Inter-program communication using SendKeys

[Tim Coddington]

Trying to figure out how to manipulate an instance of explorer from VBA.
Tried the following, but get a

"Run-time error '5':
Invalid proceedure call or argument"

on the AppActivate line.


Sub TryIt()
Dim ieAlphaTrade, ieAmeritrade As Double

ieAlphaTrade = Shell("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe",
vbNormalFocus)
AppActivate ieAlphaTrade, True
End Sub

Tried a DoEvents before the AppActivate, and that seemed to help a little,
but the error came back.

Any hints?

Thanks in advance,
-Tim

 

[jaf]

Hi Tim,
IE takes time to open and load the page. Shell just dumps to the command prompt so you need to find a way to wait for IE fully open before sending sendkey commands.

A better method is to control IE from within your VBA code.
There is some info here that should get you started.
http://www.google.com/groups?hl=en&...internet+explorer+group%3A*excel*&btnG=Search

 

[kkknie]

In case you still want to use the sendkeys functions (I agree tha
controlling IE from excell is better), here's how I avoided the error:

Sub TryIt()
Dim ieAlphaTrade, ieAmeritrade As Double

ieAlphaTrade = Shell("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
vbNormalFocus)
On Error Resume Next
Do
Err.Clear
AppActivate ieAlphaTrade, True
Loop Until Err.Number = 0
End Sub

 

[Tim Coddington]

You guys are GREAT. Thanks! This will get me started.