Technology

OfficeGate is a single DLL file which can link between applications in any developmental environment and Office programs.

The link between OfficeGate and Office programs is performed through OLE technology, whereas the link between OfficeGate and the reading application is performed through the activation of simple OfficeGate functions. Thus, OfficeGate simplifies the operation and shortens the developmental process; in some languages, Office is the means of making the link possible.

The use of OfficeGate simplifies and shortens the linking process with Office programs and makes an efficient and useful alternative which can replace the awkward methods of using DDE in Macro, writing VBScript or making temporary files.

OfficeGate Installation (server and workstation)

OfficeGate is installed in a workstation or a server by a simple and user-friendly installation program which creates a library including the DLL files as well as the rest of the OfficeGate components. From this moment on, OfficeGate is ready for use.

Example A: Extracting a value from a cell in an Excel sheet

To extract a value from a specific cell in an Excel sheet, all you need to do is to enlist the following OfficeGate functions:

Command	Description
xlAppStart	To open a communication channel to Excel.
xlWbkOpen	To open a new or existing Excel file.
xlWshSelect	To select the required sheet.
xlRngGetValue	To extract the value from a specific cell.
xlWbkClose	To close the Excel file.
xlAppEnd	To close the communication channel to Excel.

Once focused on the required sheet (xlWshSelect), you may perform a number of functions with no need to focus again before each command. The xlAppStart and xlAppEnd commands need to appear only once, at the beginning and the end of work with Excel, while many different commands on many sheets may be used during the process.

Example B: Sending e-mail through Outlook

To use the Outlook system for sending e-mail and saving it in the 'sent items' box, you will need to enlist the following OfficeGate functions:

Command	Description
olAppStart	To open a communication channel to Outlook.
olMsgAdd	To write a new mail and include data.
olMsgSend	To send the e-mail
olAppEnd	To close the communication channel to Outlook.

Without the 'send' command olMsgSend, the mail will be automatically saved in Outlook and will be sent according to the automatic Outlook 'send' definitions.
The 'send' command obliges Outlook to send the mail immediately.

Example C: Placing data in a constructed Word form

To generate personal letters using a constructed Word form where the addressee's details need to be introduced, you need to enlist the following OfficeGate functions:

Command	Description
wdAppStart	To open a communication channel with Word.
olDocOpen	To open a file which contains a Word form.
wdFfdSetResult	To update a value on a Word document.
wdDocSaveAs	To save the document after placing the data in the form.
wdDocClose	To close the Word file.
wdAppEnd	To end the communication channel with Word.