Shell Function

Syntax:
Shell(Name$[, WindowType])
Group: Miscellaneous
Description:
Execute program Name$. This is the same as using File|Run from the Program Manager. This instruction can run .COM, .EXE, .BAT and .PIF files. If successful, return the task ID.
Parameter Description

Name$ This string value is the path and name of the program to run. Command line arguments follow the program name. (A long file name containing a space must be surrounded by literal double quotes.)
WindowType This controls how the application's main window is shown. See the table below.
WindowType Value Effect

bHide 0 Hide Window
bNormalFocus 1, 5, 9 Normal Window
bMinimizedFocus

Minimized Window (default)

bMaximizedFocus

Maximized Window

bNormalNoFocus

8 Normal Deactivated Window

bMinimizedNoFocus

7 Minimized Deactivated Window

See Also: AppActivate, SendKeys.
Example:

Sub Main
X = Shell("Calc") ' run the calc program
AppActivate X
SendKeys "% R" ' restore calc's main window
SendKeys "30*2{+}10=",1 '70
End Sub