Microsoft KB Archive/196673

= WD97: Window Stays on Screen Using Shell to Start MS-DOS Program =

Article ID: 196673

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q196673





SYMPTOMS
When using Visual Basic for Applications, if you use the Shell command to run an MS-DOS program, the MS-DOS box remains on the screen, and you must manually close the box.



CAUSE
The Close On Exit property is not set for the MS-DOS window.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

 * 1) Start the MS-DOS Prompt (click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt).
 * 2) On the toolbar, click Properties.
 * 3) On the Program tab, click to select the Close On Exit check box, and then click OK.

Method 2
Start the program using the MS-DOS command interpreter, Command.com, with the /C switch. This switch closes the window after the program quits. For example, to run a batch file, use the following command:

  Shell "command.com /c example.bat"

The following example VBA code closes the window after the batch command executes:

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. Sub TextShell Dim RetVal RetVal = Shell ("C:\WINDOWS\command.com /c example.bat ", 1) End Sub

