XL2000: The GetSaveAsFilename Method Returns an Extra Character

When you use the GetSaveAsFilename or GetOpenFilename methods in a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications macro, Microsoft Excel may add a period (.) to the end of the string that is returned. When the period is appended, you may receive unexpected results when you use the string as the file name argument for the SaveAs or Open methods.

This behavior can occur if you do not add a file name extension to the file name that you type in the dialog box provided by GetSaveAsFilename or GetOpenFilename. For example, if you type Test, GetSaveAsFilename returns "Test." (without the quotation marks). If the macro passes this string to the SaveAs method, the macro does not add a file name extension to the file name when the file is saved. If you type a file name with a file name extension, such as Test.xls, a period is not added to the end of the string that is returned.

To work around this issue, when you use the GetSaveAsFilename or GetOpenFilename method, determine whether there is a period at the end of the string that is returned. If the rightmost character is a period, strip it from the string before you pass it to the SaveAs method.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs.
If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or Microsoft Advisory Services. For more information, visit these Microsoft Web sites:

Microsoft Certified Partners - https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

Microsoft Advisory Services - http://support.microsoft.com/gp/advisoryservice

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS The following sample macro code checks for a trailing period (.) in the string that is returned by the GetSaveAsFilename method. To create the macro, follow these steps:

1. Close and save any open workbooks, and then create a new workbook.
2. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11).
3. On the Insert menu, click Module.
4. Type or paste the following code in the module:

   Sub Test()
   
      Dim FileIn as String
      Dim Fname as String
   
      'Display the Dialog box.
      FileIn = Application.GetSaveAsFilename
   
      'Check for a trailing period.
      If Right(FileIn, 1) = "." Then
   
      'Remove the period from the string.
      Fname = Left(FileIn, Len(FileIn) - 1)
   
      Else
         Fname = FileIn
      End If
   
      'Pass the string Fname to the SaveAs method.
      ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs FileName:=Fname
   
   End Sub
   					

When you run the macro, it strips the trailing period before the results of GetSaveAsFilename are passed to the SaveAs method.

For more information about the GetSaveAsFilename method, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type getsaveasfilename method example in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For more information about the GetOpenFilename method, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type getopenfilename method in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.