WD97: WordBasic.Files$() Command Adds Quotation Marks to Result

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Visual Basic for Applications WordBasic object in combination with the WordBasic Files$() command and a path that includes spaces, the return value will contain quotation marks. If you attempt to use this return value with another command, you will receive the following error message:

   Run-time error '76': "Path not found."

WORKAROUND

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Use one of the following methods to work around this problem:

Method 1: Remove the extra quotation marks

The following Visual Basic for Applications subroutine, "GetWordBasicPath," retrieves the current path using the WordBasic File$() command. It then calls the function, "RemoveQuotes," that checks to see if the path begins with a quotation mark. If it does, the function strips the beginning and ending quotation marks from the path and returns the value to the calling subroutine. If the path does not contain quotation marks, the original value is returned.

   Sub GetWordBasicPath()
      Dim sPath As String
      sPath = RemoveQuotes(WordBasic.Files$("."))
      MsgBox sPath
   End Sub

   Function RemoveQuotes(sPath As String)
   ' ***********************************************
   ' This function strips extra quotation marks from
   ' the return value when using the WordBasic
   ' Files$() command.
   ' ***********************************************
      ' If the value starts with a quotation mark...
      If Left$(sPath, Length:=1) = Chr$(34) Then
         ' ...remove opening and closing quotation marks.
         RemoveQuotes = Mid$(sPath, Start:=2, Length:=Len(sPath) - 2)
      Else
         ' ...otherwise, return the value as is.
         RemoveQuotes = sPath
      End If
   End Function

Method 2. Use Visual Basic for Applications equivalent commands

In Visual Basic for Applications, use the CurDir and/or the Dir functions instead of the WordBasic object. When you use either of these functions, the value returned does not contain quotation marks. The following example code does not enclose the current path in quotation marks when it stores it in the variable, MyPath:

   Dim MyPath As String
   MyPath = CurDir

For more information about the CurDir Function, from the Visual Basic for Applications Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "CurDir," click Search, and then click to view "CurDir Function."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Visual Basic for Applications 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