Excel Automation

[Arshavir Grigorian]

Hi,

I am wondering if there is a way to develop a batch process that could
open a series of spreadsheets (optional really cause no one needs to
look at them), execute a certain macro (or several) in each one, then
print a certain sheet (or several) from each spreadsheet.

Thanks.

 

[Jim Rech]

I am wondering if there is a way to develop a batch process that

That's what automation is about. You might search on "excel automation".
I'm sure you'll get hits.

 

[ilia]

The batch process as you call it is itself a macro. You will need to
define rules of which workbooks are to be opened, which information is
to be pulled from them (I'm guessing this is the "certain macro"
you're referring to), and which sheets from them will need to be
printed. Once you have those figured out, you can translate these
rules into VBA code that will automate the process.

 

[Arshavir Grigorian]

The batch process as you call it is itself a macro.  You will need to
define rules of which workbooks are to be opened, which information is
to be pulled from them (I'm guessing this is the "certain macro"
you're referring to), and which sheets from them will need to be
printed.  Once you have those figured out, you can translate these
rules into VBA code that will automate the process.

Thanks. But this would still require some human intervention to open
Excel and run the macro. Ideally, I am looking to develop a process
that can be run at certain date/time as a scheduled task.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Windows Task Scheduler to open Excel and run the workbook_open event code?


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Arshavir Grigorian]

What if someone wants to open the spreadsheet for viewing without
running the VB code?

 

[Gord Dibben]

Open in safe mode or hold SHIFT key while opening.

Or............

Set security to medium and disable macros when asked.


Gord

 

[Arshavir Grigorian]

Well, that means I need to force all users to do something extra just
to open a spreadsheet. And if someone doesn't remember to do so, then
they will be executing things without knowing about it. Not very
intuitive. It would work much better, if the functionality were there
and a user could use it if s/he chose to (vs the other way around). By
the same token, I (as the developer) should be able to create a
process and explicitely execute a macro and maybe even specify an
input parameter to the macro code (e.g. if my spreadsheet queries a
database and I need to specify a parameter in the WHERE clause).

Can that be done?

 

[Gord Dibben]

I thought your original problem was how to open Excel and run a macro.

I made a suggestion to use Windows Task Scheduler.

Now you are wondering how users can open that workbook without macros enabled.

I would now suggest you purchase a digital certificate and sign your workbook.


Gord

 

[Arshavir Grigorian]

My objective is to ultimately develop a flexible application. And the
two scenarios are not mutually exclusive - running the code in a batch
process AND opening the spreadsheet manually to make changes or learn
how it works or simply to view the data electronically or whatever
else.

To be sure, I am not worried about users intentionally altering/
breaking the code, but rather executing code without knowing about it
which is what workbook_open event would do every time someone opens
the file. So I don't think digitally signing the workbook is relevant.

 

[Diver Mike]

I think you could create a form to be displayed upon open that would give the
user options to continue execution of the desired code or to open the
workbook for "viewing purposes". If needed you could even add a simple
password to prevent folks who are not supposed to execute the code from doing
so. Just an idea.