Open/Run Another Application/File Using VBA

[animas]

I need to open/launch
-applications like Outlook, IE
-files like .bat, .xls,
-folders (with windows explorer)

using VBA.

How to code this?

 

[RoryA]

You can use Shell:

Shell "Notepad.exe", vbnormalfocus

for example.

 

[animas]

Shell "Outlook.exe", vbNormalFocus

worked.

Shell "emule.exe", vbNormalFocus

didn't work.

is shell command for microsoft's programs only?

 

[RoryA]

No, but you need to specify the full path if the path is not included in your system's PATH environment variable. Generally it's safer to include the full path anyway.

 

[animas]

now i need to take the program names from range B2:B100 of Sheet1. the list will increase or decrease within the range.

Prevoius code

Sub OpenApplications()

    Shell "Notepad.exe", vbNormalFocus    
    Shell "Outlook.exe", vbNormalFocus    
    Shell "D:\Program Files\eMule\emule.exe", vbNormalFocus

End Sub

what should be the new code?

Sample Data

<table style="padding-right: 2pt; padding-left: 2pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,Arial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <colgroup> <col style="font-weight: bold; width: 30px;"> <col style="width: 64px;"> <col style="width: 234px;"></colgroup> <tbody> <tr style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;"> <td>
</td> <td>A</td> <td>B</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">1</td> <td>
</td> <td style="font-weight: bold; background-color: rgb(192, 192, 192);">Programs</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">2</td> <td>
</td> <td>Notepad.exe</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">3</td> <td>
</td> <td>Outlook.exe</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">4</td> <td>
</td> <td>D:\Program Files\eMule\emule.exe</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">5</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">6</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">7</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">8</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">9</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">10</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">11</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr> <tr style="height: 18px;"> <td style="font-size: 8pt; background-color: rgb(202, 202, 202); text-align: center;">12</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[munkee]

When would you like to run the code? on workbook or sheet open?or from a button?

 

[animas]

from a button.

 

[Norie]

Why do you need to do this?

 

[wigi]

Hi

If you select a non-empty cell in column B, and add this code to a button, it can work:

Sub OpenApplication()
    Shell ActiveCell.Text, vbNormalFocus
End Sub

But I agree with Norie...

Wigi

 

[animas]

i was expecting some loop codes that will loop through the list in range B2:B100 and open all those programs in list. a checking if the programs are already open will be great.

every day i need to open many progams, folders and files at office start. so do my collegues. i could easily use the existing backend code. but my colleagues can't. for their ease of use i need to put the list in excel column.