MY FileExists function

[filburt1]

Since in the last few days there have been (for some reason) a lot of questions about whether a file exists, try this:

Public Function FileExists(Filename As String, _
        Optional TreatDirAsFile As Boolean = False) As Boolean
' Returns true if Filename exists. If Filename is a directory and
' TreatDirAsFile is true then the function will also return true.
' Similarly if the file is really a directory and TreatDirAsFile is false
' then the function will return false.
 
    On Error Goto FileIOError ' catch a 404
 
    Dim Attributes As Integer
    Attributes = GetAttr(Filename) ' will throw an error if it doesn't exist
    If Attributes = vbDirectory And Not TreatDirAsFile Then
        FileExists = False ' it's a directory but that's not cool
    Else
        FileExists = True ' it's a directory but we said that's cool
    End If
    
    Exit Function
    
    FileIOError:
        FileExists = False ' error thrown at GetAttr, file doesn't exist
End Function

The TreatDirAsFile will make the function return true if Filename is a directory. But I haven't tested it, does it work?

[DaoK]

Can I know why you do not have vb?

[filburt1]

I'm at work and I refuse to open the VBA editor.

[DaoK]

It work LIKE A CHARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's so damn sexy!!! but that code in your tips page

[filburt1]

I think I will...later. I'm going to wait for TurtleTips.com to go live first before I do more web stuff probably.

[filburt1]

Anybody else care to comment or see a bug?

[MartinLiss]

Not bugs, but I would add some code the make sure what was in Filename. In other words, check to see if it's something like "C:\path\myfile" or just "myfile". I might also consider returning a long with the following values:

-1 means file does not exist
0 means file exists
any other value is the err.number in case an error occurs.

[nishantp]

Uhh i was just wondering why you can't use the Dir() function? It seems to support UHC paths and everything...?

[filburt1]

It will say that the file "*" exists and other stuff.

[nishantp]

Originally posted by filburt1
It will say that the file "*" exists and other stuff.

What?

[filburt1]

The Dir() function works for filters, so if you asked if the file "*.txt" exists then it will return true, even though "*.txt" isn't a valid filename because of the wildcard.

And let's not even mention the FSO.