Return error message from batch file

Question

I'm shelling to a batch file from VBA, to launch an exec file, such as Notepad.exe. I would like to return an indication or message back to VBA if the exec file wasn't found. So far, I've been doing this by having the bat write a message to a text file, then have VBA examine this file. This approach seems a bit kludgy, but so far I haven't come across an alternate method.

@echo off

set EM="C:\Msg.txt"
if exist %EM% del %EM%

set FL=%SystemRoot%\system32\xnotepad.exe

if not exist %FL% (
echo %FL% not found > %EM%
goto done
)

Start "" %FL%

:done

imkost · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-11 10:49:31Z

2

in VBA,

Dim oSHELL, batchname, usr, pass, exitcode
Set oSHELL = VBA.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
usr="username"
pass="password"
batchname="batchFile.bat"

' Arguments ToRun, Style (0=hide), Waitforend
exitcode = oSHELL.Run(""""+batchname+""" """+usr+""" """+pass+"""", 0, True)

and in your batch

exit somenumber

should return somenumber to exitcode

Actual code I used:

Sub q27097252()
Dim oSHELL, batchname, usr, pass, exitcode
Set oSHELL = VBA.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
usr = ""
pass = ""
batchname = "c:\106x\q27097252.bat"

' Arguments ToRun, Style (0=hide), Waitforend
exitcode = oSHELL.Run("""" + batchname + """ """ + usr + """ """ + pass + """", 0, True)
MsgBox (exitcode)
End Sub

With batch c:\106x\q27097252.bat

@ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL
EXIT %time:~-1%

GOTO :EOF

Ran perfectly well for me in VBA code editor/F5 (expected result: messagebox showing 0..9 at random)

Following comment/solution when using Windows XP:

It would appear the exit /b number option simply sets errorlevel whereas exit number actually sets the termination code.
Termination code is 0 under XP since cmd.exe actually terminated normally — whereas Windows 7 (and later) appears to assign the current errorlevel as exit code for the cmd.exe process.
Hence, use exit number by preference for compatibility with XP — code adjusted to suit.

edited Nov 11, 2015 at 10:49

imkost

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answered Nov 24, 2014 at 4:17

Magoo

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5 Comments

DaveU Over a year ago

Thanks, but no matter what I set somenumber to, exitcode always remains at 0. I must be doing something wrong, will look at this some more tomorrow.

DaveU Over a year ago

I'm using your VBA code verbetim (but without usr, pass params) with a test bat file that contains 1 line exit /b 3. But no matter what I try, exitcode is always = 0, so the error code is not being returned. Any suggestions?

DaveU Over a year ago

OK, I'm using both your VBA and bat code exactly as you have it (copied & pasted), just changed the name of the bat file to match mine. Still no dice, just returns 0. Interestingly, if I change the bat file name to cmd.exe, then manually type exit /b 3 from the command line, the exitcode works as expected. I'm running this on Win XP, if that makes any difference (shouldn't). Thanks for you help and patience.

DaveU Over a year ago

Well, I tried it on both of my Win XP systems, didn't work. Borrowed a friend's Win 7 laptop, and presto - it worked! So my problem must be a Win XP issue. Will let you know if it gets resolved, thanks.

DaveU Over a year ago

Have a look at THIS, seems we need to use exit # with WinXP, and not exit /b #. Don't completely understand why, but it seems to work for me.

RGuggisberg · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-24 04:06:08Z

-1

You can do this with the EXIT command. Take a look at EXIT /?

answered Nov 24, 2014 at 4:06

RGuggisberg

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