WD97: Window Stays on Screen Using Shell to Start MS-DOS Program

ID: Q196673

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When using Visual Basic for Applications, if you use the Shell command to run an MS-DOS program, the MS-DOS box remains on the screen, and you must manually close the box.

CAUSE

The Close On Exit property is not set for the MS-DOS window.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

Start the MS-DOS Prompt (click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt).

On the toolbar, click Properties.

On the Program tab, click to select the Close On Exit check box, and then click OK.

Method 2

Start the program using the MS-DOS command interpreter, Command.com, with the /C switch. This switch closes the window after the program quits. For example, to run a batch file, use the following command:


   Shell "command.com /c example.bat"

The following example VBA code closes the window after the batch command executes:

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/


   Sub TextShell
      Dim RetVal
      RetVal = Shell ("C:\WINDOWS\command.com /c  example.bat ", 1)
   End Sub

REFERENCES

For help with Command.com switches, start MS-DOS Prompt, type "command /?" (without the quotation marks), and press ENTER.

Additional query words: 8.0 doesn't remains stays open

Keywords : kbdta kbwordvba word97
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb