Q170719: WD97: Using SendKeys with Dialog Boxes

Article: Q170719
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbmacro kbProgramming kbdtacode kbwordvba
Last Modified: 13-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows 
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SYMPTOMS
========


When you use the SendKeys function after calling a dialog box, your macro does
not run as expected. For example, the following macro does not run correctly:

     Sub SendKeysExample()
        ChDir "C:\My Documents"           ' Change Directory.
        Dialogs(wdDialogFileOpen).Show    ' Show the FileOpen dialog.
        SendKeys "%A" '                   ' Send the ALT+A keystroke.
     End Sub

CAUSE
=====

Visual Basic for Applications processes code one line at a time. The SendKeys
function sends the specified keys to the active application, just as if they
were typed at the keyboard. If Word is not the active application, and if wait
is set to -1, Word will wait for all the keys to be processed before
proceeding.

Whenever a Word dialog box is opened, it becomes the active foreground
application and it is ready to take commands; it also must be terminated (with
OK or Cancel) before the next line can be processed.

WORKAROUND
==========

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty
either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This
article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being
demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft
support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular
procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added
functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have
limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified
Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more
information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following
Microsoft Web site:

  http://www.microsoft.com/partner/referral/

For more information about the support options that are available and about how
to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

In the example, the SendKeys command should come before the Dialogs command so
that the FileOpen dialog box can process the keys and display the Advanced
search dialog box. Then the next line of code can be processed.

     Sub SendKeysExample()
        ChDir "C:\My Documents"           ' Change Directory.
        SendKeys "%A"                     ' Send the ALT+A keystroke.
        Dialogs(wdDialogFileOpen).Show    ' Show the FileOpen dialog.
     End Sub

MORE INFORMATION
================

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  Q165078 WD97: Some Open Shortcuts Changed

For more information about SendKeys, from the Visual Basic for Applications
Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "SendKeys," click Search, and then
click to view "SendKeys Statement."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the
Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please
see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  Q120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Additional query words: offcon wordcon vba vb vbe execute

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbmacro kbProgramming kbdtacode kbwordvba 
Technology        : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Issue type        : kbprb

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