XL: How to Print a PowerPoint Presentation Using an Excel Macro

ID: Q155066

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

This article describes two different methods for printing a PowerPoint presentation file using a Microsoft Excel macro. The two methods differ in the way they handle the possible occurrence of OLE Automation Error 440, an error that occurs when an OLE Automation server times out or is not ready to accept a particular command.


MORE INFORMATION

The "quick fix" (Example 1) incorporates a small DoEvents loop which allows the server application to catch up. The length of the loop varies on a system by system basis, and depends upon the load currently on your machine as well. An alternative solution is to trap the error (Example 2). Once no error is returned, the program continues. This only happens when the .Print method is successful.

Example 1: Using a For/Next loop


Sub ppttest2()
    Dim pptApp As Object
    Dim waitForIt As Integer

    Set pptApp = CreateObject("PowerPoint.Application")
    pptApp.Visible = True
    With pptApp.Presentations.Open("D:\MYPPTFILE.PPT ")
        For waitForIt = 0 To 1000
            DoEvents
        Next
        With .PrintOptions
            .Print
        End With
    End With
    pptApp.Quit
End Sub

Example 2: Using error trapping


Sub ppttest2()
    On Error Resume Next
    Dim pptApp As Object

    Set pptApp = CreateObject("PowerPoint.Application")
    pptApp.Visible = True
    With pptApp.Presentations.Open("D:\MYPPTFILE.PPT")
        With .PrintOptions
            Do
                Err = 0
                DoEvents
                .Print
            Loop Until Err = 0
        End With
    End With
    pptApp.Quit
End Sub
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 professionals 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.

Additional query words: VB VBA OLE automation 


Keywords          : 
Version           : 7.00
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: June 4, 1999