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PATH for Project Help File?

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Alastair Cameron

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Sep 16, 1997, 3:00:00 AM9/16/97
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Hi.

I have developed an Excel 97 application, and have developed a
corresponding help (.HLP) system which features context-sensitive help.

While in the VBA editor inside Excel, I can associate a Help file by
going in to Project Properties.

However, the spreadsheet will be given to other people, who may install
it on a network share, secondary hard disk, etc.

I can not specify a hard-coded path in the Project Properties box,
because I do not know that it will always be (say) C:\MYAPP\MYAPP.HLP.

So what do I do?

I've tried putting the spreadsheet on a different PC, and when the user
tries to get Whats-This-Style help, the dialog appears asking for the
user to locate the Help file.

Any ideas?

-Alastair

Bill Manville

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Sep 17, 1997, 3:00:00 AM9/17/97
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On Tue, 16 Sep 1997 17:00:05 +0100, Alastair Cameron
<ALASTAIR...@BBSRC.AC.UK> wrote:

>Hi.
>
>I have developed an Excel 97 application, and have developed a
>corresponding help (.HLP) system which features context-sensitive help.
>
>While in the VBA editor inside Excel, I can associate a Help file by
>going in to Project Properties.
>
>However, the spreadsheet will be given to other people, who may install
>it on a network share, secondary hard disk, etc.
>
>I can not specify a hard-coded path in the Project Properties box,
>because I do not know that it will always be (say) C:\MYAPP\MYAPP.HLP.
>
>So what do I do?
>

I would put the help file in the same directory as the workbook that
uses it. Then the help file is
ThisWorkbook.Path & "\MYAPP.HLP"


Bill Manville
Oxford, England
Microsoft Excel - MVP

Alastair Cameron

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Sep 17, 1997, 3:00:00 AM9/17/97
to

Bill I'm a little confused.

As you say, we are shipping the .HLP in the same directory as the .XLS.
I have code in the Workbook open to check for the existence of the help
file (IF THISWORKBOOK.PATH & APPLICATION.PATHEPARATOR & "MYAPP.HLP) and
so am familiar with ThisWorkbook.Path method.

Are you saying that in Project Properties, Help File text box in the VBA
editor, I can actually type in

ThisWorkbook.Path & "\MYAPP.HLP"

And it will evaluate it at runtime so that users installing the
.XLS/.HLP into whatever directory will not have the problem mentioned in
my original mail.

Apologies for the confusion.

-Alastair

Bill Manville

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Sep 17, 1997, 3:00:00 AM9/17/97
to

I'm the one who was confused. Didn't realise you were talking about
the help file in the Project Properties box.

How about (untested)

Thisworkbook.VBProject.HelpFile = ThisWorkbook.Path & "\MYAPP.HLP"

in your workbook_open?

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