16 replies to this topic

[NeilIV]

Have you tried using the client.execute code?

I have used it for Adobe stuff before, a sample would be:

#A = CLIENT.EXECUTE('Acrord32.exe','','','SW_SHOWMINNOACTIVE')

The PROiv properties pdf has some additional information on using this code that is, believe it or not, pretty helpful.

[DARREN]

Thsi should do it...you may have to modiy the value for the New command to create a graph instead of standard spreadsheet (can't remember the number)

//
// launch excel and open up the spreadsheet
//
$APP = 'EXCEL'
$TOPICS = ''
#STATUS = DDE_REQUEST($APP,'System','TOPICS',$TOPICS)
IF $TOPICS = '' THEN
#STATUS = CLIENT.Execute("excel.exe","","","SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED")
//
// check that excel has started, if not, wait a second and then try again (up to 10 times)
//
FOR #COUNTER = 1 TO 10
#STATUS = DDE_REQUEST($APP,'SYSTEM','TOPICS',$TOPICS)
IF $TOPICS = '' THEN
#SLEEP_TIME = CTIME(@TIME)
#SECONDS = CTIME('000001')
#SLEEP_TIME += #SECONDS
$SLEEP_TIME = CTIME(#SLEEP_TIME)
#SLEEP_DATE = @DATE
SLEEP($SLEEP_TIME,#SLEEP_DATE)
ELSE
#COUNTER = 10
ENDIF
ENDFOR
IF $TOPICS = '' THEN
UMSG('Could not start Excel',-1)
CALLEXIT()
ELSE
$CURRENT_TOPICS = ''
CALL 1
ENDIF
ELSE
//
$COMMAND = '[NEW(1,0,0)]'
#STAT = DDE_EXECUTE($APP,'SYSTEM',$COMMAND)
$CURRENT_TOPICS = $TOPICS
#STATUS = DDE_REQUEST($APP,'System','TOPICS',$TOPICS)
//
CALL 1
ENDIF
//
:1
$APP = 'EXCEL'
#LEN = LEN($TOPICS)
#START = 1
WHILE $LOOP_EXIT = ''
#END = INDEX($TOPICS(#START,#LEN),CHAR(9))
IF #END = 0 THEN
$TOPIC = $TOPICS(#START,#LEN)
IF INDEX($CURRENT_TOPICS,$TOPIC) ELSE
$LOOP_EXIT = 'Y'
ENDIF
ELSE
$TOPIC = $TOPICS(#START,#START + #END - 2)
IF INDEX($CURRENT_TOPICS,$TOPIC) THEN
#START += #END
IF #START >= #LEN
$LOOP_EXIT = 'Y'
ENDIF
ELSE
$LOOP_EXIT = 'Y'
ENDIF
ENDIF
ENDWHILE
IF $TOPIC = '' THEN
UMSG('Could Not Find Topic',-1)
CALLEXIT()
ELSE
......do the dde send stuff
ENDIF

[DARREN]

Forgot to add that SLEEP is a global logic that is included in the standard PROIV demo functions

//
PARMS($SLEEP_TIME,#SLEEP_DATE)
//
$SLEEP_TIME = TRIM($SLEEP_TIME,':','A')
$SLEEP_TIME = $SLEEP_TIME + '000000'
$SLEEP_TIME = $SLEEP_TIME(1,6)
// #SLEEP_TIME = CTIME($SLEEP_TIME)
// $SLEEP_TIME = CTIME(#SLEEP_TIME)
//
IF #SLEEP_DATE = 0 THEN
#SLEEP_DATE = @DATE
ENDIF
//
IF #SLEEP_DATE < @DATE ELSE
IF CONV($SLEEP_TIME) < CONV(@TIME) AND #SLEEP_DATE = @DATE THEN
#SLEEP_DATE += 1
ENDIF
//
WHILE #SLEEP_DATE # @DATE
$SLEEP = 'Y'
ENDWHILE
//
WHILE CONV($SLEEP_TIME) > CONV(@TIME)
$SLEEP = 'Y'
ENDWHILE
ENDIF

[Rob Donovan]

Hi,

I would be carefull using that SLEEP Global Logic, it uses up 100% of a CPU since its stuck in a WHILE loop.

This would kill a system if there were lots of users executing it....

Putting in a UMSG("",1) would be better, as this makes the CPU sleep correctly so that it does not take up CPU cycles.

Rob D.

[Vol Yip]

All,

I am afraid darkstart did mention he is using 4.6 so he can't use CLIENT command.

My experience #STAT = SYSTEM('GUI WINDOW ASYNC EXCLE') should start Excel and the subsequent DDE_POKE should do the job beautifully. I never come across CONV_NOT_ESTABLISHED before though.

Regards,

Vol

[andykay]

Any way to auto resize the cells through DDE?

Try:

* Select the first 100 columns
$CMD = '[SELECT("C1:C100")]'
#S = DDE_EXECUTE('EXCEL','SYSTEM',$CMD)

* Set the size for the column to the max cell size for the column
$V = '[COLUMN.WIDTH(,,,3,1)]'
#S = DDE_EXECUTE('EXCEL','SYSTEM',$V)


HTH,

AK

[andykay]

Just in case anyone is wondering, I've already used the

#STAT = SYSTEM('GUI ASYNC START PROGRAM')

command with the same results

Darkstar,

There would appear to be many different ways to call Excel from ProIV. We use a variation of your SYSTEM call that has not given us any problems, to date.

Darren touched on an important point, in his attached code, that I have not heard you mention anything about. That is, are you giving Excel enough time to fully open before trying to converse with it. You mentioned that once Excel has opened, all your POKES work without error. Perhaps the reason you're getting a DMLERR_NO_CONV_ESTABLISHED error is that you are trying to issue commands to Excel before it's ready to accept any commands.

We've used the following code for years without any problems:

* Start Excel
#S = SYSTEM('GUI /C START EXCEL')

* Pause to make sure Excel fully launches on slow/old computers
UMSG('Starting Excel',3)

HTWorks,

AK