Automating Excel from VB .NET

Fergus Cooney · Aug 30, 2003

Hi Howard,

Someone's more likely to try if you post a zip of the code in a form
that's ready to use.

Long code listings posted within a query suffer from loss of layout,
wrapped lines, and sheer looking too overwhelming!!

I'm off to bed. :-)

Good night,
Fergus

Howard Kaikow · Aug 30, 2003

There's a significant problem in automating Excel from VB .NET.
Reminds me of a problem I encountered almost 3 years ago that was caused by
the Norton Auntie Virus Office plug-in.
Can anybody reproduce the behavior described below?

For this example, I am using Excel 2002 and VS .NET 2002 and VB 6.

MSFT KB article 304661 gives a trivial example of early and late binding to
Excel
from VB .NET. Note that there is a variable naming error in the article, so
you are better
off using the code I am including below.

I am providing 3 pieces of code:

1. The VB .NET code from the KB article, with my corrections.
2. The equivalent VB 6 code, from me.
3. The VB.NET code generated by importin gthe VB 6 code into VB .NET 2002.

In the code, you will see two means for creating the Excel object.
Using New results in correct output for all 3 sets of code.
Using CreateObject results in correct output only for the VB 6 code.

To reproduce the error, I can:

1. Create a new VB .NET project of type Windows application.
2. Add a reference to the Excel 10 object library.
3. Add a button to the Form.
4. Use the code below for the Button1 Click event.
5. For the VB 6 code, follow the same steps, but the button is named
Command1.

Here is corrected code from KB article:
---------------------------------------------
Public Class Form1
Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form
#Region " Windows Form Designer generated code "
Public Sub New()
MyBase.New()
'This call is required by the Windows Form Designer.
InitializeComponent()
'Add any initialization after the InitializeComponent() call
End Sub
'Form overrides dispose to clean up the component list.
Protected Overloads Overrides Sub Dispose(ByVal disposing As Boolean)
If disposing Then
If Not (components Is Nothing) Then
components.Dispose()
End If
End If
MyBase.Dispose(disposing)
End Sub
'Required by the Windows Form Designer
Private components As System.ComponentModel.IContainer
'NOTE: The following procedure is required by the Windows Form Designer
'It can be modified using the Windows Form Designer.
'Do not modify it using the code editor.
Friend WithEvents Button1 As System.Windows.Forms.Button
<System.Diagnostics.DebuggerStepThrough()> Private Sub InitializeComponent()
Me.Button1 = New System.Windows.Forms.Button()
Me.SuspendLayout()
'
'Button1
'
Me.Button1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(40, 40)
Me.Button1.Name = "Button1"
Me.Button1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(176, 40)
Me.Button1.TabIndex = 0
Me.Button1.Text = "Button1"
'
'Form1
'
Me.AutoScaleBaseSize = New System.Drawing.Size(5, 13)
Me.ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(292, 273)
Me.Controls.AddRange(New System.Windows.Forms.Control() {Me.Button1})
Me.Name = "Form1"
Me.Text = "Form1"
Me.ResumeLayout(False)
End Sub
#End Region
Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
Dim objApp As Excel.Application
Dim objBook As Excel._Workbook
Dim objBooks As Excel.Workbooks
Dim objSheets As Excel.Sheets
Dim objSheet As Excel._Worksheet
Dim objrange As Excel.Range
' Instantiate Excel and start a new workbook.
objApp = New Excel.Application() ' This works
'objApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application") ' This does NOT work
objBooks = objApp.Workbooks
objBook = objBooks.Add
objSheets = objBook.Worksheets
objSheet = objSheets.Item(1)
objrange = objSheet.Range("A1")
'Set the range value.
objrange.Value = "Hello, World!"
'Return control of Excel to the user.
objApp.Visible = True
objApp.UserControl = True
End Sub
End Class
---------------------------------------------
Here is the VB 6 code:
---------------------------------------------
Option Explicit

Private Sub Command1_Click()
Dim objApp As Excel.Application
Dim objBook As Excel.Workbook
Dim objBooks As Excel.Workbooks
Dim objSheets As Excel.Sheets
Dim objSheet As Excel.Worksheet
Dim objrange As Excel.Range

' Instantiate Excel and start a new workbook.
' Set objApp = New Excel.Application ' This works
Set objApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application") ' This ALSO works
Set objBooks = objApp.Workbooks
Set objBook = objBooks.Add
Set objSheets = objBook.Worksheets
Set objSheet = objSheets.Item(1)

Set objrange = objSheet.Range("A1")

'Set the range value.
objrange.Value = "Hello, World!"

'Return control of Excel to the user.
objApp.Visible = True
objApp.UserControl = True
End Sub
---------------------------------------------
Here is the VB .NET code generated from the VB 6 code:
---------------------------------------------

Option Strict Off
Option Explicit On
Friend Class Form1
Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form
#Region "Windows Form Designer generated code "
Public Sub New()
MyBase.New()
If m_vb6FormDefInstance Is Nothing Then
If m_InitializingDefInstance Then
m_vb6FormDefInstance = Me
Else
Try
'For the start-up form, the first instance created is the default instance.
If System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly.EntryPoint.DeclaringType
Is Me.GetType Then
m_vb6FormDefInstance = Me
End If
Catch
End Try
End If
End If
'This call is required by the Windows Form Designer.
InitializeComponent()
End Sub
'Form overrides dispose to clean up the component list.
Protected Overloads Overrides Sub Dispose(ByVal Disposing As Boolean)
If Disposing Then
If Not components Is Nothing Then
components.Dispose()
End If
End If
MyBase.Dispose(Disposing)
End Sub
'Required by the Windows Form Designer
Private components As System.ComponentModel.IContainer
Public ToolTip1 As System.Windows.Forms.ToolTip
Public WithEvents Command1 As System.Windows.Forms.Button
'NOTE: The following procedure is required by the Windows Form Designer
'It can be modified using the Windows Form Designer.
'Do not modify it using the code editor.
<System.Diagnostics.DebuggerStepThrough()> Private Sub InitializeComponent()
Dim resources As System.Resources.ResourceManager = New
System.Resources.ResourceManager(GetType(Form1))
Me.components = New System.ComponentModel.Container()
Me.ToolTip1 = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolTip(components)
Me.ToolTip1.Active = True
Me.Command1 = New System.Windows.Forms.Button
Me.Text = "Form1"
Me.ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(312, 213)
Me.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(4, 23)
Me.StartPosition =
System.Windows.Forms.FormStartPosition.WindowsDefaultLocation
Me.Font = New System.Drawing.Font("Arial", 8!,
System.Drawing.FontStyle.Regular, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point,
CType(0, Byte))
Me.AutoScaleBaseSize = New System.Drawing.Size(5, 13)
Me.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control
Me.FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.Sizable
Me.ControlBox = True
Me.Enabled = True
Me.KeyPreview = False
Me.MaximizeBox = True
Me.MinimizeBox = True
Me.Cursor = System.Windows.Forms.Cursors.Default
Me.RightToLeft = System.Windows.Forms.RightToLeft.No
Me.ShowInTaskbar = True
Me.HelpButton = False
Me.WindowState = System.Windows.Forms.FormWindowState.Normal
Me.Name = "Form1"
Me.Command1.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter
Me.Command1.Text = "Command1"
Me.Command1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(73, 73)
Me.Command1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(96, 48)
Me.Command1.TabIndex = 0
Me.Command1.Font = New System.Drawing.Font("Arial", 8!,
System.Drawing.FontStyle.Regular, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point,
CType(0, Byte))
Me.Command1.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control
Me.Command1.CausesValidation = True
Me.Command1.Enabled = True
Me.Command1.ForeColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.ControlText
Me.Command1.Cursor = System.Windows.Forms.Cursors.Default
Me.Command1.RightToLeft = System.Windows.Forms.RightToLeft.No
Me.Command1.TabStop = True
Me.Command1.Name = "Command1"
Me.Controls.Add(Command1)
End Sub
#End Region
#Region "Upgrade Support "
Private Shared m_vb6FormDefInstance As Form1
Private Shared m_InitializingDefInstance As Boolean
Public Shared Property DefInstance() As Form1
Get
If m_vb6FormDefInstance Is Nothing OrElse m_vb6FormDefInstance.IsDisposed
Then
m_InitializingDefInstance = True
m_vb6FormDefInstance = New Form1()
m_InitializingDefInstance = False
End If
DefInstance = m_vb6FormDefInstance
End Get
Set
m_vb6FormDefInstance = Value
End Set
End Property
#End Region
Private Sub Command1_Click(ByVal eventSender As System.Object, ByVal
eventArgs As System.EventArgs) Handles Command1.Click
Dim objApp As Excel.Application
Dim objBook As Excel.Workbook
Dim objBooks As Excel.Workbooks
Dim objSheets As Excel.Sheets
Dim objSheet As Excel.Worksheet
Dim objrange As Excel.Range
' Instantiate Excel and start a new workbook.
objApp = New Excel.Application() ' This works
'objApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application") ' This does NOT work
objBooks = objApp.Workbooks
objBook = objBooks.Add
objSheets = objBook.Worksheets
objSheet = objSheets.Item(1)
objrange = objSheet.Range("A1")
'Set the range value.
objrange.Value = "Hello, World!"
'Return control of Excel to the user.
objApp.Visible = True
objApp.UserControl = True
End Sub
End Class

Howard Kaikow · Aug 30, 2003

It would be best to look at the KB article to try to reproduce what I did.

