XL: GetOpenFilename Method Is Different in MS Excel for Win 95 and MS Excel 97

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c

SYMPTOMS

The Visual Basic for Applications GetOpenFilename method works differently in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95 and later than in Microsoft Excel version 5.0. Also, the Help file entry on GetOpenFilename in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0 and Microsoft Excel 97, is not complete on how the FileFilter argument affects the method.

CAUSE

The FileFilter argument for the GetOpenFilename method contains two parts. In Microsoft Excel, version 5.0, the first part, which is before the comma, appears in the "List Files of Type:" field in the File Open dialog box. The second filter, which is after the comma, appears in the File Name field of the dialog box and is the part that actually affects what files are shown. If you leave out the second part, the function shows all files. The first part has no effect on what files are shown. It can be anything. Therefore, you must make sure the two parts match, because you could have a filter in the "List Files of Type:" field that does not match the list of files shown.

In Microsoft Excel for Windows 95 and Microsoft Excel 97, the Filefilter argument affects the GetOpenFilename differently. The entire Filefilter string appears in the Files Of Type field. The first part has the effect of determining what files will be listed. The first part will do this even if the second part is different. The second part of the Filefilter argument (the part after the comma) does not determine the list of files displayed unless it is used by itself. The first part takes precedence.

Additionally, characters before a wildcard ("*") are fully recognized in Microsoft Excel, version 5.0. In Microsoft Excel for Windows 95 and Microsoft Excel 97, characters before a wildcard are only recognized in the file extension, not in the file name. Any filter with characters before a wildcard in the file name is ignored. This means something like "Test*.*" does not work as a Filefilter in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95 and Microsoft Excel 97. It shows no file filter in the open dialog box and lists all files in the current folder (directory).

WORKAROUND

For simplification, in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95 and Microsoft Excel 97, you can use the first filter as if it were the only filter. However, you must include the comma to avoid a syntax error. Also, you should avoid characters before a wildcard in the file name.

For example, use the following format in the module code:

fileFilter:="Text Files (*.txt),"

MORE INFORMATION

The examples below depict the differences between the two versions when running variations of GetOpenFilename. Each example contains a macro that can either be run in Microsoft Excel 5.0, Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, or in Microsoft Excel 97. The comments before each macro describe the results you receive in each of the three versions.

Visual Basic Code Examples

Example 1

   Sub Example1()
      x = Application.GetOpenFilename _
         (fileFilter:="Text Files (test*.*),test*.*")
   End Sub 

Example 2

   Sub Example2()
       x = Application.GetOpenFilename _
          (fileFilter:="Text Files (*.txt),*.xls")
   End Sub 

Example 3

   Sub Example3()
      x = Application.GetOpenFilename _
         (fileFilter:="Text Files (*.txt),")
   End Sub 

Example 4

   Sub Example4()
      x = Application.GetOpenFilename _
         (fileFilter:="Text Files (bob*.txt),bob*.txt")
   End Sub 

Example 5

   Sub Example5()
      x = Application.GetOpenFilename _
         (fileFilter:="Text Files (*.tx*),*.tx*")
   End Sub 

Example 6

   Sub Example6()
      x = Application.GetOpenFilename(",*.txt")
   End Sub 

STATUS

REFERENCES

Microsoft Excel 97

Q120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Microsoft Excel for Windows 95

GetOpenFilename

Additional query words: 5.00c 7.00a XL97 8.00

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :