AppActivate Statement

Activates an application window — gives it the focus.

Syntax

AppActivate title[, wait]

Arguments

• title: String expression or numeric Shell task ID naming the window to activate. String matching follows VB6 rules: the first window whose title begins with title wins; if none, one whose title ends with title. Comparisons are case-insensitive.
• wait (optional): Boolean. When True, activation is deferred until the calling application itself has the focus; False (the default) activates immediately.

Remarks

• Error 5: Raises "Invalid procedure call or argument" when no open window matches title.
• Task IDs: A numeric title — usually the return value of Shell — selects the window of that task.
• Headless platforms: Where no window facility exists (CI machines, WASM), the request is logged and the call succeeds so programs stay runnable.

Examples

Activating Notepad before sending keystrokes

AppActivate "Notepad"
SendKeys "Hello, world"

Using a Shell task ID

Dim taskId As Double
taskId = Shell("CALC.EXE", vbNormalFocus)
AppActivate taskId

See Also

• Shell function (run a program, returning its task ID)
• SendKeys statement (send keystrokes to the active window) Reference