WD: Using SendKeys with Dialog Boxes in WordBasic

ID: Q52159

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1

SYMPTOMS

When you use the SendKeys function after calling a dialog box, your macro does not run as expected. For example, the following macro does not run correctly:

   Sub MAIN
      ChDir "C:\winword"           ' Change Directory
      FileOpen "test.doc"          ' File Open dialog box.
      SendKeys "{Enter}", -1       ' Send the Enter key.
   End Sub

CAUSE

WordBasic code is processed one line at a time. The SendKeys function sends the specified keys to the active application, just as if they were typed at the keyboard. If Word is not the active program and Wait is set to -1, Word will wait for all the keys to be processed before proceeding.

Whenever a Word dialog box is opened, it becomes the active foreground application and is ready to take commands; it also must be terminated (with OK or Cancel) before the next line can be processed.

WORKAROUND

In the example, the SendKey "{Enter}" command should come before the FileOpen command so that the File dialog box can process the keys and close. Then, the next line of code can be processed.

   Sub MAIN
      ChDir "C:\winword"
      SendKeys "{Enter}", -1       ' Send the Enter Key.
      FileOpen "test.doc"          ' File Open Dialog box.
   End Sub

Additional query words: window

Keywords          : kbmacro wordnt winword ntword macword word6 winword2 word7 word95 
Version           : WINDOWS:1.0,1.1,1.1a,2.0,2.0a,2.0a- CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a
Platform          : MACINTOSH Win95 WINDOWS winnt
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 3, 1998