> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.taltech.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Reading serial data into Word using DDE (Word 2.0-6.0)

> Read device data into older 16-bit versions of Word (2.0 and 6.0) with WinWedge using its more advanced DDE mode.

## Configuring WinWedge and Word

#### WinWedge DDE server settings

Remember to set WinWedge up in DDE Server Mode! See the [DDE Server Mode Setup Guide](https://support.taltech.com/winwedge/dde-server-mode-setup-guide.md).

DDE Application Name: **WinWedge**

DDE Topic: **System**

DDE Command: **\[GRABDATA]**

## Creating the WordBasic macro

#### Word instructions

**This is for 16-bit versions of Word, including Word 2.0 and 6.0.**

When you create a WordBasic macro or subroutine in Word and save it in the Global macro sheet, the name of the subroutine automatically becomes a valid Word DDE command. Create a new macro by selecting “Macro” from the TOOLS menu. When the dialog box appears prompting for a macro name, enter the name: GRABDATA and then click the button labeled “Create”. Enter the following code in the macro editor window:

```vb theme={null}
Sub MAIN

chan = DDEInitiate("WinWedge", "COM2") ' open a link to the Wedge
MyData$ = DDERequest$(chan, "Field(1)") ' get the data from the Wedge
DDETerminate chan ' close the link
Insert MyData$ ' enter the data into the open document
InsertPara ' insert a paragraph marker (hard return)
' add your own code here

End Sub
```

After you are done entering the code select “Close” from the FILE menu to save the macro.

This example sets up the Wedge to issue a DDE command (\[GRABDATA]) to Word after each data record is received from your serial device. This causes the GRABDATA subroutine to run which then performs a DDERequest back to the Wedge asking for the data in Field(1) in the Wedge Window. This data is returned to Word in the variable: MyData$. Once the data from the Wedge is in a variable, you can do whatever you like with it by including additional code of your own design. This example simply inserts the text in the MyData$ string variable into the open document and then inserts a paragraph marker.

### Transmitting data from Word

The following code fragment shows how to transmit a string out the serial port from Word:

```vb theme={null}
channel = DDEInitiate("WinWedge", "COM2") ' open a link to the Wedge
DDEExecute channel, "[Sendout('Test',13)]" ' transmit "Test" and a carriage return
DDETerminate channel ' close the link
```


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