Rough Notes, and posts to be referenced from elsewhere, on VBA Windows API

**DocAElstein** · 09-16-2015, 03:25 PM

Rough Notes on VBA Windows API Introduction Part 1

If, for now we restrict ourselves, to the subject area of Excel VBA Windows API, we can consider us to be talking most often about another, and/or similar to other ways, ( such as the so called External shared libraries ), to control or communicate with things outside of Excel, or even sometimes in Excel.
More broadly speaking we are controlling or communicating with windows. (An existing window is often seen as based on a Class, and we are messing with the window/ manipulating the window, so what we are doing may sometimes be regarded as Sub Classing)

Manipulating "Windows”.
It would appear initially that the word “Windows” is a name for a programming idea which might result in something we “see” as what we conceive as Windows. But, a window is a vague concept. It includes what we see as windows and other things.
Manipulating of the actual “Windows” seems the key to pseudo “making my own” Class or of a API Function or a Window thing from it
Doing this in any language is a task for a computer genius, and in Visual Basic, (In particular Visual Basic for Applications), the documentation is very sparse. But “ API User 32 dll Programs” would appear to make this possible.
It would appear that direct linked libraries (dll) are available to run as and when required, hence the wording of direct link: They are used as an efficient means to organise Microsoft’s software generally allowing different Applications to share smaller programs which are shipped as standard with the Microsoft Windows Operating system. They are however also available to programmers, programming the applications. Hence Application Programming Interface
There are some similarities between a .dll file and a .exe file. The main difference is that we usually need to organise how and when it is used in Windows, hence I say Manipulating "Windows"

API , “API Calls”
Such things get bundled up in an imprecise intimidating term API, for Application Programming Interface. They are usually contained in a Folder with a name similar to User 32.
Another seemingly intimidating phrase is “API call”. You may hear the term “I am using API calls”. It just means usually that you are using those things and related “Windows” concept
I have been told by some professionals that in actual fact these Library programs are organised in a similar way to the Libraries that one can pseudo Import by “checking a reference” in the list of available to VBA code libraries. However by some subtlety that they are not sure about they cannot be used in a code in the way of through declaring ( Dim ing ) them and then after assigning a variable using that variable to “get at” the various Methods / Functions inside them. Perhaps they are slightly more run time things, even though I have heard that the other Libraries are as well. Perhaps it can depend on the exact thing.
When we are involved with VBA, it is difficult sometimes perhaps to distinguish between an end user and a professional programmer. The so called External shared libraries may be regarded as for the end user, whereas the API things could be regarded as intended for a programmer.
In place of the normal declaring ( Dim ing ) that would be within a routine, in the case of the Library programs being used here, you must do a sort of initial globial type Declaration.

Declareing Declare Type Functions
You don’t always need the AliAs bit in these things. ( It just means _ this Lib "user32" _ Ali As ¬_ “that” _ (that is the Microsoft name , this is any name that I choose to use) ). Occasionally something can only be done to the AliAs where numbers and variable used to refer to things are concerned. It is subtle general point in computing that you might get problems when a number is used to refer to something that might take or give a number at some point. But you might need to do that, so having an intermediate word is a workaround for that so that the number is set to a word which is then related to a word that might be being referred to or returning a number.
Function = Word
Word = 873248
So the Function can be referred to by a number indirectly, --- occasionally this may not be possible directly, --- Function =837547 might error for subtle computer reasons.
It seems to do no harm to use an AliAs when you don’t need it and it helps to make a code prettier.

Once Declared you can think of them to a first approximation as a function written in a code module in the Folder on your computer with the name something like “User32” or “User32dll” or similar. You then use them to a very crude approximation as you would any conventional function that you may have made and which is typically in a VBA code module, like pseudo
_ x = SetWindowsHookExample( 3 , y , _..__…… etc )
x would need to be a variable declared at the top of the module I think, as would possibly be some of the signature line arguments in the Function, but note those arguments could also be a pseudo function, - pseudo as the address/ location of the function is given. (That function may, for example, be set off by something going on in a window at some point). The possibilities and construction of the signature line in a API Declare Function line are not as simply defined as in a standard VBA Function

For use in a normal code you can use Private or Pubic. As in convectional VBA Functions Pubic will not confine the use of the function to the macro module in which it is in.
For a class code module, such as a worksheet code module ( To get there, right click the worksheet's tab and select View Code ), these Declare type functions must be Private

Owned “Windows”, and/ or z order.
It is well above my knowledge to explain all concepts here, and as noted some things will have to be read as “on the tin” or in other words its faecile value.
A Pop up is apparently always the one on top of to be seen ( “above on the screen “z axis” “ , - as a approximation the z axis is in the direction looking at it ) of the Window to which they belong and they always “belong”” to a parent window… well maybe something is not quite clear there…
It is not always clear what “z option” does what, and even professionals sometimes seem to choose it from trial and error .
But anyway these are two things that will need to be taken into the equation… or rather the “API calls” that we do..

