Calling an External VBA from VBScript

Question

I am using a program called mathtype to pull some equation objects out of a word document. I've written code in VBA that works perfectly using their API, but I have to translate it to a VBScript file. I have looked all over google, but have not found any solution on how (If it is even possible) to call a VBA library from VBScript.

VBScript can't see the MathTypeSDK Objects/Functions.

If not possible, how would I encase the macro I need to run in a globally available word file and call it from the VBScript?

Edit: Got it! Unfortunately the approaches below, while helpful, did not work for my situation. I found something closer: Embedding the macro in a global file and calling it through the Word Objects Run command. objWord.Run "Normal.NewMacros.RunMain"

You could hook up your macro to the "open" event in a Word document, then just open the word file from VBScript. It all depends on how much interaction you need between the VBA and VBscript code. Is the Mathtype code in a dll or is it a VBA add-in? — Tim Williams
– Tim Williams, Commented May 31, 2011 at 19:55
Basically I just need one class (I could just redefine it in my VBScript) and one function (this is the troubling part) from a "global template" VBA project (The reference in VBA is to a .dot). — DurkD
– DurkD, Commented May 31, 2011 at 20:05

Tim Williams · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-31 22:40:40Z

3

Here is an approach which might work for you. I tested this simple example.

Class "clsTest" in file "Tester.docm":

Public Sub Hello()
    MsgBox "Hello"
End Sub

Class "Instancing" is marked "PublicNotCreatable".

Module in "Tester.docm":

Public Function GetClass() As clsTest
    Set GetClass = New clsTest
End Function

In your vbscript:

Dim fPath, fName

fPath = "C:\Documents and Settings\twilliams\Desktop\"
fName = "Tester.docm"

Dim wdApp, o

Set wdApp = CreateObject("word.application")
wdApp.visible=true
wdapp.documents.open fPath & fName

Set o = wdApp.Run("GetClass")
o.Hello

Set o=nothing

Again - I only tested this simple example: you'll have to adapt it to your situation and try it out.

edited May 31, 2011 at 22:40

answered May 31, 2011 at 20:58

Tim Williams

169k8 gold badges104 silver badges144 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Doc Brown · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-31 20:07:07Z

2

Word-VBA was not made to create reusable libraries, I suppose (for usage in external programs).

One way to reuse existing Word-VBA code is, however, run Word via WScript.Shell.Run using the /m<macroname> command line switch (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/210565/en-us for details). This, has the restriction that evertime you need to call a specific macro, a Word process is started again, running that macro, and ends afterwards. Means, if you need just one call to your Word.VBA for a specfific task, this may be ok, but if you need a lot of interprocess communication between your VBScript and your VBA macro, you should look for a different solution.

answered May 31, 2011 at 20:07

Doc Brown

20.2k7 gold badges56 silver badges95 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Calling an External VBA from VBScript

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related