Open a file specified in a field using Shell function

[lwwhite]

I'm working with VB in an Access 2003 database. I have a form, called "EditWindowsFields," that contains a field called "sourcedoc." I am trying to use the Shell function to open the XML file that is specified in the "sourcedoc" field. I've created a button on the form with this as the OnClick event:

Shell "C:\Program Files\Adobe\FrameMaker7.1\FrameMaker.exe C:\Sourcedocs\Me.sourcedoc", vbNormalFocus

Needless to say, that's not working and I can't figure out how to call a file specified in a field rather than a hardcoded file name in this function. I'm not a programmer at all, just muddling my way through here. Can anyone help?

[NeoPa]

I'm working with VB in an Access 2003 database. I have a form, called "EditWindowsFields," that contains a field called "sourcedoc." I am trying to use the Shell function to open the XML file that is specified in the "sourcedoc" field. I've created a button on the form with this as the OnClick event:

Shell "C:\Program Files\Adobe\FrameMaker7.1\FrameMaker.exe C:\Sourcedocs\Me.sourcedoc", vbNormalFocus

Needless to say, that's not working and I can't figure out how to call a file specified in a field rather than a hardcoded file name in this function. I'm not a programmer at all, just muddling my way through here. Can anyone help?

Shell "C:\Program Files\Adobe\FrameMaker7.1\FrameMaker.exe C:\Sourcedocs\" & Me.sourcedoc, vbNormalFocus

That should do it for you.

[ADezii]

I'm working with VB in an Access 2003 database. I have a form, called "EditWindowsFields," that contains a field called "sourcedoc." I am trying to use the Shell function to open the XML file that is specified in the "sourcedoc" field. I've created a button on the form with this as the OnClick event:

Shell "C:\Program Files\Adobe\FrameMaker7.1\FrameMaker.exe C:\Sourcedocs\Me.sourcedoc", vbNormalFocus

Needless to say, that's not working and I can't figure out how to call a file specified in a field rather than a hardcoded file name in this function. I'm not a programmer at all, just muddling my way through here. Can anyone help?

'Just remember that when using the Shell() function, that it returns a Variant
'(Double), thus you must use this syntax:

Dim RetVal
RetVal = Shell("C:\WINDOWS\Regedit.exe", vbNormalFocus)

[NeoPa]

'Just remember that when using the Shell() function, that it returns a Variant
'(Double), thus you must use this syntax:

Dim RetVal
RetVal = Shell("C:\WINDOWS\Regedit.exe", vbNormalFocus)

Although that is certainly recommended (or use

Call Shell("C:\WINDOWS\Regedit.exe", vbNormalFocus)

), it is not actually necessary due to Access's propensity to be very (overly) forgiving in matters of code.
You can take it as a strong recommendation though, to use code which illustrates to any reader that it is a function rather than a simple subroutine procedure you're calling.

[lwwhite]

Shell "C:\Program Files\Adobe\FrameMaker7.1\FrameMaker.exe C:\Sourcedocs\" & Me.sourcedoc, vbNormalFocus

That should do it for you.

Perfect! Thank you so much!