Hooking a “Window” to Handle it ..Computer Bollox terminology.
I have needed to get some terms undefined correctly. Words like Handle and Hook are computer terms similar to the word Bollox in normal language and can be used alone or in conjunction with other words to have some meaning possibly in the context in which they are used but cannot have any precise meaning. Defining them as some computer bollox to do with handling and identifying Windows is a useful way to understand these terms.
Some handle bollox will need to be taken into the equation… or rather the “API calls” that I do..
Some published literature even supports my somewhat naive and critical resume, saying the words can mean a number of things. In our case the handle can be thought a number identifying a Window. A Hook can be thought of as hook or trip trap placed in some run or chain of events cause shuddering or jerking off of a procedure.

Handleing
When doing VBA Windows API coding, a "handle" seems to play a major role. It is an identification number / address/ pointer , or similar, which is required in much coding, as one might reasonably expect, in order that a coding knows which window or windows that we want to manipulate. One problem/s is that, although a window may have some known fixed name, this number is more often what is required in coding, and those numbers are not fixed, but rather are somehow generated and given each time to a software when it us running so that that software can access the windows, without us knowing any specific memory location/ address of things. Possibly that is done to make it more difficult to hack things . We are not privy to exactly how the numbers are generated, so we can consider them as random. ( Not all possible numbers are used, so it is possible that the same number is re used, but it is random chance if it is).
To make things worse,
_ getting the number seems to be not always reliable, and not all things that should do work.
_ to get at most windows would require some sort of navigating of an explorer tree like structure.
There are several API functions, that is to say Declareation Functions available to get the handle, and one or more may need to be used for a particular coding situation.
So getting the handle/ using handle related Declareation Functions can be a good start point when learning VBA Windows

**DocAElstein** · 02-07-2018, 03:49 PM

Dumping Logs for support of this Thread Post:
http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showth...0476#post10476

Test Function used to produce the Log below

Code:

'Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc - Copy number_GlobinalCntChopsLog - a few copies of this are made and run. (Recursion)
'_-=Rem 4===================??? Got me hook lochprocedue in my code ,                5 times simple run then  another + 29 new copies of it are run  = 5+30=35 times  in total                     calling it it a few times  http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/1324-Loop-Through-Files-In-A-Folder-Using-VBA#post10421   .... wanking myself up and down a few times
Private Function HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc(ByVal lMsg As Long, ByVal wParam As Long, ByVal lParam As Long) As Long   '                                   ByVal CopyNumberFroNxtLvl As Long) As Long
                            Let GlobinalCntChopsLog = GlobinalCntChopsLog + 1: Debug.Print " Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc"; GlobinalCntChopsLog; "(1Msg"; lMsg; ", wParam"; wParam; ", lParam"; lParam; ") Function Copy Number_"; GlobinalCntChopsLog
                            'If GlobinalCntChopsLog = 2 Then Let GlobinalCntChopsLog = GlobinalCntChopsLog - 1: UnHookWindowsHookCodEx hHookTrapCrapNumber: Exit Function
    If lMsg = 5 Then '_-.... ( Hook type: HCBT_ACTIVATE = 5 but not here?) ... this runs a further 29 copies of HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrap all coming here, so 30 times in total
                            Debug.Print "Expose Interface"; Tab(30); GlobinalCntChopsLog
     SetWindowPosition wParam, 0, poX, pussY, 400, 150, 40 '             SWP_NOZORDER is 4 ..  but not here?? 'SWP_NOSIZE + SWP_NOZORDER ' Pull the Chainge position ...
     UnHookWindowsHookCodEx hHookTrapCrapNumber         ' Release the Hook 30 times this is done
    Else
                            Debug.Print "No InterOfCourse"; Tab(30); GlobinalCntChopsLog; Tab(50); hHookTrapCrapNumber
    End If ' 5 times here then '_-....
                            Debug.Print "Wipe chain WRap"; Tab(30); GlobinalCntChopsLog; Tab(50); hHookTrapCrapNumber
    Let HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc = 0 '  Done  5+30=35 times in total  '0 (or False) makes it work, all other numbers and I get no Message box
                            Let GlobinalCntChopsLog = GlobinalCntChopsLog - 1
End Function ' HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc

Code:

---------------------------
MutsNuts AkaApi working ApplicationPromptToRangeInputBox
---------------------------
Select Range
---------------------------
OK   
---------------------------

