FileMustExist

Returns or sets whether the Open dialog lets the user choose only the name of a file that exists.

Syntax: object.FileMustExist [ = boolean ]

object

required An object expression that evaluates to a cDialog.

boolean

A Boolean. True sets OFN_FILEMUSTEXIST. The default is True.

Remarks

Only ShowOpen uses the property. ShowSave never sets OFN_FILEMUSTEXIST, and Windows documents the flag for Open dialogs only, so FileMustExist has no effect on a Save As dialog. ShowBrowseForFolder ignores it too.

With True, a name that the user types and that does not exist, such as nosuch.txt, makes Windows show the box File not found. Check the file name and try again., and the Open dialog stays open. Windows documents that the flag also applies OFN_PATHMUSTEXIST. With False, ShowOpen returns the path of a file that does not exist, and does not create the file, so the caller has to be ready to meet a missing file.

With CreatePrompt True, the question of that property is asked in place of the box, whether FileMustExist is True or False.

Example

Dim dlg As New cDialog
Debug.Print dlg.FileMustExist   ' True

dlg.FileMustExist = False
Debug.Print dlg.FileMustExist   ' False

This example lets the Open dialog return a name that does not exist, and creates the file when it is missing.

Dim dlg As New cDialog
Dim path As String

dlg.FileMustExist = False
path = dlg.ShowOpen()
If Len(path) > 0 Then
    If Len(Dir$(path)) = 0 Then
        Open path For Output As #1
        Close #1
    End If
End If

See Also

• PathMustExist property – the check on the folder of the name
• CreatePrompt property – asks before a name that does not exist is accepted
• ShowOpen method – shows the Open dialog
• cDialog class – overview