Passing parameters to python from VBA

Question

In VBA code, I am calling Python and passing an argument successfully like this when there are no spaces in the path to the python file:

Dim wsh As Object
Set wsh = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

Dim shell_exec As Object
Set shell_exec = wsh.Exec("C:\path_to_executable\python.exe " & "C:\path_without_spaces\file.py " & arg)

However, I cannot find any way to pass an argument to python when the path to the python file contains spaces. For example, triple double-quoting the path works when there is no argument:

Set shell_exec = wsh.Exec("C:\path_to_executable\python.exe " & """C:\path with spaces\file.py""")

But I am unable to find any way to pass an argument when doing this. For example, calls like this (and every variation on this theme I can think of) fail:

Set shell_exec = wsh.Exec("C:\path_to_executable\python.exe " & """C:\path with spaces\file.py """ & arg)

Is this possible, or is the use of spaces fatally ambiguous in this situation?

Advice is appreciated.

You might be able to use Windows file associations and skip the part about the path to python.exe — John Coleman
– John Coleman, Commented Mar 30, 2016 at 19:57
@JohnColeman: Interesting. How could I do this while using the shell? It insists on a path to an executable as a argument. — mmmbeer
– mmmbeer, Commented Mar 30, 2016 at 20:15
I'm not sure how to use it from VBScript -- but it can work from the command prompt. — John Coleman
– John Coleman, Commented Mar 30, 2016 at 20:52
The Run method seems easier to use with arguments with spaces. I'm not sure why. — John Coleman
– John Coleman, Commented Mar 30, 2016 at 21:16
It seems to be a bit of a bug since exactly the same string will work with Run but fail with Exec. How badly do you need to have spaces in the path? Personally, I keep most of my programs in a folder in my documents (in a path which contains spaces) but also keep a folder close to the root directory for programs that I need to invoke from the command line (which isn't a very common use-case for me). You could create such a folder and move a copy of your script to it. — John Coleman
– John Coleman, Commented Mar 31, 2016 at 12:29

xiº · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-30 19:56:30Z

1

Try to use multiple quotes:

Set shell_exec = wsh.Exec("""C:\path_to_executable\python.exe """ & """C:\path with spaces\file.py """ & arg)

answered Mar 30, 2016 at 19:56

xiº

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1 Comment

mmmbeer Over a year ago

Thanks, hadn't tried that one, but no success. This causes the terminal window to stay open, which is different, but the argument is still not passed.

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