{subsection: Introduction}

Condor can be used to run COM automation jobs using the Windows Scripting Host (WSH).  This means, for example, Condor can run jobs that automate Microsoft Excel.  What follows is a step-by-step introduction to running Excel 'jobs' in Condor.

{subsection: Configuration}

First, you need to create a new administrative user that will be used to run Excel jobs under.  We assume, for convenience, that this account name is *excel*.

To configure the Excel DCOM object, do the following:

1: Login to the server as a *Administrator*.
1: Click, *Start*, click *Run* and enter *dcomcnfg*.
1: This will bring up the *Component Services* window.
1: Click *Console Root*, click *Component Services*, click *Computers*, finally, click *DCOM Config*.
1: Right click on the *Microsoft Excel Application* component and select *Properties*.
1: In the *General* tab, select *None* in the *Authentication Level* drop-down.
1: In the *Identity* tab, select *This user*, and type the name of the administrative account, *excel*, and its password.
1: Click the *OK* button.

*NOTE:* This will render Excel almost inoperable on this machine for any interactive users.  Also, this was only tested on Vista, requirements of any future or past versions of Windows may differ slightly.

{subsection: Example}

====

*: =excel.simple.sub=:

  universe     = vanilla
  executable   = excel.simple.vbs
  log          = excel.simple.log.txt
  error        = excel.simple.err.txt
  output       = excel.simple.out.txt
  load_profile = true
  queue 1

====

*: =excel.simple.vbs=:

  On Error Resume Next

  WScript.Echo "Creating Excel Application Object"

  Set objExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
  Set objBooks = objExcel.Workbooks

  WScript.Echo "Creating a Workbook"

  Set objWorkbook = objBooks.Add()

  WScript.Echo "Generating Data"

  For i = 1 to 10
      objExcel.Cells(i, 1).Value = i
  Next

  WScript.Echo "Document Filed"

  Set objFS = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
  sCurPath  = objFS.GetAbsolutePathName(".")
  sFileName = sCurPath & "\" & "test.xlsx"

  objWorkbook.SaveAs(sFileName)

  WScript.Echo "Document Saved"

  objWorkbook.Close()

  WScript.Echo "Document Closed"

  objExcel.Quit()
  WScript.Echo "Done"
  WScript.Exit 0

====

{subsection: Test Run}

Let's take a look at what the script returns. First, submit the job:

  C:\condor-jobs\scripts>condor_submit excel.simple.sub
  Submitting job(s).
  Logging submit event(s).
  1 job(s) submitted to cluster 77.

Once the job has completed, dump the output file:

  C:\condor-jobs\scripts>more excel.simple.out.txt
  Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
  Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

  Creating Excel Application Object
  Creating a Workbook
  Generating Data
  Document Filed
  Document Saved
  Document Closed
  Done