Schedule a Word doc to open at specific time?

Reciprocity · 10-25-2004, 12:52 PM

I'm trying to set up my computer to automatically open Microsoft Word docs at specific times and dates...a different file for each day of the week, at a specific time.

I've tried using XP's "scheduled tasks" but for whatever reason it isn't working. I've tried searching through the Microsoft database but am struggling with that as well.

Anyone know of a way to do this, or of a program that can do this for me?

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ydant · 10-25-2004, 01:12 PM

Trying to fool the boss into thinking you're actually working?

The scheduled tasks should do it - what do you mean by "isn't working"?

Kaiser · 10-25-2004, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ydant

Trying to fool the boss into thinking you're actually working?

Yeah, at least tell us why in God's name you'd wanna do this, dcrawford.

Keith · 10-25-2004, 01:17 PM

why isn't scheduled tasks working? Are u getting an error message or is it just not opening? if so, tell us what ur typing in.
Don't be a stupid user

Keith

Retsyn · 10-25-2004, 01:17 PM

If you're going to use sheduled tasks, you need to have a password specified for your account. I have no idea why it doesn't work without one, But I ran into this problem when I was setting up automatic backups of my computer.

DoinkMobb · 10-25-2004, 01:17 PM

Maybe create a batch file that opens said Word doc and then have the scheduled tasks run that batch file? I dunno if that'll work, but I'd give it a try.

Cabal · 10-25-2004, 01:18 PM

I've used Macro Scheduler (http://www.mjtnet.com/) in the past for a quick n' dirty solution. It works surprisingly well, I don't know why the Windows scheduler doesn't already have all the same functionality.

Kaiser · 10-25-2004, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

why isn't scheduled tasks working?

Because it only works with executables. He could open Word any time he wants, but not a specific Word document.

KC · 10-25-2004, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser

Yeah, at least tell us why in God's name you'd wanna do this, dcrawford.

TPS Reports.

Reciprocity · 10-25-2004, 01:21 PM

Turns out it is a Microsoft security issue. They "closed" the functionality of Sched Tasks with SP2 (or 1) because there was a security threat of someone getting into your computer and causing some program to run when you didn't want it to. As a result, I can't even do it myself! Argh! This is my first REAL issue with Microsoft and their annoyances...bah!

I've contacted 'em and they are supposed to be sending me info on how to get that function back.

What I wanted to do is have a word doc open daily, with a reminder list of things to do that day...because I am old and my mind isn't as good as it used to be...and since I've got this fancy ass computer I may as well use it for something...useful!

gongzero · 10-25-2004, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser

Because it only works with executables. He could open Word any time he wants, but not a specific Word document.

Could you add like a command line switch to the executable that opens a specific file?

-A

Gundoo · 10-25-2004, 01:23 PM

hmmm, so computers arent just for OT and porn!??!?!?

Retsyn · 10-25-2004, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoinkMobb

Maybe create a batch file that opens said Word doc and then have the scheduled tasks run that batch file? I dunno if that'll work, but I'd give it a try.

No there's no need, I just set up and tested the exact behavior in scheduled tasks. Worked fine. I bet he doesn't have a PWD on his account...

Retsyn · 10-25-2004, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser

Because it only works with executables. He could open Word any time he wants, but not a specific Word document.

Not true, I just did it.

Kaiser · 10-25-2004, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retsyn

Not true, I just did it.

Then I don't get it:

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcrawford

They "closed" the functionality of Sched Tasks with SP2 (or 1) because there was a security threat of someone getting into your computer and causing some program to run when you didn't want it to.

He's saying SP2 killed scheduled tasks all together, you're saying you can schedule .doc's and .exe's, and I'm only seeing options for .exe's.

Reciprocity · 10-25-2004, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retsyn

No there's no need, I just set up and tested the exact behavior in scheduled tasks. Worked fine. I bet he doesn't have a PWD on his account...

I don't have a password on my account....I'm the only one that uses this machine. My roommate is scared of computers

OK...I'm going to let you people banter about this a bit then come back in several hours and attempt more fixes. I've got to get to work...doh.

paulb · 10-25-2004, 01:26 PM

You could download rainlender. It's a small calender that you can place anywhere on your desktop and enter appointments and other things for a certain time. A small popup appears on your screen at the desired time. It also works with Outlook.

bigdweeb · 10-25-2004, 01:26 PM

http://support.microsoft.com/default...roduct=wrd2003

create a .bat file with something like:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Winword.exe" c:\imold.doc

in it and run that from the task scheduler. Then just update the .doc file daily

Retsyn · 10-25-2004, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser

Then I don't get it:

He's saying SP2 killed scheduled tasks all together, you're saying you can schedule .doc's and .exe's, and I'm only seeing options for .exe's.

Yeah, you just select the doc file anyway. So the RUN: entry looks like "C:\documents and settings\chris\my documents\BLAHBLAH.doc"

Reciprocity · 10-25-2004, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser

Then I don't get it:

He's saying SP2 killed scheduled tasks all together, you're saying you can schedule .doc's and .exe's, and I'm only seeing options for .exe's.

I get an error when I try to sched anything...no matter what the program. I looked up the error and Microsoft told me it that the Sched Tasks was disabled due to SP2. Ugh.

Must...go...to...work!

Retsyn · 10-25-2004, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcrawford

I don't have a password on my account....I'm the only one that uses this machine. My roommate is scared of computers

OK...I'm going to let you people banter about this a bit then come back in several hours and attempt more fixes. I've got to get to work...doh.

