DDE Help?

[FSM]

Hi All,

Thanks for the help. We have now solved this issue using TCP.

Thanks again,
Anna

[richjoh]

I"m using LV 8.2, I don't see these DDE open/close VIs, are they part of some module??? How did you solve your problem using TCP VIs?

[Wayne.C]

richjoh,

See here for more info on DDE library and how to use it.  http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/F6ADCCC074A5150586256930007362B5

I don't recomend DDE for new applications. 

[richjoh]

I have an app that uses DDE to link to Excel or Word. Now if I use Active X, LV 8.2, I can use a container or automation open Excel to run...my process.

I really want to NOT use any MS Excel or Word and link directly to the DDE software? I don't see a Library Type for my app whenever I try to setup an Automation Open. My DDE app, the server, is an exe

[David_B]

I'm just a little confused.

Are you trying to use DDE to link to Excel and Word or are you trying to replace an old application that used DDE with a newer application that will use ActiveX?  Or something else entirely?

Can you provide some additional information on exactly what you are trying to accomplish?

Thanks,

[richjoh]

I'm using Brooks Smart DDE software to control there mass flow control, see the attached doc. The doc references using Labview for integration, but now that the DDE VI are depreciated am I to use Active X to read Excel data?

[Dennis_Knutson]

The dde functions are still available in vi.lib\platform\dde.llb.

If you want to read/write native Excel, then ActiveX is the best way to go but I don't see what that has to do with your Brooks software unless they now have an ActiveX version instead of dde.

[Wayne.C]

richjoh,

Since the Brooks software has the DDE server built in, then using the LV DDE is the obvious choice.  As Dennis mentioned, if Brooks had an ActiveX version of software, that would be a better solution.

Another solution would be to write your own software that communicates with the MFC's and uses ActiveX to transfer data to Word/Excel.

[richjoh]

Guys thanks for the response,

I'll go back to DDE VI. What doesn't make sense is for NI to recommend using Active X in place of DDE VIs. DDE is insecure but like you mentioned I already have Brooks software using DDE.

best regards,

richjoh

[Dennis_Knutson]

What doesn't make sense? DDE hasn't been supported by Microsoft for a long time. If a program supports it, ActiveX is more robust and flexible. What confused the whole issue was your mentioning Excel. Any old programs that used DDE to connect to a program such as Excel would be better rewritten.