WD97: Using SendKeys with Dialog Boxes in Word for Windows

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

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 examples of Visual Basic for Applications procedures 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. The Visual Basic procedures in this article are provided 'as is' and Microsoft does not guarantee that they can be used in all situations. While Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular macro, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality, nor will they help you construct macros to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to consult one of the Microsoft Solution Providers. Solution Providers offer a wide range of fee-based services, including creating custom macros. For more information about Microsoft Solution Providers, call Microsoft Customer Information Service at (800) 426-9400.

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 more information about SendKeys, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE ID: Q165078
   TITLE: WD97: Some Open Shortcuts Changed

   ARTICLE ID: Q163575
   TITLE: WD97: Macro to Set "Float Over Text" in Insert Object Dialog Box

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:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120802
   TITLE     : Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office
               Program or Component