Copy selection in active IE window

A couple of weeks ago I was asking about using a vbs file to copy the =
selection in the active window, whatever application the window happened =
to be. That was a tough one. I couldn't get any of the suggested =
scripts to work. =20

But here is maybe a simpler question. Could a vbs file copy the =
selection in an active IE window? This is only for IE.=20

Now I know this is possible with a script located in the source code of =
an htm file and run it via a button installed in the IE shortcut menu. =
I have a few htm files like that. But what I'd like is to do here is do =
this this from a regular vbs file that I run using a Winkey combination. =


Larry

McKirahan
Fri Sep 15 21:34:46 CDT 2006

"Larry" <larry328NOSPAM@att.net> wrote in message
news:uOIj3dS2GHA.4484@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

A couple of weeks ago I was asking about using a vbs file to copy the
selection in the active window, whatever application the window happened to
be. That was a tough one. I couldn't get any of the suggested scripts to
work.

But here is maybe a simpler question. Could a vbs file copy the selection
in an active IE window? This is only for IE.

Now I know this is possible with a script located in the source code of an
htm file and run it via a button installed in the IE shortcut menu. I have
a few htm files like that. But what I'd like is to do here is do this this
from a regular vbs file that I run using a Winkey combination.

If by "select" you mean just "highlighted"
(as opposed to copied to the clipboard)
then How would it know which open
application to copy from?

I posted a solution if the text was
"selected" by a "copy" to the clipboard.

mayayana
Fri Sep 15 22:01:41 CDT 2006

You can either use a 3rd-party component to
get the window, or use Shell.Application
Windows collection. The Windows collection
returns only Explorer and IE windows, so if you
know the title or location you can pick your
instance out of the others.
The nice thing about the Windows collection
is that it returns IE objects (for both IE instances
and folder windows).

It sounds like you may not need actual code
for the copy, but just in case - the following
is snipped from a larger project. "doc" refers
to the IE.document, which of course would need to
be referenced before calling these functions.

Sub Copy()
Dim TRSel, iSelType
On Error Resume Next
iSelType = IfSelection()
Select Case iSelType
Case 0
Exit Sub
Case 1
Set TRSel = Doc.selection.createRange
sClip = TRSel.htmlText
Set TRSel = Nothing
Case 2
Set TRSel = Doc.selection.createRange
sClip = TRSel.htmlText
Set TRSel = Nothing
End Select
End Sub

'------------------------- check whether there is any
selection. -------------
Function IfSelection()
Dim TRSel, LRet
'-- 0-none. 1-text. 2-picture, font.
On Error Resume Next
IfSelection = 0
If Not CurSelObject Is Nothing Then
IfSelection = 2
Else
If (Doc.selection.Type = "Text") Then
Set TRSel = Doc.selection.createRange
LRet = TRSel.compareEndPoints("StartToEnd", TRSel)
If (LRet <> 0) Then
If (Len(TRSel.Text) > 0) Then IfSelection = 1 '--text
selected.
End If
Set TRSel = Nothing
End If
End If
End Function

The function IfSelection is not really necessary.
It's just a convenience to tell whether you have
text, an object, or nothing selected.
-----------

The following is a sample script that lists open folder/IE
windows:

'--------------------LIST FOLDER WINDOWS OPEN-------------------------------
Dim shl, wins, i, s, sl, stotal
Set shl = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
set wins = shl.windows

for i = 0 to wins.count - 1
s = wins.item(i).LocationURL
sl = wins.item(i).left
if sl > 2900 then '--minmized window returns 3000 in Win9x, 32000
in WinNT.
s = s & " - " & "Minimized" & vbcrlf
Else
s = s & " - Left: " & sl & " Top: " & wins.item(i).top & vbcrlf
end if
s = right(s, len(s) - 8) '--strip off the "File:///" from path name.
s = Replace(s, "%20", " ", 1, -1, 0) '--get rid of IE space code: %20.
stotal = stotal & s
next

msgbox s
---------------------------------------
Run the above script to get a list of open folders and
IE instances.

s will return the location/path of the IE/folder instance,
along with it's onscreen position and whether it's
minimized. Those are just sample info. You can get
any IE object property.

