how to execute a file type? (Resolved with thanks)

[fgp123]

im createing my own GOOGLE EARTH KML files. These KML files are created by useing notepad then saveing as a KML extention.

When you double click on a KML file, it auto starts Google Earth and zooms to the co ords etc in the file.

I have created my own KML files which work fine, i just have to double click them to execute them. How would i do this effect in vb.

I want to execute the file, the same way as double cliking on it would.

Many thanks in advance.

[I_Love_My_Vans]

Im pretty sure you need to change the default application for that program, you can do this manually but that isnt what you want.

Will look on vbCode.com...

[I_Love_My_Vans]

Im back, try this one http://www.vbcode.com/Asp/showsn.asp?theID=10021

[randem]

fgp123,

Just shell to it. There are plenty of examples in the forum.

[Keithuk]

The easiest way to execute a file type is the ShellExecute API. That will open any file type that is registered in Windows.

e.g. txt - NotePad, wri - WordPad, doc - Winword, bmp - Paint etc.

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_SHOW = 5
 
Private Sub Command1_Click()
 
ShellExecute Me.hwnd, "open", "c:\yourlocation\yourfile", vbNullString, vbNullString, SW_SHOW
 
End Sub

[fgp123]

The easiest way to execute a file type is the ShellExecute API. That will open any file type that is registered in Windows.

e.g. txt - NotePad, wri - WordPad, doc - Winword, bmp - Paint etc.

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_SHOW = 5
 
Private Sub Command1_Click()
 
 
ShellExecute Me.hwnd, "open", "c:\yourlocation\yourfile", vbNullString, vbNullString, SW_SHOW
 
End Sub

I get an error saying invalid use of the .Me command on that last line.

[randem]

fgp123,

The function has to be in a form or you can replace the Me.hwnd with 0 if running in a module.

[fgp123]

Perfect thank you, i had it in a module.

[Keithuk]

If you look at my code you will see that the ShellExecute call is made from a Command button, which should be on a Form. Me.hwnd returns the handle of the Form.