how to open a program through VBA excel userform

[kieranbop]

Currently having error problems with trying to open an MS project form from an excel userform.

Private Sub cmdDash_Click()

Dim x As Variant
Dim path As String
Dim file As String

path = "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft Office"
file = "S:\Information\Design Systems Engineering\CFD Methods\KG\Projects\HPC Blank to forecast.mpp"

x = Shell(path + " " + file, vbNormalFocus)
' figure out why wont open the file

End Sub

Does anyone see any problems with this it keeps prompting me file error on the shell path line

thanks in advance

[Kyle123]

Hi Keiran

Don't you have to specify a program to open the file? i.e Project, your path only goes to the folder it is contained in

[kieranbop]

I assumed that path went to the program I'm using then the file went to the folder and name of the file being used? or am I completely wrong in what I'm thinking?

[kieranbop]

sorry im not completely awake yet

Private Sub cmdDash_Click()

Dim x As Variant
Dim path As String
Dim file As String

path = ("C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft Office\microsoft office project 2007.lnk")
file = ("C:\Users\u544835\Documents\KG\Projects\HPC Booking\hPC Blank to forecast.mpp")


x = Shell(path + " " + file, vbNormalFocus)
' figure out why wont open the file

End Sub

correct what you mentioned I think but now I'm prompted with Invalid procedure/call arguement on the shell line now

[Kyle123]

tell me about it!!

I think it has to be the actual program and not a shortcut?

[kieranbop]

different way approached to get it to work someone at work sent me, thought id post here for others possibly

Option Explicit

Private Type SHELLEXECUTEINFO
   cbSize As Long
   fMask As Long
   hwnd As Long
   lpVerb As String
   lpFile As String
   lpParameters As String
   lpDirectory As String
   nShow As Long
   hInstApp As Long
   lpIDList As Long
   lpClass As String
   hkeyClass As Long
   dwHotKey As Long
   hIcon As Long
   hProcess As Long
End Type

Private Const SEE_MASK_NOCLOSEPROCESS = &H40

Private Declare Function ShellExecuteEX Lib "shell32.dll" _
   Alias "ShellExecuteEx" (SEI As SHELLEXECUTEINFO) As Long

Public Sub VBShellExecute(FPath As String)

   Dim SEI As SHELLEXECUTEINFO
   With SEI
     .cbSize = Len(SEI)
     .fMask = SEE_MASK_NOCLOSEPROCESS
     .hwnd = 0
     .lpVerb = "open"
     .lpFile = FPath
     .lpParameters = vbNullChar
     .lpDirectory = vbNullChar
     .nShow = 0
     .hInstApp = 0
     .lpIDList = 0
   End With
   Call ShellExecuteEX(SEI)

End Sub
Private Sub cmdDash_Click()

Dim file As String

file = ("C:\Users\u544835\Documents\KG\Projects\HPC Booking\hPC Blank to forecast.mpp")
VBShellExecute file


End Sub