Shell for opening .xls or .txt 1

[Tommyhat]

I need to open an excel file before i read from it or i'll get an error so i figured i'd just work that into the code.

Dim var As Variant
var = Shell("C:\rip.xls", vbMaximizedFocus)

But with everything but .exe files, it gives an invalid argument error, is there some way i can run an excel file like this?

 

[Tommyhat]

UPDATE!

I can open excel files like this:

Dim var As Variant
Dim filename As String
filename = "C:\Documents and Settings\tgirard\Desktop\Andrew\testing data\yarr.xls"
var = Shell("C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\EXCEL.exe " & filename, vbMaximizedFocus)

BUT the spaces in "documents and settings" make it search for C:\Documents.xls, and.xls, Settings\tgirard\Desktop\Andrew\testing.xls and data\yarr.xls instead of the full file path.

 

[Swi]

You could just use ShellExecute:

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

Private Sub Command1_Click()
Dim res As Long
Dim filename As String
filename = "C:\Old Drive\Test.xls"
res = ShellExecute(hWnd, vbNullString, filename, vbNullString, vbNullString, vbNormalFocus)
If res = 31 Then
MsgBox "This file is not associated with a program!", vbCritical, "File Association Error"
Exit Sub
End If
End Sub

Swi

 

[Tommyhat]

Thanks dood!
Do i have to include any references or declairations for this?

 

[Swi]

Nope. It will open you text files are well. ShellExecute opens the file with its default program thus the error checking if the file is not associated with a program.

Swi