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.
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The following code example includes a function that will convert short
filenames into their long filename equivalents and also includes a simple
demonstration of the function's use.
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Step-by-Step Example
| 1. | Start Visual Basic. Form1 is created by default.
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| 2. | Place a Command button onto Form1.
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| 3. | From the Insert menu, select Module to add a single code module to
the project.
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| 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
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| 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
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| 6. | Choose Start from the Run menu, or press the F5 key to start.
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| 7. | Click the Command button.
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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.
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