Open a non xls file (emulate the double-click from Windows Explore

Hello,
From within my Excel VBA I want to run another file (which will in-turn
start the associated application) when certain conditions exist.
The Shell statement works on the EXE. I need something similar in concept
to work on the actual data file (".anx" and others).
It would be the equivalent of double-clicking on a data file in Windows
Explorer.
Many Thanks for your help.
--
Programmer on Budget

Or use

ActiveWorkbook.FollowHyperlink "C:\Test.pdf"



--
Regards Ron de Bruin
http://www.rondebruin.nl



"Leith Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Hello Budget,
>
> You need to use the ShellExecute API call. Copy this code and paste it
> into a VBA code module in your project. This will launch any registered
> file type's associated application.
>
>
> Code:
> --------------------
>
> Public Const ShowNormal As Long = 1
> Public Const ShowMinimized As Long = 2
>
> Public Declare Function ShellExecute _
> Lib "shell32.dll" _
> Alias "ShellExecuteA" ( _
> ByVal hwnd As Long, _
> ByVal lpOperation As String, _
> ByVal lpFile As String, _
> ByVal lpParameters As String, _
> ByVal lpDirectory As String, _
> ByVal nShowCmd As Long) _
> As Long
>
> Public Sub OpenProgram(File_To_Open As String, Show_How As Long)
> Dim RetVal
>
> RetVal = ShellExecute(0&, "open", File_To_Open, vbNullString, vbNullString, Show_How)
>
> End Sub
>
> --------------------
>
>
> Example:
> OpenProgram "C:\MyFile.avi", ShowMinimized
>
> Sincerely,
> Leith Ross
>
>
> --
> Leith Ross
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Leith Ross's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=18465
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=563916
>

> RetVal = ShellExecute(0&, "open", File_To_Open, vbNullString,
> vbNullString, Show_How)

The "open" program isn't available on all operating systems, XP
for example. I think it is a Win 9x command.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com




"Leith Ross"
<[email protected]> wrote
in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Hello Budget,
>
> You need to use the ShellExecute API call. Copy this code and
> paste it
> into a VBA code module in your project. This will launch any
> registered
> file type's associated application.
>
>
> Code:
> --------------------
>
> Public Const ShowNormal As Long = 1
> Public Const ShowMinimized As Long = 2
>
> Public Declare Function ShellExecute _
> Lib "shell32.dll" _
> Alias "ShellExecuteA" ( _
> ByVal hwnd As Long, _
> ByVal lpOperation As String, _
> ByVal lpFile As String, _
> ByVal lpParameters As String, _
> ByVal lpDirectory As String, _
> ByVal nShowCmd As Long) _
> As Long
>
> Public Sub OpenProgram(File_To_Open As String, Show_How As
> Long)
> Dim RetVal
>
> RetVal = ShellExecute(0&, "open", File_To_Open, vbNullString,
> vbNullString, Show_How)
>
> End Sub
>
> --------------------
>
>
> Example:
> OpenProgram "C:\MyFile.avi", ShowMinimized
>
> Sincerely,
> Leith Ross
>
>
> --
> Leith Ross
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Leith Ross's Profile:
> http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=18465
> View this thread:
> http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=563916
>

I am running Windows XP Home Edition and the macro works fine.

Sincerely,
Leith Ross

> The "open" program isn't available on all operating systems,

I didn't know that but I use vbNullString in lieu of "open".

Regards,
Peter T

"Chip Pearson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> > RetVal = ShellExecute(0&, "open", File_To_Open, vbNullString,
> > vbNullString, Show_How)
>
> The "open" program isn't available on all operating systems, XP
> for example. I think it is a Win 9x command.
>
>
> --
> Cordially,
> Chip Pearson
> Microsoft MVP - Excel
> Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
> www.cpearson.com
>
>
>
>
> "Leith Ross"
> <[email protected]> wrote
> in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > Hello Budget,
> >
> > You need to use the ShellExecute API call. Copy this code and
> > paste it
> > into a VBA code module in your project. This will launch any
> > registered
> > file type's associated application.
> >
> >
> > Code:
> > --------------------
> >
> > Public Const ShowNormal As Long = 1
> > Public Const ShowMinimized As Long = 2
> >
> > Public Declare Function ShellExecute _
> > Lib "shell32.dll" _
> > Alias "ShellExecuteA" ( _
> > ByVal hwnd As Long, _
> > ByVal lpOperation As String, _
> > ByVal lpFile As String, _
> > ByVal lpParameters As String, _
> > ByVal lpDirectory As String, _
> > ByVal nShowCmd As Long) _
> > As Long
> >
> > Public Sub OpenProgram(File_To_Open As String, Show_How As
> > Long)
> > Dim RetVal
> >
> > RetVal = ShellExecute(0&, "open", File_To_Open, vbNullString,
> > vbNullString, Show_How)
> >
> > End Sub
> >
> > --------------------
> >
> >
> > Example:
> > OpenProgram "C:\MyFile.avi", ShowMinimized
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Leith Ross
> >
> >
> > --
> > Leith Ross
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Leith Ross's Profile:
> > http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=18465
> > View this thread:
> > http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=563916
> >
>
>

Using vbNullString for the lpOperation parameter will invoke the default verb for the file. The default in most instances is open.

Sincerely,
Leith Ross

Double clicking a file in explorer invokes the default action, so I suppose
strictly speaking what the OP asked for.

My default for text files is to open in my preferred text editor, though I
still have an "open" setting to open in Notepad (gives me both options if I
right click a file).

IOW if I send "open" and a textfile to the API it opens in Notepad, but
vbNullString opens in my preferred editor.

Subject to "open" always available (you & Chip seem to be in slight
disagreement, I don't know), on balance wouldn't the default be the safer
choice.

Regards,
Peter T

"Leith Ross" <[email protected]> wrote
in message news:[email protected]...
>
> Using vbNullString for the lpOperation parameter will invoke the default
> verb for the file. The default in most instances is open.
>
> Sincerely,
> Leith Ross
>
>
> --
> Leith Ross
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Leith Ross's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=18465
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=563916
>

Peter,

The reason "open" launches NotePad is this is the registered "open' verb in the registry. When you use the default, the system again looks to the registry, but in a different place if no verb is given, to select the user's preferred program, if one exists for file type specified. In the end, it really is just a matter of personal choice.

Sincerely,
Leith Ross

Fair point :-)

Regards,
Peter T

"Leith Ross" <[email protected]> wrote
in message news:[email protected]...
>
> Peter,
>
> The reason "open" launches NotePad is this is the registered "open'
> verb in the registry. When you use the default, the system again looks
> to the registry, but in a different place if no verb is given, to
> select the user's preferred program, if one exists for file type
> specified. In the end, it really is just a matter of personal choice.
>
> Sincerely,
> Leith Ross
>
>
> --
> Leith Ross
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Leith Ross's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=18465
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=563916
>

Hello,
The ActiveWorkbook.FollowHyperlink worked perfectly. Thanks.
--
Programmer on Budget


"Ron de Bruin" wrote:

> Or use
>
> ActiveWorkbook.FollowHyperlink "C:\Test.pdf"
>
>
>
> --
> Regards Ron de Bruin
> http://www.rondebruin.nl
>
>
>
> "Leith Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > Hello Budget,
> >
> > You need to use the ShellExecute API call. Copy this code and paste it
> > into a VBA code module in your project. This will launch any registered
> > file type's associated application.
> >
> >
> > Code:
> > --------------------
> >
> > Public Const ShowNormal As Long = 1
> > Public Const ShowMinimized As Long = 2
> >
> > Public Declare Function ShellExecute _
> > Lib "shell32.dll" _
> > Alias "ShellExecuteA" ( _
> > ByVal hwnd As Long, _
> > ByVal lpOperation As String, _
> > ByVal lpFile As String, _
> > ByVal lpParameters As String, _
> > ByVal lpDirectory As String, _
> > ByVal nShowCmd As Long) _
> > As Long
> >
> > Public Sub OpenProgram(File_To_Open As String, Show_How As Long)
> > Dim RetVal
> >
> > RetVal = ShellExecute(0&, "open", File_To_Open, vbNullString, vbNullString, Show_How)
> >
> > End Sub
> >
> > --------------------
> >
> >
> > Example:
> > OpenProgram "C:\MyFile.avi", ShowMinimized
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Leith Ross
> >
> >
> > --
> > Leith Ross
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Leith Ross's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=18465
> > View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=563916
> >
>
>
>