XL: Changing the Paper Source Using SendKeys

ID: Q135791

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

It is possible to change the default paper source used by printer drivers in Windows 95 by using the SendKeys command within a Visual Basic for Applications subroutine in Microsoft Excel versions 7.0 and 97.

Note that the information in this article does not pertain to earlier versions of Microsoft Windows, because the dialog box layout in earlier versions of Windows is somewhat different from that used in Windows 95.

MORE INFORMATION

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/
The SendKeys command in Visual Basic for Applications allows you to simulate the pressing of keys while a macro is running. By using the correct combination of keystrokes, you can accomplish many tasks that are not possible through normal macro commands.

For example, if you need a subroutine to display the "About Microsoft Excel" dialog box, you could use the following command: 

   SendKeys "%ha"
In this example, "%h" is equivalent to pressing ALT+H, which activates the Help menu. The "a" is equivalent to selecting the "About Microsoft Excel" menu item.

You can change the paper source used by a Windows 95 printer driver by using commands similar to the following: 

   'Use ONE of the following four lines of code to determine the paper
   'source. If a different letter is required, set the value of xSource
   'accordingly.
   xSource = "a"   'Auto Select
   xSource = "u"   'Upper Tray
   xSource = "m"   'Manual Feed
   xSource = "l"   'Lower Tray

   'This line of code actually changes the paper source.
   SendKeys "%fu%o%s" & xSource & "~~"
In the SendKeys command, the following actions are executed. 

   Action   Equivalent to
   -----------------------------------------------------
   %f       ALT+F. Selects the File menu.
   u        Chooses Page Setup.
   %o       ALT+O. Selects the Options button.
   %s       ALT+S. Selects the Paper Source list box.
   ~~       Presses ENTER twice to accept the changes.
The xSource variable contains a letter that determines what paper source is used. Depending on the value you use (usually "a," "u," "m," or "l"), the SendKeys statement selects the appropriate paper source, and then simulates two presses of the ENTER key to accept the changes.

If you know you will always be switching to a particular paper source, you don't have to use the xSource variable. For example, the following command will always switch to the Manual Feed paper source: 

   SendKeys "%fu%o%sm~~"
For information on using SEND.KEYS with earlier versions of Microsoft Excel, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q69614
   TITLE     : Using SEND.KEYS() to Change Paper Source in Printer Setup
Additional query words: 7.00 8.00 97 xl97 send.keys() application 
Keywords          : kbprg kbprint kbdta kbdtacode KbVBA xlprint 
Version           : WINDOWS:7.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999