WndNumber 66770    HandleWndOfMyParent 983700    hWndDskTop 66204    hHookTrapCrapNumber
State of Much Such Penialtration's Number   HookCodeXcretion's
================== AliAs Pull of my chain   AliAs my long Hook
                                                                           0 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 1 (1Msg 3 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2353392 ) Function Copy Number_ 1 
No InterOfCourse              1                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               1                   276039693 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 1 (1Msg 3 , wParam 1377832 , lParam 2353500 ) Function Copy Number_ 1 
No InterOfCourse              1                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               1                   276039693 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 1 (1Msg 3 , wParam 3934358 , lParam 2353500 ) Function Copy Number_ 1 
No InterOfCourse              1                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               1                   276039693 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 1 (1Msg 3 , wParam 984706 , lParam 2353480 ) Function Copy Number_ 1 
No InterOfCourse              1                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               1                   276039693 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 1 (1Msg 9 , wParam 3934358 , lParam 66766 ) Function Copy Number_ 1 
No InterOfCourse              1                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               1                   276039693 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 1 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2353812 ) Function Copy Number_ 1 
Expose Interface              1 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 2 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2353500 ) Function Copy Number_ 2 
Expose Interface              2 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 3 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2353188 ) Function Copy Number_ 3 
Expose Interface              3 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 4 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2352876 ) Function Copy Number_ 4 
Expose Interface              4 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 5 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2352564 ) Function Copy Number_ 5 
Expose Interface              5 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 6 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2352252 ) Function Copy Number_ 6 
Expose Interface              6 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 7 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2351940 ) Function Copy Number_ 7 
Expose Interface              7 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 8 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2351628 ) Function Copy Number_ 8 
Expose Interface              8 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 9 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2351316 ) Function Copy Number_ 9 
Expose Interface              9 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 10 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2351004 ) Function Copy Number_ 10 
Expose Interface              10 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 11 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2350692 ) Function Copy Number_ 11 
Expose Interface              11 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 12 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2350380 ) Function Copy Number_ 12 
Expose Interface              12 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 13 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2350068 ) Function Copy Number_ 13 
Expose Interface              13 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 14 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2349756 ) Function Copy Number_ 14 
Expose Interface              14 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 15 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2349444 ) Function Copy Number_ 15 
Expose Interface              15 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 16 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2349132 ) Function Copy Number_ 16 
Expose Interface              16 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 17 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2348820 ) Function Copy Number_ 17 
Expose Interface              17 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 18 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2348508 ) Function Copy Number_ 18 
Expose Interface              18 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 19 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2348196 ) Function Copy Number_ 19 
Expose Interface              19 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 20 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2347884 ) Function Copy Number_ 20 
Expose Interface              20 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 21 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2347572 ) Function Copy Number_ 21 
Expose Interface              21 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 22 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2347260 ) Function Copy Number_ 22 
Expose Interface              22 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 23 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2346948 ) Function Copy Number_ 23 
Expose Interface              23 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 24 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2346636 ) Function Copy Number_ 24 
Expose Interface              24 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 25 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2346324 ) Function Copy Number_ 25 
Expose Interface              25 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 26 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2346012 ) Function Copy Number_ 26 
Expose Interface              26 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 27 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2345700 ) Function Copy Number_ 27 
Expose Interface              27 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 28 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2345388 ) Function Copy Number_ 28 
Expose Interface              28 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 29 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2345076 ) Function Copy Number_ 29 
Expose Interface              29 
 Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc 30 (1Msg 5 , wParam 2623104 , lParam 2344764 ) Function Copy Number_ 30 
Expose Interface              30 
Wipe chain WRap               30                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               29                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               28                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               27                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               26                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               25                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               24                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               23                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               22                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               21                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               20                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               19                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               18                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               17                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               16                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               15                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               14                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               13                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               12                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               11                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               10                  276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               9                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               8                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               7                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               6                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               5                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               4                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               3                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               2                   276039693 
Wipe chain WRap               1                   276039693

_-.__________________________________

Windows Handleing Info:

Code:

' 1b)        To hang in the Excel Window malking it effectively a Excel Msgbox... Normally if I did not do this  ... don't do this .. that is to say leave it at 0 , specifically no window is 0 , and it "hanging in mid air so isn't even if it is   imaginatively speaking
Public Declare Function FindWndNumber Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowA" (Optional ByVal lpClassName As String, Optional ByVal lpWindowName As String) As Long
Dim HandleWndOfMyParent As Long      ' I wanted to comment  this  1b)(i) and ( 1b(ii) later )   out to leave it hanging in mid air in a virtual  inadvirtual not thereness  ... but somehow this complicated hook stuff does hang it somwhere but not in my Excel Window                                                                                                            but I don't know what my parent's fart has to do with anything
' 1d)        For some Misc experiments
Private Declare Function FindWindowExtremeNutty Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowExA" (ByVal hWnd1 As Long, ByVal hWnd2 As Long, ByVal lpsz1 As String, ByVal lpsz2 As String) As Long
Dim WndNumber As Long, hWndDskTop As Long

Code:

Sub AkaApiApplicationPromptToRangeInputBox()  ' This one works.. but HTF
        ' 1b(ii)  This section is some how over written in / by the section part or some strange Addressing of HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrap
         Let WndNumber = FindWndNumber(lpClassName:=vbNullString, lpWindowName:=vbNullString)
         Let HandleWndOfMyParent = FindWndNumber(lpClassName:="XLMAIN", lpWindowName:=vbNullString) ' This is a case where vbNullstring is important - that signifies that I am not giving it, which i do not have to. The second option is a bit flaky and does not often work. it certainly won't work if you make it "" as that is a specific string of zero.  Null  is a special idea in computing of not set yet / not defined - that is required if I do not want to give it
        ' 1d) Just some experiments, I forgot why as my brain has goine comfortably numb
         Dim HeavyWindBreak As Long: Let HeavyWindBreak = HandleWndOfMyParent
         Let hWndDskTop = FindWindowExtremeNutty(HandleWndOfMyParent, 0&, "XLDESK", vbNullString)
                            Debug.Print "WndNumber"; WndNumber; "   HandleWndOfMyParent"; HandleWndOfMyParent; "   hWndDskTop"; hWndDskTop; "   hHookTrapCrapNumber"
Rem 3                                   Mess with me hook? God knows what this all does and it seems to make no difference if the proXYs poX or pussY are before or after SetWindowsHooksExample

**DocAElstein** · 02-08-2018, 12:53 AM

Per PM request: One full working example of above code:

Code:

Option Explicit
Rem 1 ' This I understand. it is a simple more basic version of the VBA Message Box Function                                       http://www.eileenslounge.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=28885#p223629
' 1a)          UnWRap it and..
Private Declare Function APIssinUserDLL_MsgBox Lib "user32" Alias "MessageBoxA" (Optional ByVal HowManyFartsCanYouHandle As Long, Optional ByVal Prompt As String, Optional ByVal Title As String, Optional ByVal buttons As Long) As Long '
' 1b)        To hang in the Excel Window malking it effectively a Excel Msgbox... Normally if I did not do this  ... don't do this .. that is to say leave it at 0 , specifically no window is 0 , and it "hanging in mid air so isn't even if it is   imaginatively speaking
Public Declare Function FindWndNumber Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowA" (Optional ByVal lpClassName As String, Optional ByVal lpWindowName As String) As Long
Dim HandleWndOfMyParent As Long      ' I wanted to comment  this  1b)(i) and ( 1b(ii) later )   out to leave it hanging in mid air in a virtual  inadvirtual not thereness  ... but somehow this complicated hook stuff does hang it somwhere but not in my Excel Window                                                                                                            but I don't know what my parent's fart has to do with anything
' 1d)        For some Misc experiments
Private Declare Function FindWindowExtremeNutty Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowExA" (ByVal hWnd1 As Long, ByVal hWnd2 As Long, ByVal lpsz1 As String, ByVal lpsz2 As String) As Long
Dim WndNumber As Long, hWndDskTop As Long
Dim Booloks As Boolean
'_-_._______________________________________________-
'_-=================??? main Declarations that I don't really understand
Rem 2 Position my box --- From here on I do not really have a clue
' 2(a)                                        This will tie something on the chain for when you pull it                                                                                                      https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms644990(v=vs.85).aspx
Private Declare Function SetWindowsHooksExample Lib "user32" Alias "SetWindowsHookExA" (ByVal Hooktype As Long, ByVal lokprocedureAddress As Long, Optional ByVal hmod As Long, Optional ByVal dwThreadId As Long) As Long
' 2(b)                                        Wipe the chain clean
Private Declare Function UnHookWindowsHookCodEx Lib "user32" Alias "UnhookWindowsHookEx" (ByVal hHookTrapCrapNumber As Long) As Long
' 2(c)                                        Don't loose the Thread? - This seems to have no effect , - maybe it would if something else was going on at the time. You don't want to loose the Thread I guess
'Public Declare Function GetCurrentThreadId Lib "kernel32" () As Long ' Effectively long Null acttuall not ?? -
Public Declare Function GetCurrentFredId Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetCurrentThreadId" () As Long ' Effectively long Null acttuall not ?? -
' 2(d)                                        This looks understandable almost, z(0 for top), posLeft, posTop, x pixels, y pixels,
Private Declare Function SetWindowPosition Lib "user32" Alias "SetWindowPos" (ByVal hWnd As Long, ByVal zNumber As Long, ByVal CoedX As Long, ByVal CoedY As Long, ByVal xPiXel As Long, ByVal yPiYel As Long, ByVal wFlags As Long) As Long
' 2e)
Private hHookTrapCrapNumber As Long                         ' Handle to the Hook procedure
' 2f)
Private poX As Long: Private pussY As Long    ' Positional By proXYs
                            Dim GlobinalCntChopsLog As Long   ' Only used in this test code to keep track of the copies of a Function(HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrap) used in a recursion process
' 2g) bits to do with 1 that i am resonably happy with
Sub AkaApiApplicationPromptToRangeInputBox()  ' This one works.. but HTF
        ' 1b(ii)  This section is some how over written in / by the section part or some strange Addressing of HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrap
         Let WndNumber = FindWndNumber(lpClassName:=vbNullString, lpWindowName:=vbNullString)
         Let HandleWndOfMyParent = FindWndNumber(lpClassName:="XLMAIN", lpWindowName:=vbNullString) ' This is a case where vbNullstring is important - that signifies that I am not giving it, which i do not have to. The second option is a bit flaky and does not often work. it certainly won't work if you make it "" as that is a specific string of zero.  Null  is a special idea in computing of not set yet / not defined - that is required if I do not want to give it
        ' 1d) Just some experiments, I forgot why as my brain has goine comfortably numb
         Dim HeavyWindBreak As Long: Let HeavyWindBreak = HandleWndOfMyParent
         Let hWndDskTop = FindWindowExtremeNutty(HandleWndOfMyParent, 0&, "XLDESK", vbNullString)
                            Debug.Print "WndNumber"; WndNumber; "   HandleWndOfMyParent"; HandleWndOfMyParent; "   hWndDskTop"; hWndDskTop; "   hHookTrapCrapNumber"
Rem 3                                   Mess with me hook? God knows what this all does and it seems to make no difference if the proXYs poX or pussY are before or after SetWindowsHooksExample
                            Debug.Print "State of Much Such"; Tab(20); "Penialtration's Number"; Tab(45); "HookCodeXcretion's"
                            Debug.Print "=================="; Tab(20); "AliAs Pull of my chain"; Tab(45); "AliAs my long Hook"
                            Let GlobinalCntChopsLog = 0:
'_-======================== Weird thing with an AddressOf ???
Let poX = 10: pussY = 50 ' These can go before or after the next line, makes no diffference.. -                                                    I bet no Pro noticed that...
'Let hHookTrapCrapNumber = SetWindowsHooksExample(5, AddressOf HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrap, 0, GetCurrentThreadId)   ' (5-pull before flush,  somehow arranges that the function gets called  ,
                            Debug.Print ; Tab(75); hHookTrapCrapNumber '                                                                                           'APIssinUserDLL_MsgBox HeavyWindBreak, "Excel MsgBox", "This is Center Position", vbOKOnly ' This breaks Wnd in Excel Window
 Call HookAPIssinUserDLL_MsgBoxThenDropIt
 'APIssinUserDLL_MsgBox &H0, "Select Range", "MutsNuts AkaApi working ApplicationPromptToRangeInputBox", vbOKOnly ' Pseudo Non Modal
 'APIssinUserDLL_MsgBox &H0, "Select Range", "MutsNuts AkaApi working ApplicationPromptToRangeInputBox", vbOKOnly ' Pseudo Non Modal
 'HookAPIssinUserDLL_MsgBoxThenDropIt
                                                                                                          
