Copy a part of a text file without having the file visible

[Akshay07]

Hello all,

After spending some time searching in the Help and in the forum, I found out how to open an empty text file, write into it, save it and close it.

I would like now to do something a bit more complicated and I am a bit lost. I am not sure it is possible.

Here is what I would like to automatize (but I want this to be hidden from the user):

1/ Open an existing text file

2/ Paste some text (I don't have any choice here, I need to simulate a PASTE)

3/ Select a specific line and a number of columns (highlight them) and simulate CTRL+C

4/ Paste in another window

I can do that easily using the "Send" command when the window is active. But is it possible to achieve the same thing with the notepad window being hidden?

[james3mg]

I don't think it's possible, if you really, really have to simulate an actual copy and paste operation...I believe it has to be visible to use Send and Control functions.

For instance,

ControlHide("Untitled - Notepad", "", "[CLASSNN:Edit1]")
ControlSend("Untitled - Notepad", "", "[CLASSNN:Edit1]","^v")
sleep(1000)
ControlShow("Untitled - Notepad", "", "[CLASSNN:Edit1]")

doesn't work...or at least it didn't for me.

However, if you just need the data inserted where you want and copied out, and don't actually have to simulate a copy and paste (I know this isn't what you indicated) you can just use FileWrite, some string functions, and FileRead and more string functions to edit and read the file without ever opening Notepad at all...if you want help with this method, just say so

Edited December 23, 2009 by james3mg

[Authenticity]

You can take the window off screen and activate it and work as usual. The drawback is that the window has to be activated to receive accelerators via keyboard, I believe that sending it messages can overcome this limitation:

#include <Constants.au3>
#include <WinAPI.au3>
#include <WindowsConstants.au3>

Run("notepad.exe", "", @SW_HIDE)
WinWait("[CLASS:Notepad]")

$hWnd = WinGetHandle("[CLASS:Notepad]")

_WinAPI_SetWindowLong($hWnd, $GWL_EXSTYLE, BitOR(_WinAPI_GetWindowLong($hWnd, $GWL_EXSTYLE), $WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW))
WinMove($hWnd, "", -65536, -65536)
WinSetState($hWnd, "", @SW_SHOW)
WinActivate($hWnd)

ClipPut("Test 123")
ControlSend($hWnd, "", 0, "^v")
ConsoleWrite(ControlGetText($hWnd, "", "Edit1") & @CRLF)
WinMove($hWnd, "", 0, 0)

;~ WinClose($hWnd)

Edit: If the clipboard content is text only, you can send it using ClipGet() with flag 1 (keys are sent raw), thus the window doesn't have to be activated or visible. I don't think that highlighting is possible though.

Edited December 24, 2009 by Authenticity

[Mison]

I'm suggesting:

1. FileRead/ FileReadLine - read file content, select specific line (totally invisible to user)

2. FileWrite/ FileWriteLine - writing operation (totally invisible to user)

3. Send - paste copied material to another window

[Akshay07]

Actually, I just found out that it is possible to use the SEND command in a notepad, even though the state of this notepad is @SW_HIDE

I really did not think it was possible but today, I had a second thought so I gave it a try, and it works.