PPT7: OLE Automation Error Using Open Method

   Private Sub Form_Load()
      Dim ppt As Object
      Dim pres As Object
      Set ppt = CreateObject("PowerPoint.application.7")
      Set pres = ppt.presentations.open("c:\windows\desktop\test.ppt")
   End Sub
				

RESOLUTION

Microsoft provides examples of Visual Basic procedures for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This Visual Basic procedure is provided 'as is' and Microsoft does not guarantee that it can be used in all situations. Microsoft does not support modifications of this procedure to suit customer requirements for a particular purpose.

To work around this problem, use the following steps to modify the macro:

1. Locate the "Set ppt" and the "Set pres" lines.
2. Position the insertion point after the "Set ppt" line, but before the "Set pres" line.
3. Add the following line in the macro:

   ppt.AppWindow.Visible = True

   The edited macro should resemble the following:

         Private Sub Form_Load()
            Dim ppt As Object
            Dim pres As Object
   
           Set ppt = CreateObject("PowerPoint.application.7")
           ppt.AppWindow.Visible = True
           Set pres = ppt.presentations.open("c:\windows\desktop\test.ppt")
         End Sub
   						

If you want PowerPoint to be essentially invisible, you can use the following command to minimizePowerPoint's application window before opening the presentation file: This line must come after the "ppt.AppWindow.Visible" command, otherwise the window will not be minimized. The code might look something like the following:

   Private Sub Form_Load()
      Dim ppt As Object
      Dim pres As Object

      Set ppt = CreateObject("PowerPoint.application.7")
      ppt.AppWindow.Visible = True
      ppt.AppWindow.Windowstate = ppWindowMinimized
      Set pres = ppt.presentations.open("c:\windows\desktop\test.ppt")

   End Sub