                                                                                                          Dim Rng As Range: Set Rng = Selection
' (Optional ByVal hwnd As Long, Optional ByVal Prompt As String, Optional ByVal Title As String, Optional ByVal buttons As Long) As Long '
End Sub ' AkaApiApplicationPromptToRangeInputBox
Sub HookAPIssinUserDLL_MsgBoxThenDropIt()

Code:

Sub HookAPIssinUserDLL_MsgBoxThenDropIt()
' a) HOOK Hook the pseudo Windows Sub Class Function WinSubWinCls_JerkBackOffHooKerd
Dim BookMarkClassTeachMeWind As Long: Let BookMarkClassTeachMeWind = 5
 'Let hHookTrapCrapNumber = SetWindowsHooksExample(BookMarkClassTeachMeWind, AddressOf HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTraped, 0, GetCurrentThreadId)   ' (5-pull before flush,  somehow arranges that the function gets called  ,
 'Let hHookTrapCrapNumber = SetWindowsHooksExample(BookMarkClassTeachMeWind, AddressOf HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc, 0, GetCurrentThreadId)   ' (5-pull before flush,  somehow arranges that the function gets called  ,
 Let hHookTrapCrapNumber = SetWindowsHooksExample(BookMarkClassTeachMeWind, AddressOf HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc, 0, GetCurrentFredId)   ' (5-pull before flush,  somehow arranges that the function gets called  ,
' b) Call the MessageBoxA
 APIssinUserDLL_MsgBox &H0, "Select Range", "MutsNuts AkaApi working ApplicationPromptToRangeInputBox", vbOKOnly ' Pseudo Non Modal
End Sub
'_-=Rem 4===================??? Got me hook lochprocedue in my code ,                5 times simple run then  another + 29 new copies of it are run  = 6+29=35 times  in total                     calling it it a few times  http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/1324-Loop-Through-Files-In-A-Folder-Using-VBA#post10421   .... wanking myself up and down a few times

Code:

'_-=Rem 4===================??? Got me hook lochprocedue in my code ,                5 times simple run then  another + 29 new copies of it are run  = 5+30=35 times  in total                     calling it it a few times  http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/1324-Loop-Through-Files-In-A-Folder-Using-VBA#post10421   .... wanking myself up and down a few times
Private Function HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc(ByVal lMsg As Long, ByVal wParam As Long, ByVal lParam As Long) As Long   '                                   ByVal CopyNumberFroNxtLvl As Long) As Long
                            Let GlobinalCntChopsLog = GlobinalCntChopsLog + 1: Debug.Print " Going a HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc"; GlobinalCntChopsLog; "(1Msg"; lMsg; ", wParam"; wParam; ", lParam"; lParam; ") Function Copy Number_"; GlobinalCntChopsLog
                            'If GlobinalCntChopsLog = 2 Then Let GlobinalCntChopsLog = GlobinalCntChopsLog - 1: UnHookWindowsHookCodEx hHookTrapCrapNumber: Exit Function
    If lMsg = 5 Then '_-.... ( Hook type: HCBT_ACTIVATE = 5 but not here?) ... this runs a further 29 copies of HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrap all coming here, so 30 times in total
                            Debug.Print "Expose Interface"; Tab(30); GlobinalCntChopsLog
     Call SetWindowPosition(wParam, 0, poX, pussY, 400, 150, 40) '             SWP_NOZORDER is 4 ..  but not here?? 'SWP_NOSIZE + SWP_NOZORDER ' Pull the Chainge position ...
     UnHookWindowsHookCodEx hHookTrapCrapNumber         ' Release the Hook 30 times this is done
    Else
                            Debug.Print "No InterOfCourse"; Tab(30); GlobinalCntChopsLog; Tab(50); hHookTrapCrapNumber
    End If ' 5 times here then '_-....
                            Debug.Print "Wipe chain WRap"; Tab(30); GlobinalCntChopsLog; Tab(50); hHookTrapCrapNumber
    Let HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc = 0 '  Done  5+30=35 times in total  '0 (or False) makes it work, all other numbers and I get no Message box
                            Let GlobinalCntChopsLog = GlobinalCntChopsLog - 1
End Function ' HoldYaBackCalledYaBackClapTrapRuc

**DocAElstein** · 02-17-2018, 05:06 PM

Arguably one of the most important things in VBA Windows API to get familiar with is this number, the number that gets given to a window when it opens**, or probably better said, most windows associated with a software get given their own one of these unique identifying numbers.