Seriously, just specify a password for your account and supply it when you set up the task. That simple.

Charge · 10-25-2004, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcrawford

What I wanted to do is have a word doc open daily, with a reminder list of things to do that day...because I am old and my mind isn't as good as it used to be...and since I've got this fancy ass computer I may as well use it for something...useful!

So you'd want a different list for every day, right? As it'd change as things got done. You want to bother with typing up a document for every day? Why don't you just use Outlook's calendar app? You can type out all your daily chores for each day, set some to repeat in a set pattern, etc... Just open Outlook and set it to default to the calendar view.

Then you don't have to bother with Word.

Kaiser · 10-25-2004, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retsyn

Yeah, you just select the doc file anyway. So the RUN: entry looks like "C:\documents and settings\chris\my documents\BLAHBLAH.doc"

Gotcha. I just went back and simply drag and dropped a doc into the Scheduled Tasks window, and it worked. (Just didn't work when I used the wizard.) Cool.

dcrawford, sounds like you're all set.

Retsyn · 10-25-2004, 01:29 PM

I dunno. I'm running SP2 and it works fine. The only wierdness was the password. As soon as I created one the scheduled tasks worked fine.

Kaiser · 10-25-2004, 01:33 PM

No, I see what you mean about going back and changing the run: line. Just thought I'd let him know about the drag and drop method since it's so easy. (And I get what you mean about the password; prompts me for one, too.)

10-25-2004, 12:52 PM	#1
Reciprocity Scooby Specialist Member#: 1165 Join Date: Mar 2000	Schedule a Word doc to open at specific time? I'm trying to set up my computer to automatically open Microsoft Word docs at specific times and dates...a different file for each day of the week, at a specific time. I've tried using XP's "scheduled tasks" but for whatever reason it isn't working. I've tried searching through the Microsoft database but am struggling with that as well. Anyone know of a way to do this, or of a program that can do this for me? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-25-2004, 01:12 PM	#2
ydant Scooby Guru Member#: 43447 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Herndon, VA Vehicle: 2009 STI The Good Grey	Trying to fool the boss into thinking you're actually working? The scheduled tasks should do it - what do you mean by "isn't working"?

10-25-2004, 01:17 PM	#4
Keith Scooby Guru Member#: 191 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: seattle Vehicle: 2012 J train Brown	why isn't scheduled tasks working? Are u getting an error message or is it just not opening? if so, tell us what ur typing in. Don't be a stupid user Keith

10-25-2004, 01:17 PM	#5
Retsyn Scooby Newbie Member#: 1910 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC	If you're going to use sheduled tasks, you need to have a password specified for your account. I have no idea why it doesn't work without one, But I ran into this problem when I was setting up automatic backups of my computer.

10-25-2004, 01:17 PM	#6
DoinkMobb Scooby Specialist Member#: 3787 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: G-ville Vehicle: 2008 Gay Car	Maybe create a batch file that opens said Word doc and then have the scheduled tasks run that batch file? I dunno if that'll work, but I'd give it a try.

10-25-2004, 01:18 PM	#7
Cabal Scooby Specialist Member#: 31159 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Austin, TX Vehicle: 2006 WRX, 2008 2.5i San Remo Red	I've used Macro Scheduler (http://www.mjtnet.com/) in the past for a quick n' dirty solution. It works surprisingly well, I don't know why the Windows scheduler doesn't already have all the same functionality.

10-25-2004, 01:21 PM	#10
Reciprocity Scooby Specialist Member#: 1165 Join Date: Mar 2000	Turns out it is a Microsoft security issue. They "closed" the functionality of Sched Tasks with SP2 (or 1) because there was a security threat of someone getting into your computer and causing some program to run when you didn't want it to. As a result, I can't even do it myself! Argh! This is my first REAL issue with Microsoft and their annoyances...bah! I've contacted 'em and they are supposed to be sending me info on how to get that function back. What I wanted to do is have a word doc open daily, with a reminder list of things to do that day...because I am old and my mind isn't as good as it used to be...and since I've got this fancy ass computer I may as well use it for something...useful!

10-25-2004, 01:23 PM	#12
Gundoo Scooby Specialist Member#: 34112 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Austin! Vehicle: i only like ot as a friend	hmmm, so computers arent just for OT and porn!??!?!?

10-25-2004, 01:26 PM	#17
paulb Scooby Newbie Member#: 50822 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: MA Vehicle: 2011 Infiniti G37x Moonlight White	You could download rainlender. It's a small calender that you can place anywhere on your desktop and enter appointments and other things for a certain time. A small popup appears on your screen at the desired time. It also works with Outlook.

10-25-2004, 01:26 PM	#18
bigdweeb Scooby Specialist Member#: 31035 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Boston Vehicle: 10 Mazda Miata 21 CWP Outback XT	http://support.microsoft.com/default...roduct=wrd2003 create a .bat file with something like: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Winword.exe" c:\imold.doc in it and run that from the task scheduler. Then just update the .doc file daily

10-25-2004, 01:29 PM	#24
Retsyn Scooby Newbie Member#: 1910 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC	I dunno. I'm running SP2 and it works fine. The only wierdness was the password. As soon as I created one the scheduled tasks worked fine.

10-25-2004, 01:33 PM	#25
Kaiser The Fellas fella Member#: 7170 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Vehicle: Aut Kaiser, aut nullus.	No, I see what you mean about going back and changing the run: line. Just thought I'd let him know about the drag and drop method since it's so easy. (And I get what you mean about the password; prompts me for one, too.)