Using Drag and Drop Feature in Windows (Excel Example)

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 3.0

SUMMARY

In Windows version 3.1, you can open or embed a document by dragging a file from a directory in File Manager and placing the file on a minimized application, or dragging the file into the window of an active application. This process is known as OLE drag and drop.

File Manager also supports OLE drag and drop printing. You can print this way by dragging a file from its directory listing and dropping the file on the minimized Print Manager icon.

For these features to work, the application being used in conjunction with File Manager must directly support the OLE drag and drop feature.

MORE INFORMATION

For example, to enable Microsoft Excel 3.0 to support OLE drag and drop features, use the dynamic date exchange (DDE) protocol language as follows:

1. Run the Registration Editor (REGEDIT.EXE), which is located in the Windows directory.

2. Select Microsoft Excel Worksheet, and press the ENTER key. You are now in the Modify File Type dialog box.

To Register Excel 3.0 for OLE Drag and Drop Application Use

1. Select the Uses DDE check box.

2. In the File Type box, type:

         Microsoft Excel Worksheet
   

3. Select the Open option button.

4. In the Command box, type:

         [drive][path]\excel.exe
   

5. In the Application box, type:

         Excel
   

6. In the Topic box, type:

         System
   

7. In the DDE Messages box, type:

         [open("%1")]
   

8. (Optional) In the DDE Application Not Running box, type:

         grayed out
   

To Register Excel 3.0 for OLE Drag and Drop Printing

1. Follow steps 1 through 6 listed in the previous procedure.

2. In the DDE Messages box, type:

         [open("%1")][print?()][close()]
   

3. (Optional) In the DDE Application Not Running box, type:

         [open("%1")][print?()][quit()]