Rename and save a read only Excel file

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
#1

I’m trying to make and applescript folder action that would open and Excel file when added to a folder. I need the Excel file to be opened as Read Only and i am having problems with that. Also the file is to be renamed so it can be saved. The version of Excel that i am using is 2008.
This is what i have so far. It works up till it needs a keystroke to accept the read only.
Any help would be appreciated.
PolishPrince



on adding folder items to this_folder after receiving added_items
	
	set the_path to (POSIX path of this_folder) as string
	try
		tell application "Finder"
			set theFile to added_items as string
		end tell
		
		--Separate the filename from the Posix Path
		set myString to theFile
		set AppleScript's text item delimiters to ":"
		set TheItemList to every text item in myString
		set AppleScript's text item delimiters to ""
		--set theNewString to every item in TheItemList as string
		set theNewString to the last item in TheItemList as string
		
		--Open the file in Excel, rename, save and quit
		tell application "Microsoft Excel"
			activate
			
			--open workbook workbook file name myFile
			open workbook workbook file name theNewString
			
			--Force a Return Keystroke to the default Read Only button
			tell application "System Events" to tell process "Microsoft Excel" to keystroke return
			
			activate object worksheet "Sheet1"
			
			--Change the name of the file to be resaved
			set theNewString to ("New" & theNewString)
			
			save active workbook in the_path
			close active workbook
		end tell
		
		
	end try
end adding folder items to
#2

Have you tried changing the open line

open workbook workbook file name theNewString with read only

Also, why fiddle with the read-only setting if you’re just going to close the workbook before the user can get to it?

#3

Mikerickson
The reason i am doing this is to change the name so it can be opened from an Iphone. The file can’t be opened remotely from and iphone when it is locked. I have a mail rule to send an Excel attachment to a folder that is going to have this folder action.
If this folder action could open the file in read only then maybe it could be saved with another name. I don’t know a lot about Applescript but, i really enjoy learning about it.
Thanks for your reply, i am going to try your suggestion.
Polishprince

#4

Have you considered having Finder duplicate and re-name the file, rather than saving it through Excel?

#5

Mikerickson
I’m not so good in Applescript and i don’t know how to Duplicate and re-name a file but, i think that just to re-name the file will take the locking on the file with it. That is why i wanted to open in Excel and re-save in another name.
It would be great if someone could show me or point to an example of how this is done. I searched through the archive and none of the examples seem to work for me.
Thank you for your interest
Polishprince

#6

Hi
I’m still tearing my hair out trying to get a return keystroke. If i put my keystroke code before the line below, it doesn’t do anything and if i put it after, it is to late. Is it possible that i could put the open workbook and the code to keystroke on the same line. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Polishprince


--Force a Return Keystroke to the default Read Only button
 open workbook workbook file name theNewString