Button to go to desktop from form (1 Viewer)

[BBBryan]

Hi All,
I was trying from a button on my form that will go to and bring up the desktop. I want it so I can put this database on anyone's computer and the button will work.
I am using this and it works but only on my computer.
Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\Users\Bryan\Desktop\"

I also tried this
Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\Show Desktop.scf"
And
Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\WINDOWS\System\Show Desktop.scf"
Both gives Runtime error 490 cannot open specified file.

Thanks BBryan

 

[Encarta]

Try putting this code behind the button. Supposing the name of the button is cmdShowDesktop, then the code will be:

Private Sub cmdShowDesktop_Click()
Application.DoCmd.Minimise
End Sub

Thank you.

 

[Ari]

Or

Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\Users\" & environ("UserName") & \Desktop\"

 

[BBBryan]

Thanks for the help.
On this one I get an error method or member not found
Application.DoCmd.Minimise
It is blue on the .Minimise

Also on this one
Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\Users\" & environ("UserName") & \Desktop\"
I get an compile error syntax error
and it shows the whole line in blue

Not sure how to fix this. I
Thanks BBryan

 

[Gasman]

Probably should be

Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\Users\" & environ("UserName") & "\Desktop\"

as there are three separate strings to be combined

 

[namliam]

Try this
CreateObject("Shell.Application").MinimizeAll

 

[BBBryan]

Hi All, Thanks
this one again I get an run time error 490 cannot open specified file
Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\Users\" & environ("UserName") & "\Desktop\"

This one works
CreateObject("Shell.Application").MinimizeAll
But I really wanted to keep the database open and bring up the desktop Box on top of the open database just like it does with this one
Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\Users\Bryan\Desktop\"

Thanks BBryan

 

[Encarta]

Try this:

Application.Minimize

 

[Encarta]

I beleive that the "Application.Minimize" is the ideal solution. What if you are running the Database on a Computer whose user is not "Bryan"? The "Bryan" element in the code string will give errors.

So try the: Application.Minimize

 

[BBBryan]

Hi Encarta,
Thanks
I am using that one but it would still not be my first choice. If there was something like " & environ("UserName") & " that could retrieve the computor name that would work better for me. (And the " & environ("UserName") & " gave me an error see above). I want it so it is a pop-up window not minimize the database which this is doing.


Thanks BBryan

 

[namliam]

Cant you find the desktop in one of the environ settings?

        Dim i As Integer
        i = 1
         
        While Environ(i) <> Empty
             
            Debug.Print Environ(i)
             
            i = i + 1
             
        Wend

Or try running the explorer directly with something like:

shell("explorer.exe C:\Users\" & environ("UserName") & "\Desktop")

Just throwin idea's

 

[BBBryan]

Thanks All,
Sorry
I still can't get the desktop to pop-up.
This one shell("explorer.exe C:\Users\" & environ("UserName") & "\Desktop") put the documents Folder minimized on the task bar.

Not sure how to use the other code you sent... from my button.


Thanks BBryan

 

[namliam]

Just stick the code in a sub and run it... should display all the environ values in the debug window (press CTRL + T to bring it up)

Try looking up shell on the help, google is your friend
Minimized is the default, you can easily add vbNormalFocus to make it stick on top

shell("explorer.exe C:\Users\" & environ("UserName") & "\Desktop", vbNormalFocus)

 

[BBBryan]

Thanks Namliam,
I will read up on shell. I am not to familiar with it. It looks like it could be useful for me.


BBryan

 

[Gasman]

I just created a form with one button with the code below for the click event

Application.FollowHyperlink "C:\Users\" & Environ("UserName") & "\Desktop\"

and it works fine, in that it opens an explorer window to the folder.?

It does the same if I hard code my user name.

Open a command window and type in 'set' without the quotes

That will show all the variables in the system. One should be USERNAME, but the variables are not case sensitive.

HTH

 

[BBBryan]

Hi Gasman,
Thanks
I just tried it again. Still doesn't work.
I am on windows 8.1 if that matters.


Thanks BBryan

 

[Gasman]

I'm only on win 7 and Access 2003, but that is very strange.:banghead:

I am presuming you copied the code and pasted.?, that is what I did.

Did you check the variables with the cmd window?, though I cannot see username not being available?

 

[BBBryan]

Yes I copied and pasted it and I do see username.
Not sure why it is not working....

After looking on the internet for something else I just found this.
And It works.....
Application.FollowHyperlink Environ$("UserProfile") & "\Desktop\"

Thanks All for your help. (I will need it again)

Thanks BBryan

 

[Gasman]

I was going to suggest userprofile as that is more useful, as if you had xp, it would be c:\documents & settings\<username>, totally different from Vista, 7 & 8, but thought if one varialble would not work, another should not be any different.

What is different is the $ sign on the environ function.

I'd try that with the username variable and the original string and see if that works.?

The difference is asked here http://www.excelforum.com/excel-pro...en-environ-username-and-environ-username.html, but not answered.

Please do me a favour and try environ$ with username. I'd like to know what the result is.

I've just tested environ$ with username in my Access and O/S and it works as the other code did. Perhaps that is now an win 8 requiremnt? It would be good to find out. ;-)

 

[BBBryan]

I tried this
Application.FollowHyperlink Environ$("BBryan") & "\Desktop\"
And This
Application.FollowHyperlink Environ$(BBryan) & "\Desktop\"

And it didn't work...

Thanks BBryan