Something like this should get you the document object:

Set doc = wins.item(i).document

So, putting it all together: you enumerate the open
windows, find your instance of IE, get the document
object for that, then call the Copy sub.

------------------
A couple of weeks ago I was asking about using a vbs file to copy the
selection in the active window, whatever application the window happened to
be. That was a tough one. I couldn't get any of the suggested scripts to
work.

But here is maybe a simpler question. Could a vbs file copy the selection
in an active IE window? This is only for IE.

Now I know this is possible with a script located in the source code of an
htm file and run it via a button installed in the IE shortcut menu. I have
a few htm files like that. But what I'd like is to do here is do this this
from a regular vbs file that I run using a Winkey combination.

Larry

Fosco
Sat Sep 16 01:03:30 CDT 2006

"Larry"

I have just posted this in an oth er NG .. check it out :

x = TextFromHTML("http://"& _
"www.televideo.rai.it/televideo/pub/archiviopagine.jsp")
'WScript.Echo x
Function TextFromHTML(URL)
set ie = createobject("InternetExplorer.Application")
ie.navigate URL
do until ie.readystate = 4 : wscript.sleep 10: loop
TextFromHTML = ie.document.body.innerText
ie.quit
End Function
filename = "Televideo.txt"
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set newf = fso.createtextfile(filename)
newf.WriteLine x

set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

while not FSO.FileExists("Televideo.txt")
WScript.Sleep 100
Wend
oShell.run"Televideo.txt"

' same as above but parsed


' Avevo un po' di tempo e curiosita' di provare 'na cosa :
' siccome NON so se la pagina e statica o no per affinare
' diminuire o aumentare >> For i = 0 To 41


x = TextFromHTML("http://"& _
"www.televideo.rai.it/televideo/pub/solotesto.jsp")
'WScript.Echo x
'x = TextFromHTML("C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\Rai televideo\Rai_it - Televideo.htm")
'WScript.Echo x

Function TextFromHTML(URL)
set ie = createobject("InternetExplorer.Application")
ie.navigate URL
do until ie.readystate = 4 : wscript.sleep 10: loop
TextFromHTML = ie.document.body.innerText
ie.quit
End Function
filename = "Televideo.txt"
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set newf = fso.createtextfile(filename)
newf.WriteLine x

set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")


Msgbox SkipLineInFile
Function SkipLineInFile
Const ForReading = 1, ForWriting = 2
Dim fso, f
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
' Set f = fso.OpenTextFile("c:\testfile.txt", ForWriting, True)
' f.Write "UNO" & vbCrLf & "DUE"& vbCrLf & "TRE" & vbCrLf &"Ciao"
Set f = fso.OpenTextFile("Televideo.txt", ForReading)
For i = 0 To 41
f.SkipLine
Next
SkipLineInFile = f.ReadAll
End Function

filename = "Televideo2.txt"
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set newf = fso.createtextfile(filename)
newf.WriteLine SkipLineInFile

while not FSO.FileExists("Televideo2.txt")
WScript.Sleep 100
Wend
oShell.run"Televideo2.txt"

--
Fosco

Fosco
Sat Sep 16 01:07:09 CDT 2006

"Fosco" <fake@fake.invalid>
> "Larry"

' wordwrap bug


x = TextFromHTML("http://"& _
"www.televideo.rai.it/televideo/pub/solotesto.jsp")
'WScript.Echo x

Function TextFromHTML(URL)
set ie = createobject("InternetExplorer.Application")
ie.navigate URL
do until ie.readystate = 4 : wscript.sleep 10: loop
TextFromHTML = ie.document.body.innerText
ie.quit
End Function
filename = "Televideo.txt"
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set newf = fso.createtextfile(filename)
newf.WriteLine x

set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")


