Using VBScript to control Notepad

Question

In connection with another, very different project, I am trying to write a VBScript that will, when executed, do the following:

1. Open an instance of Notepad (as a hidden or minimized window)
2. Bring the instance of Notepad into focus
3. Write "Hello world" into the open notepad file
4. Issue the appropriate alt+S etc. commands to save the file on the Desktop as "PrototypeText.txt"
5. Close Notepad.

My biggest points of confusion are in steps "2" and especially "4" above. I know how to do all the other things in VBScript. Can anyone help me with these two steps?

Lastly, I realize that there are much more practical ways of accomplishing this, such as AutoHotKey, or writing directly to the *.txt file, in some other language perhaps. Please understand that the above program is a proof-of-concept for another project, not a deliverable in itself.

Your time spend responding is greatly appreciated. A link (that I haven't found yet) that specifies how to do "2" and "4" above would work as well.

Answer 1

In WSH object if you are running vbs in that environment (as is likely) then use appactivate. But a hidden window can't be activated so ...

Again sendkeys in the WSH object can do 4 (but not in a hidden window).

Here's a sample from vbscript help (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8c6yea83(v=vs.84).aspx) using both commands and note using sleep to give apps the chance to process commands.

     set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
     WshShell.Run "calc"
     WScript.Sleep 100
     WshShell.AppActivate "Calculator"
     WScript.Sleep 100
     WshShell.SendKeys "1{+}"
     WScript.Sleep 500
     WshShell.SendKeys "2"
     WScript.Sleep 500
     WshShell.SendKeys "~"
     WScript.Sleep 500
     WshShell.SendKeys "*3"
     WScript.Sleep 500
     WshShell.SendKeys "~"
     WScript.Sleep 2500

Minimised windows can get the focus.

Use a string like this to get the desktop. Include quotes."%userprofile%\desktop\yourfilename.txt". Quotes are in case there are any spaces.

Also AppActivate returns a code. True if it can or is activated. You can use this to test for dialogs by apactivating the dialog title. It's really Window activating.

Answer 2

Assuming you don't want to change/keep adding to this text file via scripting while it's open the below should work.

Dim objFSO, objFileToWrite, WShell
Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set WShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

'Create Text File and write to it then close it    
Set objFileToWrite = objFSO.CreateTextFile("C:\Users\***YOUR USER ID HERE***\Desktop\PrototypeText.txt", 1)
objFileToWrite.Write "Hello World"
objFileToWrite.Close

'Open newly created and saved text file
WShell.Run("Notepad.exe C:\Users\***YOUR USER ID HERE***\Desktop\PrototypeText.txt")