Armin Zingler · Aug 30, 2003

Fergus Cooney said:
Someone's more likely to try if you post a zip of the code in a
form
that's ready to use.

Long code listings posted within a query suffer from loss of
layout,
wrapped lines, and sheer looking too overwhelming!!

It's more likely to be read at all if posted only a link and do NOT attach a
zip. (>50KB => killed) ;-)

Cor · Aug 30, 2003

Fergus,
You fool, you 'v been up till 8 O'clock in the morning helping people.
Is that not a little bit overdone?
:-)

Cor

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP] · Aug 30, 2003

Hello,

Armin Zingler said:
It's more likely to be read at all if posted only a link and do NOT attach a
zip. (>50KB => killed) ;-)

Really interesting:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/newsgroups/managed/default.asp?url=/newsgroups/managed/NodePages/tips.asp

The page above says that attachments <= 1 MB can be added, the help document
for the German ngs says that no attachments should be added at all.

;-)

I *hate* attachments.

Regards,
Herfried K. Wagner

Fergus Cooney · Aug 30, 2003

Hi Howard,

|| It would be best to look at the KB article to try
|| to reproduce what I did.

Best for <you>, sure, but like I said, I'm to bed.

Regards,
Fergus's astral body in temporary corporate form

Fergus Cooney · Aug 30, 2003

Hi Cor,

|| You fool, you've been up till 8 o'clock in the morning helping people.

Lol. Guilty as charged, my friend. I <love> doing this. It combines my
programming skills with my desire to be a teacher (although I'm not a teacher,
it's in the blood), and my love for helping people.

As I was saying to Nick (private communication) "the buzz from people's
thanks - I love it. Born helper, me. ... the humour level keeps me well
chuckling :-D."

|| Is that not a little bit overdone?

Oh yes, absolutely. At the moment I'm unemployed , so the time is there,
sort of. However...

Again from my note to Nick "It's incredibly addictive. Every day I say
"right - got to stop this and get looking for work" ... I won't be able to
sustain it the way that I have. I'd love to do it as a job though. Shame it's
voluntary in a way. "

This is - has to be - only a temporary phase. I <do> need to get work. My
intention was to do this for about a week or so at the level that I have, and
then back off. It's just <so much fun> though.

|| :-)

to you too. Thank you. I appreciate your concern.

Best of,
Fergus

ps. Gissajob, lol.

Cor · Aug 30, 2003

I am in exactly the same situation as you

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP] · Aug 30, 2003

Hello,

Fergus Cooney said:
A zip of a working module/class/form is much more useful. As for size - a
zip of textual code is shorter than the code when posted. For example, my bug
report is a complete solution, including resx file and weighs in at under

7K.

Simetimes ZIP files are really useful, but I think it's better to upload the
file to a webserver and post the link.

|| I *hate* attachments

A bit of advice, 'cos I like you, - don't tell your fiance that one. She's
already planned the wedding down to the last detail, and is just waiting for
the next leap year!!

LOL

Regards,
Herfried K. Wagner

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP] · Aug 30, 2003

Hello,

Fergus Cooney said:
|| It would be best to look at the KB article to try
|| to reproduce what I did.

Best for <you>, sure, but like I said, I'm to bed.

Regards,
Fergus's astral body in temporary corporate form

Good night.

;-)

Regards,
Herfried K. Wagner

Cor · Aug 30, 2003

Fergus Cooney · Aug 30, 2003

Cheerzzz, Herfried, ZZzzzz, ZZzzzz :-)

Cor · Aug 30, 2003

What server, yours?

Cor · Aug 30, 2003

It is saterday Herfried, you know it wein und weinbrand :-)

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP] · Aug 30, 2003

Hello,

Fergus Cooney said:
Cheerzzz, Herfried, ZZzzzz, ZZzzzz

I think I misinterpreted your posting.

;-)))

Regards,
Herfried K. Wagner

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP] · Aug 30, 2003

Hello,

Cor said:
What server, yours?

A webserver.

Regards,
Herfried K. Wagner

Fergus Cooney · Aug 30, 2003

Hi Herfried,

No, you're right - I'm sleep-newsgrouping!!. Lol.

Regards,
Fergus

Fergus Cooney · Aug 30, 2003

Howard Kaikow · Aug 30, 2003

See the Temporary Links at http://www.standards.com/index.html#Temporary.

Automating Excel from VB .NET

Fergus Cooney

Howard Kaikow

Howard Kaikow

Armin Zingler

Cor

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

Fergus Cooney

Fergus Cooney

Cor

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

Cor

Fergus Cooney

Cor

Cor

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]

Fergus Cooney

Fergus Cooney

Howard Kaikow