11 replies to this topic

[xaxidk]

I'm using AHK_L. I have a pointer to an Excel object and I'd like to pass the pointer to another script so that the second script can control the same Excel object. I've tried the following method, but it doesn't work:

Script1.ahk: This creates the Excel object

oExcel := ComObjCreate("Excel.Application")
run Script2.ahk %oExcel%

Script2.ahk: This should make the Excel object visible, but it doesn't

oExcel = %1%
oExcel.Visible := 1

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[maul.esel]

You can retrieve the "base address" or pointer (using CombjUnwrap()), you can pass it, the 2nd script can read it - but it's worthless. As already mentioned, the pointer is not valid in another process. So any attempt to get an object from it or to call a method will fail.

The suggestion with the HWND might be more helpful. However, I'm not sure Acc_* will help you...

Also the second script might try to simply use ComObjActive("Excel.Application"). However, I'm not sure when an object is registered as active (e.g. does then window have to be active, too?).

[xaxidk]

ComObjActive("Excel.Application") won't work properly if there's more than one instance of Excel open, which happens to be the case here.

I think I'm just going to use a third script to coordinate the other two scripts. Thanks for the help everyone.

[Learning one]

ComObjActive("Excel.Application") won't work properly if there's more than one instance of Excel open

It's recommended to use oExcel := Excel_Get() instead of oExcel := ComObjActive("Excel.Application") to access the Excel object for a few reasons - when you use oExcel := ComObjActive("Excel.Application");
• if there is more than 1 running Excel process, it will get the first registered on the ROT (Running Object Table).
• if the Excel process hasn't been registered on the ROT (if it was just opened), you will get a Com Error.
• you will get an error if the worksheet is being edited

oExcel := Excel_Get()		; access the Excel object(that's better way than oExcel := ComObjActive("Excel.Application"))

#Include Acc.ahk			; by Sean and Jethrow	http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82767

Excel_Get(WinTitle="ahk_class XLMAIN") {	; by Sean and Jethrow, minor modification by Learning one
	ControlGet, hwnd, hwnd, , Excel71, %WinTitle%
	if !hwnd
		return
	Window := Acc_ObjectFromWindow(hwnd, -16)
	Loop
		try
			Application := Window.Application
		catch
			ControlSend, Excel71, {esc}, %WinTitle%
	Until !!Application
	return Application
}	; http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=492448#492448

[tank]

I prefer to use ComObjGet(path)

[Learning one]

ComObjGet(path) is nice, but if I'm right, you can't use it if you want to access new workbook that isn't saved yet.

[tank]

your correct but why work with an unsaved file?

[jethrow]

ComObjGet can get the Book if it's registered on the ROT:

Run Excel, , , pid

MsgBox, 262144, , Wait for Excel ...

ControlGetText, WorkBookName, Excel71, ahk_pid %pid%

Book := ComObjGet(WorkBookName)

Book.ActiveSheet.Range("A1").Value := "Cell A1"

[Learning one]

@tank: Why not? But jethrow proved we were wrong about ComObjGet().
@jethrow: Thanks for the info!