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.

• John Coleman: You might be able to use Windows file associations and skip the part about the path to python.exe
• mmmbeer: @JohnColeman: Interesting. How could I do this while using the shell? It insists on a path to an executable as a argument.
• John Coleman: I'm not sure how to use it from VBScript -- but it can work from the command prompt.
• John Coleman: The Run method seems easier to use with arguments with spaces. I'm not sure why.
• John Coleman: 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.

Answer 1

Try to use multiple quotes:

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

• mmmbeer: 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.