How do I simulate a Windows Explorer double-click on a file?

[SirPaladin]

I would have thought this would be simple, but I haven't found an easy way to launch a file with it's associated application (like would happen if you double-clicked the file in Windows Explorer). Give the complete path to a file, how do you 'execute' it? Right now I know how to launch a Word or Excel file, but I need to be able to trigger a file of any type to open in whatever application is associated with it's extension (such as an .html file launching a browser, a .jpg launching whatever image software is currently associated, etc.).

 

[BlackKnight]

Hi,

You can use the shell function and pass the double-clicked file as a command line argument to its associated application.

Dim RetVal
RetVal = Shell("C:\WINDOWS\CALC.EXE", 1) ' Run Calculator

Have a good one!
BK

 

[Ruairi]

Paladin,
You need to use the ShellExecute api call. Here are the declarations to include. Create a text file on your C:\ drive called test.txt and open a new project and add a standard module. Paste the declaration and constants below into the module and add a command button to the form, then paste the form code into the form. When you click the button notepad will open with the test file. I got this example from

http://www.vbapi.com,

so you can go there for a more detailed explanation. This should be exactly what you need.

'**** STANDARD MODULE *******
Public Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hwnd As Long, _
    ByVal lpOperation As String, ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, ByVal _
    lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

Public Const SW_MAXIMIZE = 3
Public Const SW_MINIMIZE = 6
Public Const SW_RESTORE = 9
'**** END MODULE CODE ************

'**** FORM CODE ******** 
Private Sub Command1_Click()
    
retval = ShellExecute(Form1.hwnd, "open", "C:\test.txt", "-fast", "C:\", _
        SW_MAXIMIZE)
End Sub

Ruairi

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