OT: new->file command line option

C:\>copy con newfile.xls

-Z-

snipped-for-privacy@netzero.com Inscribed thus:

All it does is create an empty file with the correct extention. Its not a template. A template implies that you have a file pre-formatted with place holders for data.

Simply use the correct file extention.

You can give the file any name you want on the left hand side of the period.

Try it. A 7 KB "emtpy file"? Why do all of you just assume and reply nonsense? It would have taken 30 seconds to try it yourself and not look like a total fool. Go ahead, TRY IT, DO IT, and *look*, fool. And it's different for every file type.

DUH.

You don't know what I'm trying to do, I need the stupid file to be ready to be used as a "data source". It will be registered and receive data through ODBC. Think an empty file will work? Doofus.

What a useless reply. Christ now I know the feeling Allison gets sometimes. Next time, don't reply if all you have is a bag full of NOTHING.

If you really need a new file of a certain type, you need to use DDE to execute the command specified in the shell|new section of the registry key associated with the program. For Excel this is HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\New\ddeexec. You can find programs on the Internet which let you execute this command (ala ClassExec, DDE_run etc.) which is what Windows does after all.

That said, if you just say 'touch foo.xls' you get an empty file which Excel knows how to open (ie just typing 'foo.xls' on the command line opens it with Excel) and show the same UI as a properly blank file. Whether an empty file would work for you is an open question though.

Not sure I know the exact answer to your questions -- or rather, I'm sure there's an easier way to do it..., but here's one solution:

Write a short program in VB for DOS (Yes, I know, a very old program, but it should work fine?). Your VB program would create the XLS file instance and store it where you want it.

I suppose you could also use any modern version of Visual Basic too (or C+, etc...)? Just create the *.exe file and call that from whatever you are doing, even via Command Line.

Otherwise, as Muzaffer suggested, DDE might work if you can figure out how to get to it from the Command Line.

You can also try asking Mr. Excel (seriously). That's a podcast available through iTunes. They may have your answer there. Link:

When you find your answer, could you please post here? One never knows when he'll need information like this....

Thanks.

-mpm

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Contradicting yourself a bit here?

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The file may be only in memory until you save it.