Msgbox SkipLineInFile
Function SkipLineInFile
Const ForReading = 1, ForWriting = 2
Dim fso, f
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
' Set f = fso.OpenTextFile("c:\testfile.txt", ForWriting, True)
' f.Write "UNO" & vbCrLf & "DUE"& vbCrLf & "TRE" & vbCrLf &"Ciao"
Set f = fso.OpenTextFile("Televideo.txt", ForReading)
For i = 0 To 41
f.SkipLine
Next
SkipLineInFile = f.ReadAll
End Function

filename = "Televideo2.txt"
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set newf = fso.createtextfile(filename)
newf.WriteLine SkipLineInFile

while not FSO.FileExists("Televideo2.txt")
WScript.Sleep 100
Wend
oShell.run"Televideo2.txt"

--
Fosco

Fosco
Sat Sep 16 01:10:37 CDT 2006

"Larry"
>That was a tough one. I couldn't get any of the suggested scripts to work.

The sample in au3 with HotKeyset was fine ... I suspect you
use the OLD autoitV2 version

this is the NEW autoit3 :

http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/files/beta/autoit/

http://www.hiddensoft.com/autoit3/

--
Fosco

Larry
Sat Sep 16 02:42:08 CDT 2006

No, I have AutoIt version 3 and have created a few simple AutoIt files. =


But I couldn't make sense out of the instructions. I don't know the =
technical language well enough. =20


"Fosco" <fake@fake.invalid> wrote in message =
news:yzMOg.4400$K8.4045@news.edisontel.com...
> "Larry"
> >That was a tough one. I couldn't get any of the suggested scripts to =
work.
>=20
> The sample in au3 with HotKeyset was fine ... I suspect you
> use the OLD autoitV2 version
>=20
> this is the NEW autoit3 :
>=20
> http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/files/beta/autoit/
>=20
> http://www.hiddensoft.com/autoit3/
>=20
> --
> Fosco
>=20
>

Larry
Sat Sep 16 02:39:16 CDT 2006



> If by "select" you mean just "highlighted"
> (as opposed to copied to the clipboard)
> then How would it know which open
> application to copy from?
>=20
> I posted a solution if the text was
> "selected" by a "copy" to the clipboard.


I'm using "selected" in same sense that it's always used--highlighted. =
I've never heard of anyone, until you, using the word "selected" to mean =
"copied to the Clipboard." =20

Also, I would be running the vbs (with Winkey) when the IE window with =
the selected text is already the active window, so the window does not =
have to be found or anything. =20


"McKirahan" <News@McKirahan.com> wrote in message =
news:v_CdnWOyjpZb_5bYnZ2dnUVZ_vydnZ2d@comcast.com...
> "Larry" <larry328NOSPAM@att.net> wrote in message
> news:uOIj3dS2GHA.4484@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>=20
> A couple of weeks ago I was asking about using a vbs file to copy the
> selection in the active window, whatever application the window =
happened to
> be. That was a tough one. I couldn't get any of the suggested =
scripts to
> work.
>=20
> But here is maybe a simpler question. Could a vbs file copy the =
selection
> in an active IE window? This is only for IE.
>=20
> Now I know this is possible with a script located in the source code =
of an
> htm file and run it via a button installed in the IE shortcut menu. I =
have
> a few htm files like that. But what I'd like is to do here is do this =
this
> from a regular vbs file that I run using a Winkey combination.
>=20
> If by "select" you mean just "highlighted"
> (as opposed to copied to the clipboard)
> then How would it know which open
> application to copy from?
>=20
> I posted a solution if the text was
> "selected" by a "copy" to the clipboard.
>=20
>

Fosco
Sat Sep 16 20:46:44 CDT 2006

"Larry"
>No, I have AutoIt version 3 and have created a few simple AutoIt files.
>But I couldn't make sense out of the instructions.
>I don't know the technical language well enough.


