Question

I’m trying to run a command line argument through VB.NET using the Shell() command.

I’m trying to use this piece of code:

FOR /R %I in (*.pdf) DO @pdf2swf.exe "%~fI" -o "%~dpI%~nI.swf" -f -T 9
-t -G

Using this:

Shell("FOR /R %I in (*.pdf) DO @pdf2swf.exe "%~fI" -o "%~dpI%~nI.swf" -f -T 9
-t -G ")

However, the interpreter is giving me this error:

Character is not valid. (BC30037)

For the %~ part.

I also tried created a string and passing the argument to the Shell() command by using Shell(StringName) but I still get the same error in the string.

How could I fix this issue?

Answer 1

Try escaping the quotes (2 quote marks – “” – in VB.NET, IIRC):

Shell("FOR /R %I in (*.pdf) DO @pdf2swf.exe ""%~fI"" -o ""%~dpI%~nI.swf"" -f -T 9 -t -G ")

If pdf2swf.exe is not in the same folder your program’s executable is running from, that could be a reason you’re getting the error.

Also, you’ll have the same issue with the *.pdf files if they are in a different folder other than where your executable is. You can specify the drive and path to search:

Shell ("FOR /R C:\SomeFolder %I in (*.pdf) DO @pdf2swf.exe ""%~fI"" -o ""%~dpI%~nI.swf"" -f -T 9 -t -G ")