Shell()

Execute another application or task.

Syntax

Shell(cFile, [cParameters], [cDirectory], [nShow]) --> nResult

Arguments

<cFile> --> is the application program to start, for example, "EXCEL"

<cParameters> --> are optional parameters to pass to the application or task.

<cDirectory> --> is an optional parameter that indicates in which directory the application is found. This is the directory path.

<nShow> --> is an optional instruction on how to show the application when it starts. The default value is 1. The range of acceptable values are listed in the following table:

Value	Meaning
0	Hide application when starting. (Do not make it visible.)
1	Display normally.
2	Start as an icon (minimised on taskbar).
3	Start maximised (take up full area of display).
4	Display but not make it the active window by changing focus.

While you may issue a show instruction there is no guarantee that the application or task will obey the request.

Returns

Returns a numeric value. Values between 0 and 31 indicate a failure to execute the program or perform the task. Common error conditions are listed in the table below:

Value	Meaning
0	System was out of memory, executable file was corrupt, relocations were invalid, or parameters sent to function were of incorrect format.
2	File not found.
3	Path not found.
8	There was insufficient memory to start the application.
10	Windows version was incorrect.
11	Executable file was invalid. Either it was not a Windows application or the EXE program was corrupted.
16	Attempt to load an application that could not be loaded twice.
20	One of the DLL files associated with the application or task was corrupt.
31	There is no associated file type or action for the request that Windows can recognise.

Description

This function is used to start another application or execute a task.

Example

* Open Excel

Shell("Excel")

* Start Windows Explorer

Shell("Explorer")

* Go to CAPITAL web site

Shell("www.capitaloffice.com.au")

* Send an email using your default email software

Shell("mailto:support@capialoffice.com.au")

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