Try this again _:

Or "very basic"[1] the Windows default keys :

;[1] NOT all programs use Control+c & Control+v
; highlight the text press ESC to copy and F1 to paste

HotKeySet("{Esc}", "Copy")
HotKeySet("{F1}", "Paste")
While 1
Sleep(100)
WEnd

Func Copy()
send("^c")
EndFunc
Func Paste()
send("^v")
EndFunc

--
Fosco

Larry
Sun Sep 17 18:52:08 CDT 2006

Ok, I put this code in an AU3 file and it assigns those commands to =
those keys. But how do I turn off those assignments? I thought the idea =
was this would just happen once and then the key would return to its =
ordinary assingment.=20

Second, what I wanted was for a copy to occur automatically in the the =
active window when the script runs, but I think that's not possible. =20


"Fosco" <fake@fake.invalid> wrote in message =
news:8O1Pg.4563$K8.2791@news.edisontel.com...
> "Larry"
> >No, I have AutoIt version 3 and have created a few simple AutoIt =
files.
> >But I couldn't make sense out of the instructions.
> >I don't know the technical language well enough.
>=20
>=20
> Try this again _:
>=20
> Or "very basic"[1] the Windows default keys :
>=20
> ;[1] NOT all programs use Control+c & Control+v
> ; highlight the text press ESC to copy and F1 to paste
>=20
> HotKeySet("{Esc}", "Copy")
> HotKeySet("{F1}", "Paste")
> While 1
> Sleep(100)
> WEnd
>=20
> Func Copy()
> send("^c")
> EndFunc
> Func Paste()
> send("^v")
> EndFunc
>=20
> --
> Fosco
>=20
>=20
>=20
>

Larry
Sun Sep 17 19:12:18 CDT 2006

Got it--I had to close the AutoIt icon in the Tray.

This is an interesting capability which I may use some time. =20

Also, how would this code be set up so that the hot key only works once =
and then returns automatically to its normal assignment? The AutoIt =
Help mentioned unregistering hotkeys, but didn't say anything more about =
it. =20

But again, what I wanted was this. =20

I have a vbs file and a Word Macro that counts the number of words in =
the selection in whatever application I am in. It works like this. I'm =
in, say, Internet Explorer, and I select some text, and I manually copy =
the text (Ctrl+C), then I run a Winkey combo which runs a vbs file which =
activates Word, creates a new document, pastes the selection into the =
document, and runs a WordCount macro I've created, closes the document, =
minimizes Word and displays a dialog box with the word count. It all =
works fine. And it's neat because Word does not even appear while this =
is happening, it remains minimized, all that you see is the message box =
with the word count displayed. =20

All I want, and it's such a small thing, is to automate the first step =
of copying the selection. So that after I select the text in the IE =
window (or wherever), I don't need to manually copy the selection. =
Instead I press the winkey combo that runs the vbs file, the first thing =
that the vbs file does is copy the selection to the clipboard so I don't =
have to do that step manually. =20




"Larry" <larry328NOSPAM@att.net> wrote in message =
news:%23DfLeSr2GHA.1040@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
Ok, I put this code in an AU3 file and it assigns those commands to =
those keys. But how do I turn off those assignments? I thought the idea =
was this would just happen once and then the key would return to its =
ordinary assingment.=20

Second, what I wanted was for a copy to occur automatically in the the =
active window when the script runs, but I think that's not possible. =20


"Fosco" <fake@fake.invalid> wrote in message =
news:8O1Pg.4563$K8.2791@news.edisontel.com...
> "Larry"
> >No, I have AutoIt version 3 and have created a few simple AutoIt =
files.
> >But I couldn't make sense out of the instructions.
> >I don't know the technical language well enough.
>=20
>=20
> Try this again _:
>=20
> Or "very basic"[1] the Windows default keys :
>=20
> ;[1] NOT all programs use Control+c & Control+v
> ; highlight the text press ESC to copy and F1 to paste
>=20
> HotKeySet("{Esc}", "Copy")
> HotKeySet("{F1}", "Paste")
> While 1
> Sleep(100)
> WEnd
>=20
> Func Copy()
> send("^c")
> EndFunc
> Func Paste()
> send("^v")
> EndFunc
>=20
> --
> Fosco
>=20
>=20
>=20
>

axtens
Sun Sep 17 21:47:28 CDT 2006

> Second, what I wanted was for a copy to occur automatically in the the active window when the script runs, but I think that's not possible.

