WD97: Using SendKeys with Dialog Boxes

ID: Q170719

The information in this article applies to:

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 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 the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

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 kbprg kbdtacode kbwordvba
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb