WD97: Using SendKeys with Dialog Boxes (170719)

SYMPTOMS

When you use the SendKeys function after calling a dialog box, your macro does not run as expected. For example, the following macro does not run correctly:

   Sub SendKeysExample()
      ChDir "C:\My Documents"           ' Change Directory.
      Dialogs(wdDialogFileOpen).Show    ' Show the FileOpen dialog.
      SendKeys "%A" '                   ' Send the ALT+A keystroke.
   End Sub

CAUSE

Visual Basic for Applications processes code one line at a time. The SendKeys function sends the specified keys to the active application, just as if they were typed at the keyboard. If Word is not the active application, and if wait is set to -1, Word will wait for all the keys to be processed before proceeding.

Whenever a Word dialog box is opened, it becomes the active foreground application and it is ready to take commands; it also must be terminated (with OK or Cancel) before the next line can be processed.

WORKAROUND

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In the example, the SendKeys command should come before the Dialogs command so that the FileOpen dialog box can process the keys and display the Advanced search dialog box. Then the next line of code can be processed.

   Sub SendKeysExample()
      ChDir "C:\My Documents"           ' Change Directory.
      SendKeys "%A"                     ' Send the ALT+A keystroke.
      Dialogs(wdDialogFileOpen).Show    ' Show the FileOpen dialog.
   End Sub

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, see the following article or articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

165078 WD97: Some Open Shortcuts Changed

For more information about SendKeys, from the Visual Basic for Applications Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "SendKeys," click Search, and then click to view "SendKeys Statement."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

For additional information, see the following article or articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component