WD: WordBasic Macro to Obtain Current Directory Path

ID: Q101693

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Word, you can obtain the current directory by using a macro. The "More Information" section of this article discusses how to create this type of macro in 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/supportnet/refguide/

Word for Windows Versions 6.x-7.x

The Microsoft WordBasic Files$() function can be used to return the current MS-DOS path. The Files$() function returns the first file matching the parameter FileSpec$. A single dot (.) is a special parameter that allows you to obtain the current directory path.

To obtain the current directory and store it in a variable CurrDir$, the following line can be used

   CurrDir$ = Files$(".")

for example:

   Sub MAIN
      CurDir$ = Files$(".")
      MsgBox CurDir$
   End Sub

   -or-

   Sub MAIN
      Directory$ = DefaultDir$(14)
      MsgBox Directory$
   End Sub

Word for Windows 2.x

The Files$(".") function in Word version 2.x for Windows returns the current MS-DOS path with a trailing backslash character (for example, C:\Winword\Docs\). To remove the trailing backslash character, use the Left$ string function, as in the following macro example:

   Sub MAIN
      Path$ = Files$(".")
      CurrentDirectory$ = Left$(Path$, Len(Path$)-1)
      MsgBox "The current directory is " + CurrentDirectory$
   End Sub

REFERENCES

For more information about working with the current directory in WordBasic macros, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q88866
   TITLE     : Macro to Determine If a File Exists on a Disk

"Microsoft Word for Windows and OS/2 Technical Reference," pages 178-179

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

Additional query words: winword2

Keywords          : kbmacro kbprg kbdtacode kbmacroexample winword word6 word7 word95 
Version           : WINDOWS:2.0,2.0a,2.0a-CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.6.0.1a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999