How do I open a file and the close it?

[drybsmt]

I have three Excel files that contain data that is drawn from other files.  Every week I need to open the file so they update and then close the files after a few seconds.  I am new to MMM and could use some guidance please.  It would also be nice if the macro could run automatically at a specified time without user intervention.  I have the MMM Pro if that makes a difference.

[Steve]

Hi,

The macro example opens three excel files, waits 10 seconds, then closes all excel windows open.

1 | RUN ACTION | RUN PROGRAM | D:\Macro\OUTPUT\workbook1.xlsx
2 | RUN ACTION | RUN PROGRAM | D:\Macro\OUTPUT\workbook2.xlsx
3 | RUN ACTION | RUN PROGRAM | D:\Macro\OUTPUT\workbook3.xlsx
4 | RUN ACTION | WAIT SECONDS | 10
5 | RUN ACTION | KILL PROCESS NAME | excel
Is this what you are after?

To schedule a macro to run at a time check out the FAQ link here (FAQ - Schedule a macro). For this to work you will need to save the macro using the 'save' macro button as a .mmmacro file.

[drybsmt]

Thanks Steve,

I am working on just one file to open right now to get it working and adjusted to allow for a couple of popups and adjusted script like this:

1 | RUN ACTION | RUN PROGRAM | D:\Dropbox (DRYBSMT)\~Employee Information\Payroll Archive\2018 Archive\Annual Totals and Stat Calculation.xlsx
2 | RUN ACTION | WAIT SECONDS | 5
3 | 1476 | 615 | 1641 | Keypress enter
4 | RUN ACTION | WAIT SECONDS | 2
5 | 1476 | 615 | 1641 | Keypress enter
6 | RUN ACTION | WAIT SECONDS | 10
7 | RUN ACTION | KILL PROCESS NAME | excel

The file opens and popups are dealt with but excel does not close. Thoughts?

[Steve]

The '5 | RUN ACTION | KILL PROCESS NAME | excel' should be killing the process. Not sure why this is not working for you.

There are alternatives:
7 | RUN ACTION | RUN VIA CMD /C | taskkill /F /IM excel.exe
- Run taskkill and manually force the process closed.

7 | X | X | 500 | Keypress ALT+ | F4
- ALT+F4 to kill the selected window

[drybsmt]

These both work but I think the advantage to the first one is that I can open all three and then shut it down whereas I think the Alt F4 would have to be done before opening the next file.

The only foreseeable issue would be if I had other workbooks open when the macro runs. So maybe I will use the Alt F4 option.

Thanks for the help Steve.