Can't you get at the selection through the DOM?

Bruce

axtens
Sun Sep 17 21:50:44 CDT 2006

For example <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOM_Events>

Fosco
Sun Sep 17 22:33:01 CDT 2006

"axtens" <Bruce.Axtens@gmail.com>
> For example <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOM_Events>


WHY do you change subiect and nick name ?
It's NOT possible to follow your threads in this way

Go to autoit forums and search for word.au3
e/o copy e paste ALL this (also func) as WordcountTest.au3
and try it :


;#include <Word.au3>
$sString = "uno due"
;Msgbox(0,'',_Words("To be or not to be")

MsgBox(0,"", _Words( $sString ))
Exit


; Syntax: _Words( $sString )
; Parameter(s, i): $sString
; Return Value(s): Success - Returns number of words in a string
; Failure - Return '' and sets @error = 1

Func _Words($st)
If NOT IsString($st) Then
SetError(1)
Return ''
EndIf
Dim $b = 0,$c = 0,$Len = StringLen($st)
For $a = 1 To $Len
$ch = StringMid($st,$a,1)
If $ch <> ' ' AND $ch <> ' ' Then
If $b = 0 Then
$b = 1
$c = $c + 1
EndIf
Else
$b = 0
EndIf
Next
Return $c
EndFunc

;;;;;;;;;;
--
Fosco

Fosco
Sun Sep 17 22:48:23 CDT 2006

"axtens"
>All I want, and it's such a small thing, is to automate the first step of copying the >selection. So that after I
select the text in the IE window (or wherever), I don't need to >manually copy the selection. Instead I press the
winkey combo that runs the vbs file, the >first thing that the vbs file does is copy the selection to the clipboard so I
don't have to do >that step manually.

It is NOT possible with a VBS file without using sendkeys
and it's NOT a good practice
You have also the focus problem .. if you start a vbs file it's
a good thing to do, to avoid to send keys if you DON'T know
where it goes

--
Fosco

Larry
Sun Sep 17 23:16:20 CDT 2006

Ok.


"Fosco" <fake@fake.invalid> wrote in message =
news:aGoPg.4692$K8.3256@news.edisontel.com...
> "axtens"
> >All I want, and it's such a small thing, is to automate the first =
step of copying the >selection. So that after I
> select the text in the IE window (or wherever), I don't need to =
>manually copy the selection. Instead I press the
> winkey combo that runs the vbs file, the >first thing that the vbs =
file does is copy the selection to the clipboard so I
> don't have to do >that step manually.
>=20
> It is NOT possible with a VBS file without using sendkeys
> and it's NOT a good practice
> You have also the focus problem .. if you start a vbs file it's
> a good thing to do, to avoid to send keys if you DON'T know
> where it goes
>=20
> --
> Fosco
>=20
>=20
>

mayayana
Sun Sep 17 23:38:51 CDT 2006

>> Can't you get at the selection through the DOM?

> It is NOT possible with a VBS file without using sendkeys
> and it's NOT a good practice

It's not possible to use the DOM??

I posted the code to do exactly that 2 days ago.
The only limitation is that I don't think there's a
way to pick out the active window without an
extra component. But it's possible to get the
selection from any open instance of IE. If the
OP has access to the file name that would work.

