DOCUMENT:Q196673 13-MAY-2002 [word97] TITLE :WD97: Window Stays on Screen Using Shell to Start MS-DOS Program PRODUCT :Word 97 for Windows PROD/VER:WINDOWS:97 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbdta kbwordvba word97 ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Word 97 for Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When using Visual Basic for Applications, if you use the Shell command to run an MS-DOS program, the MS-DOS box remains on the screen, and you must manually close the box. CAUSE ===== The Close On Exit property is not set for the MS-DOS window. WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem, use either of the following methods. Method 1 -------- 1. Start the MS-DOS Prompt (click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt). 2. On the toolbar, click Properties. 3. On the Program tab, click to select the Close On Exit check box, and then click OK. Method 2 -------- Start the program using the MS-DOS command interpreter, Command.com, with the /C switch. This switch closes the window after the program quits. For example, to run a batch file, use the following command: Shell "command.com /c example.bat" The following example VBA code closes the window after the batch command executes: 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 a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/partner/referral/ For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS Sub TextShell Dim RetVal RetVal = Shell ("C:\WINDOWS\command.com /c example.bat ", 1) End Sub REFERENCES ========== For help with Command.com switches, start MS-DOS Prompt, type "command /?" (without the quotation marks), and press ENTER. Additional query words: 8.0 doesn't remains stays open ====================================================================== Keywords : kbdta kbwordvba word97 Technology : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2 Version : WINDOWS:97 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.