how can you use mshtml DOM object to grab rendered asp.net page?

[Randall Arnold]

I know how to use MSHTML to grab the innerhtml from an html web page, but
what if I want to look at elements of a rendered aspx page? Is there any
way to do this using the MSHTML DOM object?

Thanks,

Randall Arnold

[Robbe Morris [C# MVP]]

"One" alternative is to use an http handler. This example
will get you off to a good start.

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/articles/hijacksession.asp

--
Robbe Morris - 2004/2005 Microsoft MVP C#
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/forums/merit.asp

"Randall Arnold" <ra************ @nokia.com> wrote in message
news:uG******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...

I know how to use MSHTML to grab the innerhtml from an html web page, but
what if I want to look at elements of a rendered aspx page? Is there any
way to do this using the MSHTML DOM object?

Thanks,

Randall Arnold

[Randall Arnold]

Thanks Robbe. C# makes this VB developer's head spin, and I'm obviously out
of my league based on what I've perused so far, but I'll see if I can get
anything useable out of your well-written article.

I thought this was going to be simple when I started... hoo boy... : (

Randall

"Robbe Morris [C# MVP]" <in**@eggheadca fe.com> wrote in message
news:eU******** *****@TK2MSFTNG P15.phx.gbl...

"One" alternative is to use an http handler. This example
will get you off to a good start.

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/articles/hijacksession.asp

--
Robbe Morris - 2004/2005 Microsoft MVP C#
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/forums/merit.asp

"Randall Arnold" <ra************ @nokia.com> wrote in message
news:uG******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...

I know how to use MSHTML to grab the innerhtml from an html web page, but
what if I want to look at elements of a rendered aspx page? Is there any
way to do this using the MSHTML DOM object?

Thanks,

Randall Arnold

[Jim Cheshire]

Robbe Morris [C# MVP] wrote:

"One" alternative is to use an http handler. This example
will get you off to a good start.

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/articles/hijacksession.asp

A better choice would be to use a Response filter.

http://weblogs.asp.net/despos/archiv...01/145436.aspx

--
Jim Cheshire
=============== =============== ==
Blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/jamesche

Latest entry: Digging into Objects
Describes the details of digging into
memory usage with the debugger.

[Randall Arnold]

Um, but what about this comment (from the link):

"The problem is that the response's output stream is write-only, presumably
for performance reasons. Any attempt to read the output stream fails"

Basically, I want to grab a table rendered by the asp.net code and copy it
to the clipboard. So far all suggested methods have failed. I'm sure what
I want to do *HAS* to be possible... just can't find out how...

Randall

"Jim Cheshire" <no*****@none.c om> wrote in message
news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..

Robbe Morris [C# MVP] wrote:

"One" alternative is to use an http handler. This example
will get you off to a good start.

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/articles/hijacksession.asp

A better choice would be to use a Response filter.

http://weblogs.asp.net/despos/archiv...01/145436.aspx

--
Jim Cheshire
=============== =============== ==
Blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/jamesche

Latest entry: Digging into Objects
Describes the details of digging into
memory usage with the debugger.

[Jim Cheshire]

Randall Arnold wrote:

Um, but what about this comment (from the link):

"The problem is that the response's output stream is write-only,
presumably for performance reasons. Any attempt to read the output
stream fails"

That comment applies to the PreSendRequestC ontent and not to a response
filter.

Basically, I want to grab a table rendered by the asp.net code and
copy it to the clipboard. So far all suggested methods have failed. I'm
sure what I want to do *HAS* to be possible... just can't find
out how...

I would seriously reconsider that desire. What is it that you are trying to
accomplish?

--
Jim Cheshire
=============== =============== ==
Blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/jamesche

Latest entry: Digging into Objects
Describes the details of digging into
memory usage with the debugger.

[Randall Arnold]

This is the gist of it: our organization currently uses a VB6 program to
track and report quality issues. The developer is long gone and I have no
access to current source code.

I've been tasked to develop a new solution and the preference is web-based.
To that extent, I selected asp.net based on my experience with vb and
vb.net.

Users will view tables and charts on the intranet site and need to have the
ability to publish them in other applications (Word, Powerpoint, Publisher,
et al). I can easily copy the charts to any app because the chart object
has a method that creates bitmaps or metafiles on the fly, and even though
I'd rather copy the actual chart object, this will suffice.

