XL97: GetSaveAsFilename Method Returns Extra Character

ID: Q161512

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you use the GetSaveAsFilename or GetOpenFilename methods in a Visual Basic for Applications macro, Microsoft Excel may add a period (.) to the end of the string that is returned. When the period is appended, unexpected results may occur when you use the string as the file name argument for the SaveAs or Open methods.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you do not add a file name extension to the file name that you type into the dialog box provided by GetSaveAsFilename or GetOpenFilename. For example, if you type "Test" (without the quotation marks), GetSaveAsFilename returns "Test." (without the quotation marks). If the macro passes this string to the SaveAs method, the macro does not add a file name extension to the file name when the file is saved. If you type a file name with a file name extension, such as "Test.xls" (without the quotation marks), a period is not added to the end of the string that is returned.

RESOLUTION

When you use the GetSaveAsFilename or GetOpenFilename method, determine whether there is a period at the end of the string that is returned and remove it if it is present. If the rightmost character is a period, strip it from the string before you pass it to the SaveAs method.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

The following sample macro code checks for a trailing period (.) in the string that is returned by the GetSaveAsFilename method. To use the macro, use the following steps:

1. Close and save any open workbooks, and then create a new workbook.

2. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11).

3. On the Insert menu, click Module.

4. Type the following code in the module:

      Sub Test()

          Dim FileIn as String
          Dim Fname as String

          'Display the Dialog box.
          FileIn = Application.GetSaveAsFilename

          'Check for a trailing period.
          If Right(FileIn, 1) = "." Then

              'Remove the period from the string.
              Fname = Left(FileIn, Len(FileIn) - 1)

          Else
              Fname = FileIn
          End If

          'Pass the string Fname to the SaveAs method.
          ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs FileName:=Fname

      End Sub

When you run the macro, it strips the trailing period before the results of GetSaveAsFilename are passed to the SaveAs method.

REFERENCES

For more information about GetSaveAsFilename method, click the Office Assistant, type "getsaveasfilename", click Search, and then click to view "GetSaveAsFilename".

For more information about GetOpenFilename method, click the Office Assistant, type "getopenfilename", click Search, and then click to view "GetOpenFilename".

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Excel Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120802
   TITLE     : Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office
               Program or Component

Additional query words: XL97

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode xlloadsave KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: May 18, 1999