How to Use a File Dialog in MS Access to Allow Users to Pick a File or Folder

In this episode, we'll take a look at how to let users choose a file or folder in their file system in order to get the path so that we can use it in our application. This example will show how to allow for single or multiple file selections, and we'll put the file paths into a text file and show them in a message box.
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How to Use a File Dialog in MS Access to Allow Users to Pick a File or Folder
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[@RAVICHANDRANR-d6u]

Where can we view the upload documents?

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

The file dialog only returns the selected document. Only after you copy from one place to another do you see the upload.

[@Craigybabes6]

This is a great feature, thank you. How would you get the UNC filepath when selecting a file from a network drive. At the moment I just get the mapped drive letter.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

No problem! When you open the Dialog, try browsing to the file using the Network location instead of the drive letter.

[@neilbarnes9004]

Thanks

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Many thanks!

[@interestingamerican3100]

Excellent explanation! TH-cam needs to promote more of this content.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Much appreciated!

[@GunnerEshzurale-ph7bc]

This is really a good concept for file browser/manager. I had incorporated this function into my database which enables me to upload the link for all the documents related to my client (contract, lpo, work order, etc)

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Nice! That's a great use for this function. Once you get it, it can automate so many things.

[@menkiz123]

How would I open the file I am picking from the above...using the path stored in the text file?

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

You can use Application.FollowHyperlink strFilepath in order to open the file you found in file dialog. If Filepath has spaces in it, you may need to put quotes around it, using double double quotes or Chr(34). ie.
Application.FollowHyperlink Chr(34) & strFilePath & Chr(34)

[@petewarby7158]

Unreal. Without even knowing it this is exactly what i cab use in a Db i am making to track orders and finances for my wife's upcoming business. It's a fantastic way of my keeping the size of the Db down and making it easy for her to grab the images she wants to link to. Brilliant. Brilliant.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Awesome! Glad that will work for you 👍

[@stampap2551]

Great Video!!! Very helpful! Is there a way to extend this operation by having the ability to additionally copy the selected file to another folder of our choice? Thank you in advance!

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, you can, by using the FileCopy statement after selection, ie:
FileCopy sourcefilepath, destinationfilepath

[@pathtolightbd]

Great tutorial on Access programming. Could you pls consider uploading a similar video on backing up the backend DB from within frontend ACCESS APPLICATION to a selected drive, folder and so on..Thanks

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Thanks, I'll add that to my list!

[@Ziahasan222]

Sir how can i transfer my selected file to current project folder.. Plz do a video so we can learn more. Thanks you.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Using file dialog, you will get the file name. Then you can use FileCopy command to copy from your Dialog selected location to your project file location.

[@MaraingMuong168]

Dear Sir I want to learn Copy File Folder from one destination to another Destination in Access. please help to teach with this lesson Copy File

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

You can use FileCopy command in VBA. In a VBA Sub just type FileCopy then space and the IDE will tell you the options - Source file, Destination etc.

[@MaraingMuong168]

@@seanmackenziedataengineering Thank you Sir, Could you please 🥺 Teach by Creat Videos Step by Step for FileCopy Lesson ☺️

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

@@MaraingMuong168 I’ll put it on my list!

[@JCBrownVideos]

Excellent! Could you please explain how to get just the filename without the path to put in a field? Thank you.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

You can parse it out something like:
strFile = .SelectedItems(1)
arFile = Split(strFile, "\")
strFile = arFile(UBound(arFile))
strFile will just be the selected file name.

[@JCBrownVideos]

@@seanmackenziedataengineering HI and thank you. In the meantime, I found another way, using the Dir function. So, Me!txtFile = Dir(.SelectedItems(1)) does the job. Dir returns just the filename without the path. I also noticed that exiting without selecting a file returned an error. I added in an If Then End If.

[@AReelLife]

Nice video, well paced. I've been using SHBrowseForFolder and my bugabear is setting an initial directory.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Glad it helped!

[@colinmiles1052]

Truly brilliant! Just what I wanted to achieve. Thank you.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Awesome! Glad that worked :-)

[@dbdata9836]

10/10

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

thanks!

[@josemariavicentetascon8428]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you for Sharing your knowledge.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

My pleasure!

[@miles6875]

Very valuable topic, thanks Sean

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Much appreciated!

[@felipescherer6678]

Simple and clear explanations. Thanks for sharing!

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Alejandra-mu2ys]

Great video!!!!!

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Thanks!!

[@Ziahasan222]

Thank you Sir.

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

Welcome!

[@dbdata9836]

thanks Mr

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

No problem!

[@dbdata9836]

great

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

thanks!

[@andriyos_]

if click the button "Get File" and close the window without selecting a folder, then the error message "The expression you entered has an invalid reference to the Parent property" will appear. How to fix this error?

[@seanmackenziedataengineering]

You can trap the error by putting error handling on the procedure. Determine which error number it is, then either disregard it or give a custom message: th-cam.com/video/13aFUK7tmus/w-d-xo.html

[@andriyos_]

@@seanmackenziedataengineering Thank you very much. it helped))