The problem arises with copying tabular info. I've exhausted numerous ideas
and not one single one has worked unless it involves saving the table to an
html file, loading it in Word, copying the resulting table to the clipboard,
and pasting it. That's just plain nuts IMO. I can't understand why I can't
simply programmaticall y access the rendered html table, especially since I
can highlight it with a mouse, copy, paste and done. I should be able to
emulate that action in vb.net code, right? If I can't *I* have serious
reservations about the maturity level of asp.net.

Randall

"Jim Cheshire" <no*****@none.c om> wrote in message
news:%2******** *******@tk2msft ngp13.phx.gbl.. .

Randall Arnold wrote:

Um, but what about this comment (from the link):

"The problem is that the response's output stream is write-only,
presumably for performance reasons. Any attempt to read the output
stream fails"

That comment applies to the PreSendRequestC ontent and not to a response
filter.

Basically, I want to grab a table rendered by the asp.net code and
copy it to the clipboard. So far all suggested methods have failed. I'm
sure what I want to do *HAS* to be possible... just can't find
out how...

I would seriously reconsider that desire. What is it that you are trying
to accomplish?

--
Jim Cheshire
=============== =============== ==
Blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/jamesche

Latest entry: Digging into Objects
Describes the details of digging into
memory usage with the debugger.

[Jim Cheshire]

Randall Arnold wrote:

I can't understand why I can't simply programmaticall y
access the rendered html table, especially since I can highlight it
with a mouse, copy, paste and done. I should be able to emulate that
action in vb.net code, right? If I can't *I* have serious
reservations about the maturity level of asp.net.
Randall

I went back and read your original post. It seems that you want to copy this
to the client clipboard. Is that correct? If so, can't be done in ASP.NET.
ASP.NET code doesn't execute on the client.

--
Jim Cheshire
=============== =============== ==
Blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/jamesche

Latest entry: Digging into Objects
Describes the details of digging into
memory usage with the debugger.

[Randall Arnold]

Ok, I can understand that, but with all due respect I still can't accept
that I can't achieve this one way or another. Again, I have no problem
copying the chart graphic to the clipboard and bringing it into PowerPoint
with 2 simple lines of code, and it looks beautiful. I have to believe that
there is *some* way of copying a simple table over as well, without going
through contortions. I keep seeing hints that it can be done but either the
methods don't work for me or there aren't enough details provided. Someone
told me there's a way to stream the table to PowerPoint but provided no
other info. ???

Right now the 2 options I know I can use are the cumbersome html file
generation technique and building each and every table from scratch in
PowerPoint using vba with the interop. I have issues with either approach,
but I'll use the former if I have no other choice. MUCH less code.

The thing that gets me is I found an asp.net/JavaScript combo trick that
allows the user to toggle a table between hidden and visible. I got this to
work on the page in question. If I can do THAT, I have to believe I can use
a similar trick to copy the table. I just need to know the method.

Randall Arnold

"Jim Cheshire" <no*****@none.c om> wrote in message
news:eO******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP10.phx.gbl...

Randall Arnold wrote:

I can't understand why I can't simply programmaticall y
access the rendered html table, especially since I can highlight it
with a mouse, copy, paste and done. I should be able to emulate that
action in vb.net code, right? If I can't *I* have serious
reservations about the maturity level of asp.net.
Randall

I went back and read your original post. It seems that you want to copy
this to the client clipboard. Is that correct? If so, can't be done in
ASP.NET. ASP.NET code doesn't execute on the client.

--
Jim Cheshire
=============== =============== ==
Blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/jamesche

Latest entry: Digging into Objects
Describes the details of digging into
memory usage with the debugger.

[Jim Cheshire]

Randall Arnold wrote:

The thing that gets me is I found an asp.net/JavaScript combo trick
that allows the user to toggle a table between hidden and visible. I
got this to work on the page in question. If I can do THAT, I have
to believe I can use a similar trick to copy the table. I just need
to know the method.

This is not an ASP.NET question. It is a question concerning client-script.
A quick Google search on "javascript clipboard" reveals thousands of hits.

I have to say as well that if you don't get your head around the fact that
ASP.NET is server side code with no connection to the client, you're going
to be quite confused as your development continues. This is the basic
foundation of ASP.NET and it's something that every ASP.NET absolutely must
know.

--
Jim Cheshire
=============== =============== ==
Blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/jamesche

Latest entry: Digging into Objects
Describes the details of digging into
memory usage with the debugger.