**DocAElstein** · 02-23-2018, 03:16 PM

**DocAElstein** · 02-28-2018, 12:22 AM

.k

**DocAElstein** · 10-23-2024, 01:50 PM

This is post #7
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showt...ll=1#post24876
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/2824-Tests-Copying-pasting-Cliipboard-issues?p=24876&viewfull=1#pst24876

This is post #552
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showt...ge56#post24323
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/2824-Tests-Copying-pasting-Cliipboard-issues/page56#post24323
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showt...ll=1#post24323
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/2824-Tests-Copying-pasting-Cliipboard-issues?p=24317&viewfull=1#post24323

Edit: I gave up with this post after getting so many quirky results in Windows 10 and windows 11, so I started this Thread

Some functions and rough notes on Versions on some computers used in the testings from this page 56 and page 55 and a few other related forum postings

Its useful to keep track of some of your computer specs, and Office versions when playing around with the codings on this page.
The macro below, Sub WhatAmI() ( along with the functions under it which go with it) may help to get some of that info. Run it and some info should appear in the Immediate Window. (From the VB Editor, hold the Ctrl key down and then hit key g to get that Immediate Window up)
Note there are a few bugs and quirks :
_ Application.OperatingSystem can give quirky answers in windows 11 , so the operating system result may be wrong for if you have Windows 11. In fact currently it seems a bit wonky everywhere
_I don’t know if that macro gets it correct in Office versions 2016, 2019,2021, 2024 or 365, since I don’t have them versions to check. My guess is that it might be a bit iffy for 2016 2019,2024 or 365

Code:

Sub WhatAmI()   '     https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/2824-Tests-Copying-pasting-Cliipboard-issues?p=24323&viewfull=1#post24323     https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/2824-Tests-Copying-pasting-Cliipboard-issues/page56#post24323
Debug.Print ExcelVersion & "    " & Application.OperatingSystem & "     (ApplicationVersion " & CLng(Val(Application.Version)) & ")     Computer named " & CreateObject("WScript.Network").ComputerName                      '  Environ$("computername")      Nigel Heffernan  https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3551055/how-to-get-name-of-the-computer-in-vba/10108951#10108951
'    Windows 11 (2021)                  ...
'    Windows 10 S (2017) ...
'    Windows 10 (2015) - MS Version 6.4. ...
'    Windows 8/8.1 (2012-2013) - MS Version 6.2/6.3. ...
'    Windows 7 (2009) - MS Version 6.1. ...
'    Windows Vista (2006) - MS Version 6.0. ...
'    Windows XP (2001) - MS Version 5.1. ...
'    Windows 2000 (2000) - MS Version 5.0.
End Sub

Private Function ExcelVersion() As String ' From Rory somewhere, then a blind mod for above 2016 from https://excelguru.ca/check-the-application-version-in-modern-office/  , which probably does not work too well - https://excelguru.ca/check-the-application-version-in-modern-office/#comment-358558
Dim Temp    As String
    'On Error Resume Next
    #If Mac Then
        Select Case CLng(Val(Application.Version))
         Case 11: Temp = "Excel 2004"
         Case 12: Temp = "Excel 2008" ' this should NEVER happen!
         Case 14: Temp = "Excel 2011"
         Case 15: Temp = "Excel 2016 (Mac)"
         Case Else: Temp = "Unknown"
        End Select
    #Else
        Select Case CLng(Val(Application.Version))
         Case 9: Temp = "Excel 2000"
         Case 10: Temp = "Excel 2002"
         Case 11: Temp = "Excel 2003"
         Case 12: Temp = "Excel 2007"
         Case 14: Temp = "Excel 2010"
         Case 15: Temp = "Excel 2013"
         Case 16:  '    https://excelguru.ca/check-the-application-version-in-modern-office/
          Let Temp = ForVersion16()         '
         Case Else: Temp = "Unknown"
        End Select
    #End If
    #If Win64 Then
     Let Temp = Temp & " 64 bit"
    #Else
     Let Temp = Temp & " 32 bit"
    #End If

 Let ExcelVersion = Temp
End Function
Function ForVersion16() As String  '    https://excelguru.ca/check-the-application-version-in-modern-office/  This may be crap - https://excelguru.ca/check-the-application-version-in-modern-office/#comment-358558
'Test the Office application version,   'Written by Ken Puls (www.excelguru.ca)   '  ...."From Office 2016 onwards, Microsoft has not revved the Application.Version number - they all show as 16.0 - giving you no way to differentiate between versions."....
Dim registryObject As Object
Dim rootDirectory As String, keyPath As String
Dim arrEntryNames As Variant, arrValueTypes As Variant
Dim x As Long
'Check for existence of Licensing key
 Let keyPath = "Software\Microsoft\Office\" & CStr(Application.Version) & "\Common\Licensing\LicensingNext"
 Let rootDirectory = "."
 Set registryObject = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & rootDirectory & "\root\default:StdRegProv")
registryObject.EnumValues &H80000001, keyPath, arrEntryNames, arrValueTypes
On Error GoTo ErrorExit
    For x = 0 To UBound(arrEntryNames)
        If InStr(arrEntryNames(x), "365") > 0 Then
         Let ForVersion16 = 365
        Exit Function
        End If
        If InStr(arrEntryNames(x), "2019") > 0 Then
         Let ForVersion16 = 2019
        Exit Function
        End If
        If InStr(arrEntryNames(x), "2021") > 0 Then
         Let ForVersion16 = 2021
        Exit Function
        If InStr(arrEntryNames(x), "2024") > 0 Then
         Let ForVersion16 = 2024
        Exit Function
        End If
    Next x
Exit Function
ErrorExit:
'Version 16, but no licensing key. Must be Office 2016
 Let ForVersion16 = 2016
End Function

'Some typical results of my computers for future reference for me because I keep forgetting which versions I have where

Code:

 '  ExcelVersion      Application.OperatingSystem        (CLng(Val(Application.Version)   CreateObject("WScript.Network").ComputerName                    '  Environ$("computername")      Nigel Heffernan  https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3551055/how-to-get-name-of-the-computer-in-vba/10108951#10108951
'(based on App.version)
'  Excel 2007 32 bit      Windows (32-bit) NT 6.00              (ApplicationVersion 12)     Alan's Computer named ELSTON-LAPTOP   KB Vista     Office 2007
'  Excel 2010 32 bit      Windows (32-bit) NT 6.00              (ApplicationVersion 14)     Computer named ELSTON-PC              Alan's Computer GB Vista     Office 10


'  Excel 2003 32 bit      Windows (32-bit) NT 6.01              (ApplicationVersion 11)     Computer named ALAN-PC                 Martin Windows 7 Pro   Office 2003
'  Excel 2010 32 bit      Windows (32-bit) NT 6.01              (ApplicationVersion 14)     Computer named ALAN-PC                Martin Windows 7 pro   Office 2010


'  Excel 2010 32 bit      Windows (32-bit) NT 6.02              (ApplicationVersion 14)     Computer named TM5730G                Alan's Computer Verranda Windows 10 Office 10
'  Excel 2013 32 bit      Windows (32-bit) NT :.00              (ApplicationVersion 15)     Computer named DESKTOP-G7BIH1B        Alan's Computer SerSzuD2 Windows 10 Office 13
'  Excel 2016 (Windows) 32 bit    Windows (32-bit) NT 10.00     (ApplicationVersion 16)     Alan's Computer named DESKTOP-14C4HCR   Torrox Windows 10  Office 2016



'  Excel 2010 32 bit      Windows (32-bit) NT 6.02              (ApplicationVersion 14)     Computer named ASPIRE7730G     Elfy Windows 11    Office 10
'

**DocAElstein** · 02-17-2018, 05:06 PM

Rough Notes on VBA Windows API Introduction Part 2 Handles, hwnd number

Arguably one of the most important things in VBA Windows API to get familiar with is this number, the number that gets given to a window when it opens**, or probably better said, most windows associated with a software get given their own one of these unique identifying numbers.
The subject we are considering here is controlling windows, and in order to do this, the API functions we are using will almost certainly need this number, and sometimes a few of them. Typically, the Long type variable used is given the name hwnd . It is very common to see this variable name, but only because it is often used, - it is not some reserved word, or it might be somewhere other than VBA

Perhaps 3 important points should be made clear right from the start
_ Whilst this number can, for any window, be used in our coding, ( or anything else communicating with windows ), to refer to / get / communicate etc. with that window directly, the particular number used is not fixed forever for that window. **It is given when the window comes into existence, and if the software creating it is then closed and re-opened, a new number will be given. It can be thought of as a semi random number given when the window is created, ( semi because the process giving the number follows certain rules ), and that particular number will only be valid for the duration of the software running. So generally, we cannot get that number somehow and then have a fixed number in our coding to always use. Instead we must either
use a third party software to get the number, and then each time we run our VBA coding we must enter that in
, or
the coding itself will need to get/find that number by some means, ( for example using a API function that uses some other property of the window to return the hwnd, or using some combination of API functions to loop through some windows and use some criteria to select the one we want)

