Passes the specified command string to the DDE application, which is identified by the conversation ID. @DDEExecute is always used in conjunction with @DDEInitiate and @DDETerminate.

Note DDEExecute is not supported by UNIX or on the Macintosh.

Syntax

@DDEExecute( conversationID ; command )

Parameters

conversationID

The conversationID is returned by the @DDEInitiate function, which must precede the use of @DDEExecute. Use your own variable name; that's how you pass the conversation ID between Lotus Domino and the other application. If the conversation ID is invalid, Lotus Domino returns an error. See @IsError.

Text. The command must be a text string that adheres to the syntax rules of the receiving application (see that application's documentation). Enclose the command in quotation marks so it can be passed intact to the DDE application; that application will then interpret it as a DDE command.

acknowledgment

Number.
• Returns @True (1) if the DDE command is successfully executed
• Returns @False(0) if not
• Returns an error if the conversation ID is invalid

This function is intended for use primarily in field formulas, agents, and toolbar buttons. It does not work in column or selection formulas, and is not intended for use in window title or form formulas. Since the Macintosh does not support DDE, these commands will not work on Macintosh workstations. In addition, the format of the DDE commands may vary somewhat with each platform or application.

If the user's NOTES.INI file includes the statement:

NoExternalApps=1

then any formula involving @DDE functions is disabled. The user doesn't see an error message; the formula fails to execute.

You can have up to 10 DDE conversations running concurrently, although under normal circumstances you should only have one conversation running at a time. Be sure to terminate all DDE conversations once they're completed, or you may run out of sessions and be unable to initiate more conversations when needed.

You cannot use this function in Web applications.

For details on how to access data in external applications, see, "Linking and embedding objects in forms."

Example
See Also

@DDEInitiate
@DDEPoke
@DDETerminate
@Functions with ECL security

Glossary