How can I make DDE links update during execution of a Visual Basic program?

[mgraczyk]

I have written a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) program from within Excel. One of the things the program does is create DDE links to eSignal for a collection of symbols in the Excel spreadsheet. Then the program is designed to de several other things.

But no matter what I try, the cells with DDE links do not populate themselves with the linked data until the VBA application ends. I have tried issuing Wait commands (i.e., Application.Wait) and created various loops that basically delay the application to allow time for the cells to get populated. I have also tried all the Calculation and link refresh commands and tests, such as:
--Calculate
--Application.Calculate
--Application.CalculateFull
--Application.CalculateFullRebuild
--Workbooks(x).RefreshAll
--If Application.CalculationState - xlDone Then... (to loop into calculation procedures until all has been calculated, etc.)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[winiecke]

Hey ! Thanks for your reply!

I've pretty much given up on it. Instead I have found outside applications to do what I want. Esignal ActiveX will only allow me to export price and time data to these other SDK's so that I can calculate the technical values that I want, to use in the manner that I want.

If this is an incorrect assumption, please let me know.

[chs245]

Have you tried the a Do Events Loop ?

[mgraczyk]

I have tried a Do Events loop, thanks. The bloody DDE links just won't update themselves until the computer is just sitting there idle, and it doesn't recognize a Visual Basic Do Events loop or even a time delay loop as sitting idle. I think the Do Events command doesn't work because DDE links are probably not considered system events covered by the Do Events command.

But trying Do Events was a great suggestion. You seem to know a lot about this stuff. Do you have any other suggestions?

[chs245]

The way to get around the problem is to have 2 macros. The second is launched with a 2-5sec launch delay after the first macro which requests the the DDE, so that the system has time to update the DDE links.
Cumbersome, but I have not found a better solution.

OLiver

[CharlieCox]

DDE Link documentation

I'm having similar problems - perhaps because my documentation on DDE is out of date.

Can anyone point me to the location of the latest documentation?

Thanks