[NOTE] Using WinRT API from VBA

[Dan_W]

I set out below my research re: WinRT APIs. These are separate to the Win32 API set and allow access to greater windows functionality.

I first came across them from the PowerToys Image2Text OCR tool, which was then implemented by the AHK community here: Easy OCR - AutoHotkey Community

From the code, it appears that they use a few Win32 APIs, namely RoGetActivationFactory

The information gathered thus far was written in a VB6 context, and I have yet to work out how to implement it in VBA. I though that this thread could be a good way of exploring the topic:

First, from VBForums, Diletantte raises the topic here: Registration-free WinRT-VBForums

And this ostensibly has a solution? Problems getting a window capture with Bitblt and PrintWindow.-VBForums

 

[Dan_W]

Fafalone confirmed the above, and helpfully set out the following invocation function on the (excellent) TwinBasic Discord server:

Private Function GetActivateInstance(ByVal ClassName As String, _
                                     ByVal iid As String, _
                                     ByRef pInstance As Long) As Boolean
    Dim bolRet As Boolean
    bolRet = False
    Dim hString As Long
    If WindowsCreateString(StrPtr(ClassName), Len(ClassName), hString) = S_OK Then
        If hString <> 0& Then
            Dim pIInspectable As Long
            If RoActivateInstance(hString, pIInspectable) = S_OK Then
                If pIInspectable <> 0& Then
                    If Invoke(pIInspectable, IUnknown_QueryInterface, _
                              VarPtr(Str2Guid(iid)), VarPtr(pInstance)) = S_OK Then
                        If pInstance <> 0& Then bolRet = True
                    End If
                    Call Release(pIInspectable)
                End If
            End If
            Call WindowsDeleteString(hString)
        End If
    End If
    GetActivateInstance = bolRet
End Function

 

[Dan_W]

Fafalone directed me to a number of projects written by Franky over at ActiveVB.de - the relevant projects are prefaced with VBC_UWP.

Up- und Downloadbereich - ActiveVB

Diese Seite geh÷rt zum Uploadbereich von ActiveVB.de .

www.activevb.de

I haven't had a chance to go through it all, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around COM interfaces, but I thought some of the more experienced and advanced members of the forums might have some insight/thoughts on the above.

 

[Dan_W]

Mods - you should've just deleted the thread. Thank you.