Control other applications whitout sendkeys?

Is there a better way then using a shell and sendkeys to control an other application? I was thinking on a PIPE in DOS, but I can't seem to use this on Adobe Reader 8.

I'd like to open a PDF with Adobe Reader and then save it as text. Sendkeys can't do this in the background when you keep on typing in the spreadsheet. The keystrokes then are send to excel and you see some windows flashing.

Thanks.

Yes, but I can't command it to "save as text" and close it again !
I can open it whit a shell and use sendkeys for this, only not in the nackground of other applications