The command line interface to AutoMSW lets you use the power of AutoMSW from a command prompt, batch files, macros, and other situations when you prefer to not use the regular graphical user interface.

Trial Period:

The command line interface is available to try out in any version of AutoMSW, but to use the command line interface past the trial period a Professional level license is required.  The trial period of the command line interface is 20 successfully completed jobs.

Running AutoMSW from a Command Line:

To use the command line interface call the AutoMSW program with the /file option and the filename of an "arguments file".  An arguments file is a text file that contains instructions on how to run this job.  An example command line would be:

"C:\Program Files\AutoMSW\automail.exe" /file "C:\Program Files\AutoMSW\cloptions.txt"

This example specifies the full path and filename of both the AutoMSW executable and the arguments file.  If your path or filename contains spaces put the whole path and filename in double quotes.  The double quotes are not required if you don't have spaces in the path or filename.  You could also run it like:

automail.exe /file cloptions.txt

if the command is being run from the same folder as the executable and the arguments file.  (You may also make use of the PATH environment variable.  Consult your Windows documentation).  For an example batch file showing how to run AutoMSW and process any error values returned see the "Sample.bat" file in your AutoMSW folder.

Arguments File:

The arguments file passed in on the command line is a plain text file.  A sample arguments file called "cloptions.txt" is included in your AutoMSW folder.  The following commands are available for use in your arguments file:

All commands are optional in the arguments file.  If a command is not present the default value will be used.  The default values are the values that were last set through the graphical user interface.  An example arguments file is shown here:

#
# From
# How your emails are sent, and from where

#
Send Method: 1

Direct From: "ACME Sales" <sales@mydomain.com>
 

#
# Subject
# The subject of your messages
#
Subject: New Product Announcement for [[Name]]


#
# Mail List
# Specify the full path and filename of the mailing list file
#
Mail List: C:\Program Files\AutoMSW\Lists\testlist.txt


#
# Text Message and HTML Message
# Specify the full path and filename of the message file(s)
#
Text Message: C:\Data\ProductABC\Notification Letters\Announce.txt
HTML Message: C:\Data\ProductABC\Notification Letters\Announce.html


#
# Use HTML
#
Use HTML: 1


#
# AddAttachment
# This command can be used multiple times to add additional global attachments

# You can also use wildcards (* and ?) in the filename
#
AddAttachment: C:\Data\ProductABC\Notification Letters\specs.pdf
AddAttachment: C:\Data\ProductABC\Notification Letters\specs.doc

AddAttachment: C:\Data\ProductABC\Invoices\*.txt
 

Return Values:

AutoMSW returns one of the following values upon completion: