How to reference an application without opening it?

[dj143]

The attached vi is used to determine the currently installed version of Microsoft Word. I have used this in the past with built applications. This is placed in the calling vi’s initialization. However, just now, it opens the Word program. (Before it didn’t.) I don’t want to start Word initially because the report is not generated yet and also the user has the option of printing the report in Excel. The following are my questions:
Why am I now having this problem? I cannot think of anything different other than it’s on a different computer.
What can be done to prevent starting the Word program at the calling vi’s initialization?
What subject matter is this involved with?
Is there a document or tutorial on this issue?

I’m using LV 7.1 (with Application Builder), Win2000 and Microsoft Office 2003

[Evan]

I am not sure why it is showing up when you run it. I ran the code, on XP, and Word never opened. Unfortunetly, I can not shed any light on why one machine and not another, however I think I have a solution for you. One of Word's application class proerties is "Visible". Simply set it to false always, so you know it will not open up.

[JellyBeans]

I did run your VI and the word windows doesn't show up but i noticed that WINWORD.exe process is running even when VI stops.
I modified the VI (see attached), that should work for you. Using LV 7.1, WinXP and Word 2003.

Enjoy!
A Rafiq

[dj143]

Thank you for your response. The only thing I can think of that's different with this application is that I inadvertently installed Word after the application. (I'm grabbing straws.) Anyway, it work well now.