How do I programmatically launch IE to open a local .html file?

[Aaron T.]

I would like to create several image intensive webpages to act as help files for the user of my CVI application. A control in the corner of each panel in my uir is a question mark. When the user clicks the question mark I would like an existing .html file on the PC to be opened and displayed in Internet Explorer.

I have reviewed National Instruments "iedemo" sample program, but I wonder if I could accomplish my task without the use of ActiveX.

Thanks!

-Aaron

[Al_S]

The simplest way to do it is to run the system() or the LaunchExectuable() function to launch the browser to display the file.
E.g. (all one line):
LaunchExecutable ("C:\\Program Files\\Internet Explorer\\iexplore.exe d:\\My Documents\\help.html");

system() will wait for the browser to exit before continuing your program; LaunchExecutable() will launch the browser and continue your program (which may be better for a help system).

[Aaron T.]

Thank you Al S, that's exactly what I as looking for!

[frbaucop]

Be carrefull however because you may not know what the end user use as web
browser (gozilla, netscape...) so being so specific (I mean running µSoft
IE) may not be always a good idea.You can also use the SDK call
ShellExecute.
To get a working CVI sample project, reach page
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/philippe.baucour/download.html and look for "Launch
Explorer" in the SDK section.
Dowload, run and enjoy (I hope)

--
Philippe
Feel free to visit : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/philippe.baucour



"Aaron T." a écrit dans le message de
news:506500000008000000328A0000-1042324653000@exchange.ni.com...
> I would like to create several image intensive webpages to act as help
> files for the user of my CVI application. A control in the corner of
> each panel in my uir is
a question mark. When the user clicks the
> question mark I would like an existing .html file on the PC to be
> opened and displayed in Internet Explorer.
>
> I have reviewed National Instruments "iedemo" sample program, but I
> wonder if I could accomplish my task without the use of ActiveX.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Aaron

[Aaron T.]

Thanks for the additional details for us to consider. In my particular situation, developing software for data acquisition and machine control in a manufacturing plant, I essentially control the end user. I mean that I load the PC and place it in use on the shop floor without the possibility of software I didn't plan for being used.

Thanks for the insight though!