HOWTO: Get a Long Filename from a Short Filename

• Microsoft Visual Basic Professional and Enterprise Editions for Windows, version 5.0
• Standard, Professional, and Enterprise Editions of Microsoft Visual Basic, 32-bit only, for Windows, version 4.0

SUMMARY

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.

MORE INFORMATION

The following code example includes a function that converts short filenames into their long filename equivalents and also includes a simple demonstration of the function's use.

Step-by-Step Example

1. Start Visual Basic. Form1 is created by default.

2. Place a CommandButton on Form1.

3. From the Insert menu, select Module to add a single code module to the project.

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
   
   

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
   
   

6. Choose Start from the Run menu, or press the F5 key to start.

7. Click the CommandButton.

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