WD: Using AppActivate to Switch to Another Application

ID: Q193202

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
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

SUMMARY

This article contains a sample macro that switches the focus from Microsoft Word to another program. When it is finished, the macro returns the focus to Word. The individual user can determine what the macro does while switching between programs.

The AppActivate statement activates the specified window in a program other than Microsoft Word. Use AppActivate to switch to another program that is already running or that you have started by using Shell. To activate a window within Microsoft Word, use the Activate command.

NOTE: If the other program is minimized, the AppActivate command will not maximize that program; it simply gives that program the focus and then returns the focus to Word.

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 following is the text of the macro:

   Sub Main
      ActiveWin$ = WindowName$()    'get the title of the current window
      AppActivate "Microsoft Excel", 1
      Activate ActiveWin$
   End Sub

The WordBasic AppActivate syntax is as follows:

   AppActivate WindowText$ [,Immediate]

NOTE: Many applications append the name of the working file to the application name used in the window title bar. For example, the Windows Cardfile application might have window names such as:

   Cardfile - (untitled)
   Cardfile - PHONE.CRD

In this case the following AppActivate command should include the complete window text string:

   AppActivate "Cardfile - PHONE.CRD", 1

Microsoft Excel includes the working file name in the windows title bar when the spreadsheet window is maximized.

There are other methods to return the focus to Word for Windows. The main advantage of this method is its simplicity. When the macro returns the focus, Word for Windows will be in the exact state that it was left in prior to running the macro.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word for Windows Technical Reference," page 29

"Microsoft Word for Windows and OS/2 Technical Reference," pages 128-129

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode winword macword word6 word7 word95 
Version           : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; 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
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999