Here's a simple example:

Create an HTML file like so, and name it test1.html

-------------------------

HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE></TITLE></HEAD>
<BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#000000">
this is some text ok here it is
</BODY></HTML>

--------------------------

Then create a VBS file like so:

------------

Dim shl, wins, i, s, sl, stotal, Doc1
Set shl = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
Set wins = shl.windows

For i = 0 to wins.count - 1
If InStr(1, wins.item(i).LocationURL, "Test1", 1) > 0 Then
Set Doc1 = wins.item(i).document
s = Copy(Doc1)
MsgBox s
Set Doc1 = Nothing
Exit For
End If
Next

Set wins = Nothing
Set shl = Nothing
WScript.quit

'---------------------
Function Copy(doc)
Dim TRSel, LRet
On Error Resume Next
Copy = ""
If (doc.selection.Type = "Text") Then
Set TRSel = doc.selection.createRange
LRet = TRSel.compareEndPoints("StartToEnd", TRSel)
If (LRet <> 0) Then
Copy = TRSel.htmlText
End If
Set TRSel = Nothing
End If
End Function

-----------------------

Now open the HTML file, select some text,
minimize the HTML file, and run the VBS file.

Fosco
Sun Sep 17 23:51:30 CDT 2006

"mayayana"
> > It is NOT possible with a VBS file without using sendkeys
> > and it's NOT a good practice
>
> It's not possible to use the DOM??

NO >>> It is NOT possible with a VBS file without using sendkeys
to copy highlighted text

--
Fosco

Fosco
Sun Sep 17 23:59:27 CDT 2006

"mayayana"
> Here's a simple example:
> Then create a VBS file like so:

> Dim shl, wins, i, s, sl, stotal, Doc1
> Set shl = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
> Set wins = shl.windows

Is your script all right ?
I have tried it and it gives error on line 3 (activex can not ..)

Win98se WSH 5.6

--
Fosco

mayayana
Mon Sep 18 07:45:45 CDT 2006



> > Dim shl, wins, i, s, sl, stotal, Doc1
> > Set shl = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
> > Set wins = shl.windows
>
> Is your script all right ?
> I have tried it and it gives error on line 3 (activex can not ..)
>
> Win98se WSH 5.6
>
I don't know what the trouble might be.
I also have Win98SE with WSH 5.6 and
I have no trouble getting the selected text
in a minimized, running instance of IE.

You shouldn't have any trouble creating the
Shell.Application object. It's been an integral
part of the system since Active Desktop.
And the Windows collection is a method of
that object.

From MSDN:

------------------------------------------------
Windows Method
Description

Creates and returns a ShellWindows object that represents a collection of
all of the open windows that belong to the shell.
-----------------------------------------------

Fosco
Mon Sep 18 19:59:06 CDT 2006

"Fosco"
> "mayayana"
> > Set wins = shl.windows

> I have tried it and it gives error on line 3 (activex can not ..)

Strange .. I have tried it off line and it works now.

--
Fosco

Fosco
Mon Sep 18 20:45:09 CDT 2006

"mayayana"
> You shouldn't have any trouble creating the
> Shell.Application object. It's been an integral
> part of the system since Active Desktop.

I have disabled Active Desktop .. I have the suspect it's by
IE protection settings, the script is fine if I am Offline but NOT
if I am Online.
I try just again lowering security settings :

No it's NOT working while I am OnLine
I suspect it's by a recent patch I have installed .. even on the
*.chm files there are warnigs

--
Fosco

mayayana
Mon Sep 18 22:55:52 CDT 2006



> the script is fine if I am Offline but NOT
> if I am Online

No, it shouldn't work from a webpage in the
"Internet Zone". Shell.Application provides a lot
of file system access. It's not "safe for scripting".

Fosco
Tue Sep 19 00:05:29 CDT 2006

"mayayana"
> > the script is fine if I am Offline but NOT
> > if I am Online
>
> No, it shouldn't work from a webpage in the
> "Internet Zone". Shell.Application provides a lot
> of file system access. It's not "safe for scripting".

OK .. when I have a bit of time I go through reading this :

http://www.google.it/search?hl=it&q=800A01AD%2BShell.Application&btnG=Cerca&meta=

snip : http://tinyurl.com/g6r6w

--
Fosco