XL: Finding Open Applications That Are DDE Capable

ID: Q102362

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.0a
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, you can find which of your currently open applications are capable of dynamic data exchange (DDE) by using the following macro function:

   =INITIATE("","")

This function displays a DDE dialog box that lists all of the open applications and topics to which Microsoft Excel can open a DDE channel. You can then use other DDE commands such as EXECUTE() and SEND.KEYS() to control the other application.

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/

In Microsoft Excel versions 5.0, 7.0, and 97, you can use the following Visual Basic for Applications procedure to determine which of your open applications are capable of DDE:

   SUB Initiate_DDE ()
      ChanNum = Application.DDEInitiate("", "")
   End Sub

NOTE: Microsoft Excel version 5.0 for the Macintosh requires system software version 7.0 or later for this and other DDE functions to work.

REFERENCES

"Function Reference," version 4.0, page 240

Additional query words: 2.0 2.00 2.01 2.1 2.10 3.0 3.00 4.0 4.00 4.00a 5.0 5.00 7.00 8.00 97

Keywords          : kbinterop kbprg kbdta kbdtacode IntpDde KbVBA kbhowto 
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0,5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:4.0,5.0,5.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999