer II\Coax Designer
II.pdf", 1) ' Run program.
End Sub

I get an "Invalid procedure call or argument (Error 5)" error message
however.

 

[Dick Kusleika]

Simon

Consider using the FollowHyperlink method. It will open the file according
to your Windows associations. See

http://www.dicks-blog.com/archives/2004/10/14/opening-different-file-types/

 

[simonclivehughes]

Thanks, Dick. I tried the following:

Sub RunHelpFile()
Dim sPath As String
sPath = "C:\Program Files\Coax Designer II\"
ActiveWorkbook.FollowHyperlink sPath & "CoaxDesignerII.pdf"
End Sub

but I get a Variable not defined error with the "CoaxDesignerII" (of
the filename) highlighted.

 

[Guest]

Instead of writing the code like this:
Sub RunHelpFile()
Dim sPath As String
sPath = "C:\Program Files\Coax Designer II\"
ActiveWorkbook.FollowHyperlink sPath & "CoaxDesignerII.pdf"
End Sub

It should have been written like this:
Sub RunHelpFile()
Dim sPath As String
sPath = "C:\Program Files\Coax Designer II\CoaxDesignerII.pdf"
ActiveWorkbook.FollowHyperlink sPath
End Sub

Swisse

 

[Bob Phillips]

Why should it have been written like that?

Bob

 

[Guest]

Because the second one worked for me. I tested it before I posted here, and I
tested it again.

Swisse

 

[Bob Phillips]

My point is that the first works as well, so there is no '... should be ...'

--

HTH

RP
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)

 

[simonclivehughes]

Actually, this version works best for me as I don't have to call the
host app (Acrobat Reader). The reason I'd rather not call this is that
I can't be sure of the version someone is running, nor the actual path
to it. This way, the file runs regardless.

Thanks,

 

[Guest]

The first one did not work for me - the reason for the should be. Try the
first one and report back.

Swisse

 

[simonclivehughes]

This version works best for me as it runs the file itself, so I don't
have to worry about the user having a different version of Acrobat
Reader.