Executing the FORM? Function from Another Application

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
Article ID: Q74520

SUMMARY

As stated in the "Q+E for Microsoft Excel User's Guide" on page 98, the FORM? function cannot be executed from another application by using DDE (dynamic data exchange).

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce

Create and run the following macro.

      A1: chan=INITIATE("QE","SYSTEM")
      A2: =APP.ACTIVATE("Q+E")
      A3: =EXECUTE(chan,"[open('query1.qef')]")
      A4: =TERMINATE(chan)
      A5: =RETURN()

where 'query1.qef' contains:

      Q+E 3.0 for dBASEFile SELECT ALL FROM C:\EXCEL\QE\EMP.DBF
      Compatibility=DBASE,CharSet=IBMPC); form?()

The correct records are displayed but the FORM? command is ignored.

If you open this query file in Q+E, all records from EMP.DBF are displayed and then the FORM? dialog box is brought up.

Workaround

FORM?() can be executed from a macro using the Send.keys command as shown below.

   A1: chan=INITIATE("QE","SYSTEM")
   A2:=ERROR(FALSE)
   A3: =SEND.KEYS("%fo",FALSE)
   A4: =SEND.KEYS("%c:\excel\qe\query1.qef~")
   A6: =RETURN()

Note: This example assumes that Q+E is either running or in your path. You may need to modify line 4 to refer to the correct locations of the query file you want to open.

REFERENCES

"Q+E for Microsoft Excel User's Guide." Version 3.0, page 98.

"Microsoft Excel Function Reference," Version 3.0, page 214.

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Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
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