_ Similarly again, whilst this number can, for any window, be used in our coding, ( or anything else communicating with windows ), to refer to / get / communicate etc. with that window directly, windows are generally organised in a explorer/ hierarchical way, and for some low level windows software innards reasons, if we want to get the handle with our VBA coding, we may need to "walk the tree" or go in steps to get it. This means that we often see a hwnd argument in a API function that we might use to get the handle, and the handle in that variable will likely be that of a window in somewhere "near" the one which is being found by that API function. So if we were wanting the handle of a window that is a few "levels down" in the hierarchy, we would likely have a few API function lines, and the handle got from one line would be fed to the next, pseudo like
hwnd2 = Function(hwnd1, arga, argb)
hwnd3 = Function(hwnd2, argx, argy)
hwnd4 = Function(hwnd3, argz, argy)
( Since a VBA coding works from right to left, and because we are usually only interested in the final hwnd, you will often see such code lines simplified to use the same variable, hwnd, pseudo like
hwnd = Function(hwnd, arga, argb)
hwnd = Function(hwnd, argx, argy)
hwnd = Function(hwnd, argz, argy) )

It is important not to get those last two points mixed up: We don’t have to delve into the hierarchy to reference a window if we have the hwnd; but we may need to do so if we want to get that hwnd with our coding. This latter point is often missed when learning or initially using simple API codings, since we may be just working at the same "level" on our desktop, ( although this "level" word needs to be used lightly/ carefully , - we may conceive it to be things we "see", whereas we may have "invisible" windows and also there may be other "level -type" organisations of the windows not strictly part of the hierarchical windows structure, for example the "z – order" which is the order in which windows are "seen on top of eachother" ). In some blogs and documentation we would sometimes say we usually begin at the top-level window if writing coding, although smart people with good deep down knowledge of computers might not like the sound of that.

_ I forgot the third point, I will add it later

The hierarchical structure, Spy software and other third party software/ lists/ explanations
Before getting into some demonstrative coding, we can look at some useful third party tools

_ API function lists and explanations:
https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....322050#p322050
ApiViewer 2004 https://app.box.com/s/qbz657wp505n4vdgp3rg67dltksma5wx
https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....322151#p322151
http://allapi.mentalis.org/apilist/apilist.php http://allapi.mentalis.org/apilist/apilist.php
API-Gude 3.7
https://app.box.com/s/3orl65g0rzwktbi39ser8qdu46rshp0y
https://app.box.com/s/bufdyf643jujd86iuloztwhscvicwb34
https://app.box.com/s/ckt6a0p57245j879wvuit7s4vi9n0oxt
https://app.box.com/s/jr5aoc3nsdzziqb2spgmtxnyinuxseui

_Spys
The main thing the commonly called spy programs give you is a graphical view of the window things, - remember the term is not restricted to the obvious rectangular things we experience:
There are a few.
The standard one is Microsoft Spy++. I have not figured out yet how to get it working without Visual Studio bloat. (I will try later). It does give nice view of the Hierarchical structure.
At the other extreme there is a small portable, winspy, ( https://app.box.com/s/kmkjg0djef8je9lpcrp2ufm80sjv5l4y ) , with a slightly different view.
https://i.postimg.cc/nhPrHqYr/winspy...rosoft-Spy.jpg winspy and Microsoft Spy++.JPG
https://i.postimg.cc/k5R4DDfc/winspy...rosoft-Spy.jpg

I am not sure yet of advantages / disadvantages, of either, but I have a feeling that Microsoft Spy++ and some of the installable larger alternatives my sometimes cause some problems / crashes.

It can be useful to use the Spys ++ initially early on so as to see the hierarchical structure, as a self made coding for that might come at a later intermediate level or advanced level. However for an intermediate / beginner level, we can look at the top-level window, as long as we bear in mind the points made about the hierarchical structure and the likely need to "walk the tree", we can get some useful beginner information and understanding if we write a coding for that. The danger can be doing this simple codings before the points about the hierarchical structure and the likely need to "walk the tree", as I did originally, but 6 years later, 2024, I am making better progress, amongst other reasons due to some better more enlightened help. ( https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....322075#p322075 )

A "Top level" window handle getting program
This one has had a few discussions and versions
https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=41610
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showt...ll=1#post24921
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showt...ll=1#post24925
Here is another version
https://www.excelfox.com/forum/showt...ll=1#post24926
The main new or changed features of this version are a few more explaining comments, and in the first column, the hwnd number is additionally given in Hexagonorrhoea and (2' compliment) binary. For the normal column width these extra numbers are not visible, but they are there for reference because:
_ Spy's typically have Hexagonorrhoea so it is convenient for comparisons
_ I want to jeep my eye on the binary to see if there are any typical values / patterns

If I run that coding at a time and conditions on my computer, similar to those as I made those Screenshots above, and compare for example the numbers for an open Notepad text file, then we can see some good correlation with the top level results
https://i.postimg.cc/BbtGWnqr/Good-c...-my-coding.jpg ( Full handle numbers: 224003622 D5A0626 00001101010110100000011000100110 )

Good correlation with Spys and my coding.JPG
The window Title also seems in agreement
_____ Workbook: GetHwndClassNameCaptionHwnd.xls ( Using Excel 2013 32 bit )

224003622 D5A0626 00001101010110100000011000100110

Notepad

Neues Textdokument.txt - Editor

224003622

Worksheet: GetDesktopClassNames

We can see however that the coding only gets us the top level information. We can often get at that information with coding, we must just remember the important point that in coding we must do it in steps, "walking the tree"

In the coding and associated forum Thread posts there is some general top level coding with explanations.

In the next post we will do some shorter simple coding, getting and using handles for that text file