How to Use VBA Dir with SharePoint in 3 Minutes (Excel)

Written by Kasper Langmann

The Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Dir function is an incredibly useful tool that allows you to manipulate and manage files in Excel. When combined with SharePoint, a web-based collaborative platform that integrates with Microsoft Office, the possibilities for file management and data manipulation are significantly expanded. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to use VBA Dir with SharePoint in Excel.

Understanding VBA Dir Function

The VBA Dir function is a built-in function in Excel that is used to return the name of a file or a directory that matches a specified pattern. It can be used to check if a particular file or directory exists, to navigate through a series of directories, or to read a set of files in a directory.

One of the key advantages of the VBA Dir function is its ability to handle wildcard characters. This means that you can use symbols like “*” and “?” to represent any series of characters or any single character, respectively. This feature makes the VBA Dir function a powerful tool for file and directory manipulation.

How to Use VBA Dir Function

To use the VBA Dir function, you need to provide a path to the function. The path can be a directory or a file. If the function finds a match, it returns the name of the file or directory. If it doesn’t find a match, it returns an empty string.

Here is a simple example of how to use the VBA Dir function:


Dim strFileName As String
strFileName = Dir("C:UsersYourNameDocuments*")
While strFileName <> ""
    Debug.Print strFileName
    strFileName = Dir
Wend

In this example, the VBA Dir function is used to print the names of all files in the Documents directory.

Understanding SharePoint

SharePoint is a web-based collaborative platform that integrates with Microsoft Office. It is primarily used as a document management and storage system, but the product is highly configurable and its usage varies substantially among organizations.

One of the key features of SharePoint is its ability to create websites. You can use it as a secure place to store, organize, share, and access information from any device. All you need is a web browser, such as Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox.

How to Use SharePoint

To use SharePoint, you first need to create a SharePoint site. Once the site is created, you can start adding content to it. You can add documents, lists, calendars, and other types of information. You can also customize the look and feel of your site.

Here is a simple example of how to create a SharePoint site:


Go to the SharePoint start page.
In the left-hand menu, click on "+ Create site".
In the "Create a site" pane, select "Team site".
Fill in the information for your site and click "Next".
Add members to your site, if desired, and click "Finish".

In this example, a new SharePoint site is created and members are added to it.

Using VBA Dir with SharePoint

Now that we have a basic understanding of both the VBA Dir function and SharePoint, we can explore how to use them together. By using the VBA Dir function with SharePoint, you can automate the process of managing and manipulating files stored in SharePoint.

However, it’s important to note that the VBA Dir function cannot directly access files in SharePoint. This is because SharePoint is a web-based platform and the VBA Dir function is designed to work with the local file system. To overcome this limitation, you need to map your SharePoint library as a network drive in your local system. Once the SharePoint library is mapped as a network drive, you can use the VBA Dir function to access the files in it.

How to Map SharePoint Library as Network Drive

To map your SharePoint library as a network drive, follow these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer and select “This PC”.
  2. Click on the “Computer” tab and select “Map network drive”.
  3. In the “Drive” dropdown, select a drive letter.
  4. In the “Folder” field, enter the URL of your SharePoint library.
  5. Check the “Reconnect at sign-in” box.
  6. Click “Finish”.

Once you’ve mapped your SharePoint library as a network drive, you can use the VBA Dir function to access the files in it, just like you would with any other directory on your local system.

Using VBA Dir with Mapped SharePoint Library

Here is an example of how to use the VBA Dir function with a mapped SharePoint library:


Dim strFileName As String
strFileName = Dir("Z:Documents*")
While strFileName <> ""
    Debug.Print strFileName
    strFileName = Dir
Wend

In this example, the VBA Dir function is used to print the names of all files in the Documents directory of the mapped SharePoint library.

Conclusion

Using the VBA Dir function with SharePoint in Excel can significantly enhance your ability to manage and manipulate files. While there are some limitations due to the web-based nature of SharePoint, these can be overcome by mapping your SharePoint library as a network drive. With this setup, you can automate the process of managing files in SharePoint, saving you time and effort.

Whether you’re an Excel power user looking to streamline your file management processes, or a SharePoint administrator looking to leverage the power of VBA, understanding how to use the VBA Dir function with SharePoint is a valuable skill that can help you get the most out of these powerful tools.