How to run .vbs through .bat file to convert .xls to .csv - csv

Question

I am completely new to scripting, so please forgive my ignorance.
(Running Windows 10)
I found a working solution to convert .xls files to .csv using the .vbs from this post:
Convert xls to csv.
The files I'm working with have multiple sheets, and the vbs works by dragging the file(s) onto the vbs file icon to execute. I don't understand how the vbs gets the input arguments. I copied this code posted by Chris Rudd
'Courtesy of Chris Rudd on stackoverflow.com
'Modified by Christian Lemer
'plang
'ScottF
' https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1858195/convert-xls-to-csv-on-command-line
'* Usage: Drop .xl* files on me to export each sheet as CSV
'* Global Settings and Variables
'Dim gSkip
Set args = Wscript.Arguments
For Each sFilename In args
iErr = ExportExcelFileToCSV(sFilename)
' 0 for normal success
' 404 for file not found
' 10 for file skipped (or user abort if script returns 10)
Next
WScript.Quit(0)
Function ExportExcelFileToCSV(sFilename)
'* Settings
Dim oExcel, oFSO, oExcelFile
Set oExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
Set oFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
iCSV_Format = 6
'* Set Up
sExtension = oFSO.GetExtensionName(sFilename)
if sExtension = "" then
ExportExcelFileToCSV = 404
Exit Function
end if
sTest = Mid(sExtension,1,2) '* first 2 letters of the extension, vb's missing a Like operator
if not (sTest = "xl") then
if (PromptForSkip(sFilename,oExcel)) then
ExportExcelFileToCSV = 10
Exit Function
end if
End If
sAbsoluteSource = oFSO.GetAbsolutePathName(sFilename)
sAbsoluteDestination = Replace(sAbsoluteSource,sExtension,"{sheet}.csv")
'* Do Work
Set oExcelFile = oExcel.Workbooks.Open(sAbsoluteSource)
For Each oSheet in oExcelFile.Sheets
sThisDestination = Replace(sAbsoluteDestination,"{sheet}",oSheet.Name)
oExcelFile.Sheets(oSheet.Name).Select
oExcelFile.SaveAs sThisDestination, iCSV_Format
Next
'* Take Down
oExcelFile.Close False
oExcel.Quit
ExportExcelFileToCSV = 0
Exit Function
End Function
Function PromptForSkip(sFilename,oExcel)
if not (VarType(gSkip) = vbEmpty) then
PromptForSkip = gSkip
Exit Function
end if
Dim oFSO
Set oFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
sPrompt = vbCRLF & _
"A filename was received that doesn't appear to be an Excel Document." & vbCRLF & _
"Do you want to skip this and all other unrecognized files? (Will only prompt this once)" & vbCRLF & _
"" & vbCRLF & _
"Yes - Will skip all further files that don't have a .xl* extension" & vbCRLF & _
"No - Will pass the file to excel regardless of extension" & vbCRLF & _
"Cancel - Abort any further conversions and exit this script" & vbCRLF & _
"" & vbCRLF & _
"The unrecognized file was:" & vbCRLF & _
sFilename & vbCRLF & _
"" & vbCRLF & _
"The path returned by the system was:" & vbCRLF & _
oFSO.GetAbsolutePathName(sFilename) & vbCRLF
sTitle = "Unrecognized File Type Encountered"
sResponse = MsgBox (sPrompt,vbYesNoCancel,sTitle)
Select Case sResponse
Case vbYes
gSkip = True
Case vbNo
gSkip = False
Case vbCancel
oExcel.Quit
WScript.Quit(10) '* 10 Is the error code I use to indicate there was a user abort (1 because wasn't successful, + 0 because the user chose to exit)
End Select
PromptForSkip = gSkip
Exit Function
End Function
This works well for my needs, but I want to run it hourly and save the .csv files to a new directory.
I tried to run the .vbs using the Task Scheduler, but it only opens the file in my text editor, it doesn't execute. My thought was to create a .batch file that runs the .vbs. I thought I could call the .vbs with PowerShell commands like this:
Start "XlsToCsv"
Start "XlsToCsv.vbs"
But both of those have the same effect of opening the .vbs in the text editor.
Perhaps a simpler question is, "How do I run a .vbs file from the PowerShell or the Command Prompt?"
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

This method works consistently in the batch environment, however cannot use doublequotes as would be advisable for filepaths with spaces.
Start filepath\name.vbs
no Doublequotes.
This method works Consistently in cmd.exe console, however fails in .bat programs:
WSscript.exe "filepath\name.vbs"

Answer 2

Wscript/Window Script host provides an environment to execute scripts in a variety of languages and Cscript starts a script in command line environment.
So, If you want to run your script in console use cscript.exe and wscript.exe if you don't want the console window. So, as T3RR0R mentioned you need to use WScript command to run it.
Sometimes, executing a VBscript in windows opens text editor rather than running it. This is due to changes in the default file associations. Some time antivirus will also do this in order to protect your system. In that case, you need to change the registry check this link https://superuser.com/questions/1108349/change-default-program-for-opening-vbs-files

Answer 3

Take look in this file.gif:
I'm understood that this only works if you're using the file vbs by Drag and Drop passing as arguments...
You can see instructions left by author about how to use in the vbs in 7rd line:
Drop .xl* files on me to export each sheet as CSV
Obs.: .xl* is equal to "any file with (.xl)"+any" == *.xlsx, *.xlsm...
Take look in this file.gif that you can see how to pass arguments in vbs, (is the same to cmd & bat) files by Drag and Drop:
This file.png show how to use arguments with the
The code you have tried are not using/passing any arguments (parameters), without pass any arguments, (one or more files) this will always fail!
If you need try using some like:
"XlsToCsv.vbs" "one_file_dot.extensio_equal_xlsx_.xlsx" "one_more_another_file_dot.extensio_equal_xlsx_too.xlsx"
rem :: observing if you are try in a different folder where the vbs + xlsx file are, try this:
"d:\folder\where\vbs\are\XlsToCsv.vbs" "d:\folder\where\xlsx\file1\are\1file_dot.extension_equal_xlsx_.xlsx" "d:\folder\where\xlsx\file1\are\one\more\are\too\one_more_another_file_dot.extensio_equal_xlsx_too.xlsx"
__
This is who I have using your vbs files in same folder where the files **.xlsx* are, so, no need passing the drive\folder path:
wscript 58924333.vbs "012019.xlsx" "022019.xlsx"
rem :: or ::
cscript 58924333.vbs "012019.xlsx" "022019.xlsx"
So sorry my limited English