RESOLVED[Problem with Shell]

[Fonty]

I can't find out why, whenever I try to run Shell instruction, I get run time error 5 saying "Invalid procedure call or argument"

[RobDog888]

Lets see your c0d.

[Fonty]

Sub cmdButton_Click()
 
Shell ("C:\directory\file.xls")
 
End Sub

[RobDog888]

Remove the parenthesis and it should be ok but if you right click on Shell does it bring up the object browser to it?

[Fonty]

In fact, I've tried either with or without parenthesis, and it gives the same error. When I run the user form with the button, nothing appears with right click.

[RobDog888]

No, i mean to right click on the work Shell to see if its linked in the Object Browser. Not at runtime.

[Fonty]

In the object browser I can find it in the Interaction class.

[RobDog888]

Ok, thats good so far. Its in the "VBA.Interaction". Now if you change the path to some other path that has no permissions issues or such just for testing. Try Shell C:\Book1.xls On a new blank workbook. We need to identify where the issue lies. Either in the file or the location.

[Fonty]

Location is working fine, if I write a inexistent file it says it doesn't exist.

[RobDog888]

Did you test it on an actual new blank workbook?

[Static]

are u running this in excel vba???

why not directly open the workbook instead of shell!??

Workbooks.Open

[Fonty]

Yes, in fact i just wrote that line in a new workbook.
I want to use shell because I'm trying to make a userform that allows you to explore the files contained in a directory and opening them, ot all of them are excel workbooks.

[Static]

the use ShellEx API

it will make it easier

[Fonty]

how do I run this instruction?

[Static]

Private Declare Function ShellEx Lib "shell32.dll" Alias _ 
"ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, _ 
ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As Any, _ 
ByVal lpDirectory As Any, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long 
 
 
Private Sub Command1_Click() 
    Dim x 
    x = ShellEx(application.Hwnd , "open", "path of file.ext" , "", "", 1) 
End Sub

[Static]

oops.. forgot the explanation.. this will open the file with the default app...

so xls will open with excel, txt with notepad (or whatever text editor u have as the default)

etc...

[Fonty]

It works just perfect. Any clue of why it didn't work with Shell instruction?
Where or how could I learn to do more advanced things such as using libraries etc...?

[RobDog888]

I am curious why the Shell didnt work. It should be working.

[zaza]

It doesn't work with Shell because Shell only opens executables. Try:

Shell "notepad.exe"

and it'll work.


zaza

[RobDog888]

Son of .... Thats it I'm taking a break from VBF for a while. Time for lunch anyways.