ShellExecute: Opening URLs (not easy)

[NGE]

Hello, I use this code to open URLs in the default browser:

ShellExecute 0, "open", URL, "", "", 1

The problem is that he URL is being opened in the current browser window. Instead it should start a new browser, like if target was "_blank"

So my question: How can I pass the target frame when opening a URL?

Thanks,

NGE

[dark.journey]

I have no idea with shellexecute, but you can pass the target frame using the webbrowser control

(WebBrowser.Navigate Url as String, [flags],[targetframename],[postdata],[headers])

[NGE]

Phew, I don't want to blow up my code by using that control..

Is there probably a way to pass DDE commands to a program?

[Pirate]

there are many parameters in this link , maybe one can solve your problem?

http://www.allapi.net/apilist/ShellExecute.shtml

[NGE]

Well there are things I just don't know and that's why I'm posting here I don't know if there's a special syntax to pass the frame name to the browser. I hoped somebody knew it...

[Shawn N]

Tried command line switches?

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q178058

[NGE]

Thanks, the idea was great but it doesn't work, still launches the site in a already opened IE (I also tried to put the URL in "").

[Shawn N]

Option Explicit
 
Private 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
 
Const SW_SHOWNORMAL = 1
 
 
Private Sub Form_Load()
 
Dim lngFile As Long
lngFile = FreeFile
 
'delete the file if it's alive
If Len(Dir("C:\temp.url")) Then Kill "C:\temp.url"
 
Open "C:\temp.url" For Append As lngFile
    Print #lngFile, "[Default]"
    Print #lngFile, "BASEURL=http://vbforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=221262"
    Print #lngFile, ""
    Print #lngFile, "[InternetShortcut]"
    Print #lngFile, "URL=http://vbforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=221262"
Close lngFile
 
    
ShellExecute Me.hwnd, vbNullString, "C:\temp.url", vbNullString, "C:\", SW_SHOWNORMAL
 
Kill "C:\temp.url"
    
End Sub

[NGE]

Thanks, this gives me a new idea how to solve the problem! (for your interest: the code you gave me still opens the site in a existing window - but now I can search for parameters)

[Shawn N]

On my work computer, this actually solved your problem. Now that I try it at home on XP it doesn't.

Mind letting me know how you solve the problem when you do?

[NGE]

Well I already solved one special case of the problem - the one I need actually. The following code opens a new window first and then the URL in it:

Public Sub OpenURL(iURL As String)
    'Open URL in new window
    ShellExecute 0, "open", "about[b][/b]:[b][/b]blank", "", "", 1
    ShellExecute 0, "open", iURL, "", "", 1
End Sub

That's not a target frame but at least _blank

[Shawn N]

Works. Cool.

[NGE]

Not perfectly, as I said before.. Put the code into a button and click it 3 times.. the first window will open in a new explorer, the other 2 calls will open a new window but open the URL in window #1...

[Shawn N]

Only other thing I can think of is using DDE.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;160957

[NGE]

Yes, that's exactly what I need. But I don't know how to use DDE in VB.. and searching MSDN wasn't that successful...

[Shawn N]

This works for me. I used late-binding so it won't bloat your application.

Option Explicit
 
Private Sub Form_Load()
 
    Dim objIE As Object
    Set objIE = CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application")
    
    objIE.Navigate2 "http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1308704#post1308704"
    objIE.Visible = True
    
    Set objIE = Nothing
 
End Sub

[NGE]

Very nice, a thousand thanks!

[Shawn N]