Can MkDir be used to create a folder with a unique name?

[gojets1721]

So I've got a DB of employees and a query that filters down to one random employee whenever opened.

I am trying to code a function using MkDir that, when executed, it creates a new windows folder in a designated location and names the folder using the employee found in the random query (i.e. "Smith, John").

I've found a guide on how to use MkDir but I can't find anything about designating a unique name for the folder when the VBA is run.

Any thoughts?

 

[theDBguy]

MkDir can make a folder if you give it the name of the folder. So, you need a code to generate that name. If you give us the logic for generating the random name, we can try to translate it into vba.

 

[jdraw]

Suppose you weren't creating a directory/folder, how would you display the unique name?

 

[Isaac]

I've found a guide on how to use MkDir but I can't find anything about designating a unique name for the folder when the VBA is run.

how is that possible? Any "guide on how to use MkDir" will include pretty much the one and only thing you need to know:

MkDir SomeString

What are you having trouble with? What's the problem specifically when you try to use it?

Declare a string variable, assign it a value, then use MkDir StringVariableName

 

[The_Doc_Man]

The only real problem you face is that there are some characters that won't work in a folder name.

Characters to Avoid in Filenames and Directories | Michigan Tech

Your web files will be viewed by numerous users who use a wide variety of operating systems and devices. It is essential to avoid common illegal directory and filename characters.

www.mtu.edu

If you have a guy named Mike Smith and you want to make a folder for him, there is nothing wrong with the name Mike_Smith - except if you have two different Mike Smith employees. Can't make a new folder if another one exists with the same name. How you want to approach THAT problem is strictly up to you.

 

[gojets1721]

Hi all,

I apologize; I forgot to link the guide I used. See here. You'll notice that it provides the ability to create a custom folder name, but I'm not show how to code it so that it pulls from the query.

I'm generating the first and last name by just using a 'select top 1' query. So the query is pulling 1 random staff member each time.

I'm doing this because I have to audit 1 employee each month. I store the audit documents in a folder with their name. So if I have a code that generates a folder with their name, I basically kill two birds with one stone. I identify the employee who needs to be audited and I have a folder with their name already created. The folder is also created in a temp spot. I'd move it somewhere else for long term storage when completed.

 

[moke123]

One simple way of creating a unique name is to append cdbl(date) or cdbl(Now) to the end of the staff name.
The folder name would look like John_Smith_44733 or John_Smith_44733.3882638889

 

[CJ_London]

In your query call your function and pass the name as a parameter to the function

select myfunction([namefield])
From mytable
Where pk=1

 

[Isaac]

One simple way of creating a unique name is to append cdbl(date) or cdbl(Now) to the end of the staff name.
The folder name would look like John_Smith_44733 or John_Smith_44733.3882638889

I also make a habit out of appending dates to filenames. The simplicity - and foolproof nature of it - is unbeatable.
Whether you use a YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format or a number, etc.