DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange)

Description

Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) is a relatively simplistic method of inter-application communication. It relies on a standard underlying Windows-based protocol in order to send/receive values and messages between applications. One application, referred to as the client application, can request information from or send commands to another application, referred to as the server application. The server then processes the request from the client, such as updating data, running a process or returning requested information to the client.

Using the DDE action, Automate can simulate operations that a DDE client usually performs, such as the ability to send requests and commands to DDE Server applications. For example, the DDE activities can be used to communicate with Excel to populate a cell with data without having to send keystrokes to the application. Many popular Windows applications provide support for DDE, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel,.ACT!, WinFax and many more.

Available Activities

For more information about a specific activity, click the associated link:

Activity	Description
DDE - Execute	Sends a command string to another application on a given topic, using dynamic data exchange (DDE).
DDE - Poke	Sends data between client and server applications in a dynamic data exchange (DDE) conversation.
DDE - Request	Uses an open dynamic data exchange (DDE) channel to request information from the receiving application, and returns the information as a string.