Refer to existing instance

[lorenzodv]

Hello.

I used OLE automation to control a InternetExplorer object. This is the code I put in the Declarations section:

Private MyIE As SHDocVw.InternetExplorer

And this is how I created the object in Form_Load:

Set MyIE = CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application&quot
MyIE.Visible = True

However, it always create a new instance of IE, while I want it to refer to an already running copy of explorer. I've tried with GetObject, but all I get is the "ActiveX component can't create the object" error.

Please help me.
Thanks in advance.

--
Lorenzo

 

[JohnYingling]

Create the IE object once into a global object variable and re-use it. Be aware that the user can close the IE desoite your holding a reference to it so always use On error logic to intercept errors.

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[lorenzodv]

John, can you give me code for that. I put the object declarations in the declarations section of the form... do you mean I should have put it in a module?

 

[JohnYingling]

Whatever will keep the object alive for as long as you want it. Defdine a module if the form does not live as long as the reference to IE must. Use a function to returm the IE object to a temprary object variable when you want IE.

'Example IE handler Module
Private mobjIE as object ' OR InternetExplorer.Application
Public Function GetIEObject() as object ' OR InternetExplorer.Application
    ' Veriy that we have an IE Automation object and
    ' that it is still present (user could have closed it).
    Dim blnW      as boolean 
    if mobjIE is nothing then ' Need IE
    else
        On error Resume next
            ' Dummy operation to determine if IE still there
            blnW = mobjIE.Visible ' Err if object BUT IE gone 
            if Err <> 0 then Set mobjIE = Nothing ' 
        On Error GOTO 0
    ' If there is no IE then create a new instance.
    if mobjIE IS Nothing then     
        set mobjIE CreateObject(&quot;InternetExplorer.Application&quot;)
    End if
    Set GetIEObject = mobjIE  ' Return the IE Object
End sub
Public Sub CloseIE() ' Jist on general principle
    Set mobjIE = Nothing
End sub

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