WD: Macro to Determine If a File Exists on Disk

ID: Q88866

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

SUMMARY

The following sample WordBasic macros determine if a specified file exists in the current folder.

These macros can help you avoid receiving error messages such as "File not found" and "Document does not exist" when you open or delete specific files using WordBasic.

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/

Macro 1: Check the Current Default Directory

   Sub MAIN
      a$ = Files$("TEST.TXT")
      If a$ <> "" Then MsgBox "File Exists", a$
   End Sub

NOTE: The Files$ command returns a null string ("") if the specified file is not found.

Macro 2: Change Current Directory

   Sub MAIN
      ChDir "C:\WinWord"
      a$ = Files$("newmacro.doc")
      If a$ = "NEWMACRO.DOC" Then MsgBox "File Exists", a$
      ' The above file name within the If statement must be uppercase.
   End Sub

NOTE: Word 6 for the Macintosh users should be sure to include a valid Macintosh path, for example:

      "Mac HD:Microsoft Word 6:Test Document"

The following macro tests whether the "Test1.doc" file exists in the current directory before using the WordBasic Kill command to delete the file named Test1.doc.

   Sub MAIN
      a$ = Files$("TEST1.DOC")
      If a$ <> "" Then Kill a$
   End Sub

REFERENCES

"Using WordBasic," by WexTech Systems and Microsoft, page 207

Additional query words: wordcon winword2 files

Keywords          : kbdtacode kbwordvba 
Version           : WINDOWS:1.0,1.1,1.1a,2.0,2.0a,2.0a-CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: April 5, 1999