Shellexecute with variable in document name

[RogerRabbitsClone 0]

hello again autoiters.

ok, what im trying to make this do is read the clipboard, (it will always be reading a number) and insert that number into the name of the file im trying to open with shellexecute.

$numbercheck = ClipGet ()
$templatedir = "\\Bserver\dtp\AA - Use this for sample\UC BUS CARD\"
ShellExecute("BC - UCB - $numbercheck.indd", "", $templateDir, "edit")

the files are called

BC - UCB - 1.indd

BC - UCB - 2.indd etc, up to 10

it didnt say anything about this in the online docs, is this possible?

[Skruge 2]

A few ways to do this would be with the ExpandVarStrings option, concatenation (&), or StringFormat.

Check those out and post back if you get stuck.

[PsaltyDS 29]

You just didn't assemble the string correctly. The variable needs to be outside the quotes:

"BC - UCB - " & $numbercheck & ".indd"

[RogerRabbitsClone 0]

psaltyDS, your a frikkin genius. but its still not working. i double checked the location and the formating of the file name (where the spaces are).

can shellexecute open InDesign files?

can shellexecute open from a local server?

this is the error message i get

"Windows cannot find 'BC - UCB - 6.indd'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search."

nevermind, im a moron. i was using this:

ShellExecute("BC - UCB - " & $numbercheck & ".indd")

instead of this:

ShellExecute("BC - UCB - " & $numbercheck & ".indd", "", $templatedir)

thanks guys

Edited June 23, 2010 by RogerRabbitsClone

[GEOSoft 64]

It's looking in the script folder for the files. Is that where they are located? If not you need the full path to the file in ShellExecute()

[l3ill 69]

Additional Tip:

you may have to execute your indd files like this:

Local $indd = ("path To Indd file") 
ShellExecute('Indesign.exe', $indd)

basically opening indesign first and the opening the file you want.

I had this problem with PDF files...

Edited June 24, 2010 by billo

[GEOSoft 64]

Additional Tip:

you may have to execute your indd files like this:

Local $indd = ("path To Indd file") 
ShellExecute('Indesign.exe', $indd)

basically opening indesign first and the opening the file you want.

I had this problem with PDF files...

That happens when there is no file association created for a file type.

[RogerRabbitsClone 0]

actually i did get it to work

ShellExecute("BC - UCB - " & $numbercheck & ".indd", "", $templatedir)