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Q163227: HOWTO: Get a Long Filename from a Short Filename

Article: Q163227
Product(s): Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:4.0,5.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): KbVBA kbVBp kbVBp500 kbVBp600 kbGrpDSVB kbDSupport kbVBA500
Last Modified: 11-JAN-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition for Windows, versions 5.0, 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition for Windows, versions 5.0, 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Standard Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
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SUMMARY
=======

The Dir() function can be used to return a long filename but it does not include
path information. By parsing a given short path/filename into its constituent
directories, you can use the Dir() function to build a long path/filename. This
article demonstrates how to accomplish this behavior.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The following code example includes a function that converts short filenames
into their long filename equivalents and also includes a simple demonstration of
the function's use.

Step-by-Step Example
--------------------

1. Start Visual Basic. Form1 is created by default.

2. Place a CommandButton on Form1.

3. From the Insert menu, select Module to add a single code module to the
  project.

4. Add the following code to Module1:

        Public Function GetLongFilename _
          (ByVal sShortName As String) _
          As String

          Dim sLongName As String
          Dim sTemp As String
          Dim iSlashPos As Integer

          'Add \ to short name to prevent Instr from failing
          sShortName = sShortName & "\"

          'Start from 4 to ignore the "[Drive Letter]:\" characters
          iSlashPos = InStr(4, sShortName, "\")

          'Pull out each string between \ character for conversion
          While iSlashPos
            sTemp = Dir(Left$(sShortName, iSlashPos - 1), _
              vbNormal + vbHidden +    vbSystem + vbDirectory)
            If sTemp = "" Then
              'Error 52 - Bad File Name or Number
              GetLongFilename = ""
              Exit Function
            End If
            sLongName = sLongName & "\" & sTemp
            iSlashPos = InStr(iSlashPos + 1, sShortName, "\")
          Wend

          'Prefix with the drive letter
          GetLongFilename = Left$(sShortName, 2) & sLongName

        End Function

5. Add the following to the Command1_Click event:

        Private Sub Command1_Click()

          'Assumes C:\Program Files\Common Files is a valid path
          Print GetLongFilename("C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1")

        End Sub

6. Choose Start from the Run menu, or press the F5 key to start.

7. Click the CommandButton.

If the path you have supplied is valid, the long equivalent will be printed on
the form. If it is not valid, nothing will print, in which case you will need to
supply a valid short filename in the Command1_Click event code.

REFERENCES
==========

Microsoft Visual Basic Online Help

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : KbVBA kbVBp kbVBp500 kbVBp600 kbGrpDSVB kbDSupport kbVBA500 
Technology        : kbVBSearch kbAudDeveloper kbZNotKeyword6 kbZNotKeyword2 kbVB500Search kbVB600Search kbVBA500 kbVBA600 kbVB500 kbVB600 kbVB400Search kbVB400
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0,5.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbhowto

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