Microsoft KB Archive/166367

= PRB: Internet Explorer Returns Object Required: 'Explorer' =

Article ID: 166367

Article Last Modified on 5/1/1999

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition

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This article was previously published under Q166367



SYMPTOMS
When attempting to run a script in Internet Explorer versions 3.02 and 4.0 that references the Explorer property on the document object, the following error occurs:

runtime error. Line : Object required: 'Explorer'



CAUSE
The Explorer property was removed from the HTML scripting object model.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
Prior to version 3.02 of Internet Explorer, the Explorer property was an undocumented property of the HTML Scripting Object Model document object. While the Explorer property has been used in some cases in a positive way by content providers, it is possible to use it in ways that lead to a negative experience for the end-user. An example of this can be illustrated using the explorer.fullscreen property. An end-user viewing a page that kicks the browser into full-screen (kiosk) mode may lack the technical experience to regain control of the browser and may end up having to reboot.

Microsoft makes every effort to provide alternative means to achieve legitimate results that are possible through the use of the Explorer property. Below is a list of the common uses for the Explorer property and the corresponding script-based workaround, which achieves similar results. The examples are written in VBScript; however, they can be converted easily to JScript.

explorer.fullscreen -
Internet Explorer can be started in kiosk mode by launching the browser with the -k command line option. This is the only option for running the browser in kiosk mode.

To simulate kiosk mode, however, adapt the following code:

   window.open "http://example.microsoft.com", _ "","menubar=no,toolbar=no,status=no" window.close    Upon loading the HTML above Internet Explorer 3.02 executes the script immediately. The script loads the specified URL into a new maximized window that contains no menu bar, toolbar, or status bar. The initial window that executed the script is closed.

explorer.top, left, height, and width -
Another instance of the browser can be opened in a position specified in the window.open method: Function DoTopLeftHeightWidth window.open "http://example.microsoft.com", "", _        "top=0,left=0,height=1,width=1"      window.close   End Function

explorer.statusbar, menubar, and toolbar -
Another instance of the browser can be opened with or without the control bars present: Function DoOpenLimitAdornments window.open "http://example.microsoft.com", "", _       "statusbar=no,menubar=yes,toolbar=no"      window.close   End Function

explorer.goforward -
Function DoGoForward window.history.forward End Function

explorer.goback -
Function DoGoBack window.history.back End Function

explorer.locationurl -
Function DoLocationUrl msgbox location.href End Function

explorer.locationname -
Function DoLocationName msgbox window.document.title End Function

explorer.navigate( ,navNoHistory) -
Function DoNavNoHistory window.location.replace("<WWLINK TYPE="GENERIC" VALUE="http://example.microsoft.com")">http://example.microsoft.com")</WWLINK>  End Function

explorer.fullname or explorer.path -
Function DoUserAgent MsgBox navigator.userAgent End Function

explorer.refresh and refresh2 -
Function DoRefresh location.reload End Function Microsoft has determined that there is no script-based workaround for executing the following methods or retrieving the values of the following properties:
 * explorer.GoHome
 * explorer.GoSearch
 * explorer.height
 * explorer.width
 * explorer.top
 * explorer.left
 * explorer.busy

The above properties are exposed for those who need them via an ActiveX control provided by Microsoft. To use the control, embed the following in your Web page: <OBJECT ID="Accessor1" CLASSID="CLSID:354154AE-9BFE-11D0-A6D0-00AA00A70FC2" CODEBASE= "http://activex.microsoft.com/controls/iexplorer/x86/iwebacc.dll"> </OBJECT>

The properties and methods can then be accessed as follows:

Accessor1.GoHome Accessor1.GoSearch Accessor1.height ...

Additional query words: explorer object

Keywords: kbprb KB166367

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