DOCUMENT:Q175512 03-NOV-1997 [vbwin] TITLE :HOWTO: Get a Short Filename from a Long Filename PRODUCT :Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows PROD/VER:WINDOWS:4.0,5.0 OPER/SYS:WINDOWS KEYWORDS:PrgOther vb432 VB4WIN vb5all vb5howto ====================================================================== --------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Visual Basic Control Creation, Learning, Professional, and Enterprise Editions for Windows, version 5.0 - Microsoft Visual Basic Standard, Professional, and Enterprise Editions, 32-bit only, for Windows, version 4.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to get the Short Filename equivalent of a file that has a Long Filename. The example below will allow you to select a file that has a Long Filename and return it's Short Filename using the GetShortPathName API Function call. MORE INFORMATION ================ The following code example includes a function that will convert long filenames into their short 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. Place a Common Dialog control on the form. 4. From the Insert menu, select Module to add a single code module to the project. 5. Add the following code to Module1: Declare Function GetShortPathName Lib "kernel32" _ Alias "GetShortPathNameA" (ByVal lpszLongPath As String, _ ByVal lpszShortPath As String, ByVal cchBuffer As Long) As Long Public Function GetShortName(ByVal sLongFileName As String) As String Dim lRetVal As Long, sShortPathName As String, iLen As Integer 'Set up buffer area for API function call return sShortPathName = Space(255) iLen = Len(sShortPathName) 'Call the function lRetVal = GetShortPathName(sLongFileName, sShortPathName, iLen) 'Strip away unwanted characters. GetShortName = Left(sShortPathName, lRetVal) End Function 6. Add the following code to Form1: Private Sub Command1_Click() Dim msg As String CommonDialog1.FileName = "*.*" CommonDialog1.ShowOpen msg = "Long File Name: " & CommonDialog1.filename & vbCrLf msg = msg & "Short File Name: " & GetShortName(CommonDialog1.filename) MsgBox msg End Sub 7. Run the project by pressing the F5 key. Click on the Command button to show the Open dialog box. Navigate the Open dialog box and find a file that has a Long Filename. Select the file and click OK. 8. The message box will display the Long File name along with its Short File name. ====================================================================== Keywords : PrgOther vb432 VB4WIN vb5all vb5howto Version : WINDOWS:4.0,5.0 Platform : WINDOWS Issue type : kbhowto ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1997.