How would one script to open an exterior msword file with a button within a database. Unfortunately, scipting to a url is not an option, as the msword file has to be located in a specific area.

As "DDE Execute" is only available on Windows, if you're on a Mac (as your icon suggests), I suggest using AppleScript.

Frankly, I don't know AppleScript (never had a need for it, as almost all my clients are Windows-based), so I don't know if you'd have the same problem with defining a pathname. But it seems to me that no matter what you do, you'll have the same problem -- computers are literal-minded and stupid; they can only do exactly what they're told to do.

You could also use 'Set DDE Execute' to open a Word file - but you will still have the same problem - either the file will need to be placed in the current active folder, or you will have to specify a specific path to the file.

It also turns out that you can use the 'send message' script to send an open file message to the cpu. If the database and file are both on a shared space, anyone can open the file.

thanks all