Programatically Finding Files

[lucas911]

I'm sure that this is possible:

I have a parent directory that has sub directories. Each sub directory will store certain files in certain formats, i.e. i have 1 directory for excel, 1 for word... and so on. As an example i have a sub directory called FinalDocumentat ion that will store excel files based on my final documentation template.

Every file will have the same convention i.e.
TXX_08-Mar-2007_Final_Docu mentation_Joe_S mith.xls

TXX = client id
08-Mar-2007 = Today's date
Final_Documenta tion = Document Name (Is really the directory it's in)
Joe_Smith = Person who created this file

I'm having this problem: I want the user to enter a client id on a form upon which this function will kick in and search for any files, in my sub directories, that have a TXX and insert them into a temporary table so that i can display them in an datasheet.

I don't need the insert code, i could do that, i would like some assistance in the actual finding of the file.

I know what you will say, i can save these in a table when i create the initial file, but unfortunately this is not an option.

[Rabbit]

Here's some sample code that I use to search the folder the database is in and then populates a textbox with the filenames.

With Application.FileSearch
    Dim length As Integer
    length = Len(Application.CurrentProject.path) + 2
    .NewSearch
    .LookIn = Application.CurrentProject.path
    .SearchSubFolders = False
    .FileName = "Test"
    .MatchTextExactly = False
    .FileType = msoFileTypeDatabases
 
    If .Execute() > 0 Then
        Dim i As Integer
        Dim Files As String
        Files = "'" & Mid(.FoundFiles(1), length) & "'"
        For i = 2 To .FoundFiles.Count
            Files = Files & ";'" & Mid(.FoundFiles(i), length) & "'"
        Next i
        FileList.RowSource = Files
    Else
        FileList.RowSource = "'No Files Found.'"
    End If
End With

[lucas911]

Is your piece of code going to find all the file or only files for a specified client id.

Let's say i only want to search for files that have a TXX.

Only excel and word files will be stored that's all.

[Rabbit]

My code will find all Database files that have the word Test in it.

You can customize the search to your needs by changing the properties.

[NeoPa]

You could put together some code quite easily to use Dir() I would have thought.

Dir Function


Returns a String representing the name of a file, directory, or folder that matches a specified pattern or file attribute, or the volume label of a drive.

Syntax

Dir[(pathname[, attributes])]

The Dir function syntax has these parts:

Part Description
pathname Optional. String expression that specifies a file name — may include directory or folder, and drive. A zero-length string ("") is returned if pathname is not found.
attributes Optional. Constant or numeric expression, whose sum specifies file attributes. If omitted, returns files that match pathname but have no attributes.



Settings

The attributes argument settings are:

Constant Value Description
vbNormal 0 (Default) Specifies files with no attributes.
vbReadOnly 1 Specifies read-only files in addition to files with no attributes.
vbHidden 2 Specifies hidden files in addition to files with no attributes.
VbSystem 4 Specifies system files in addition to files with no attributes. Not available on the Macintosh.
vbVolume 8 Specifies volume label; if any other attributed is specified, vbVolume is ignored. Not available on the Macintosh.
vbDirectory 16 Specifies directories or folders in addition to files with no attributes.
vbAlias 64 Specified file name is an alias. Available only on the Macintosh.