Display a select folder dialog box in VB6

by Peter Aitken | Dec 15, 2005 3:30:00 PM

Tags: Microsoft development tools, Peter Aitken, Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, Visual Basic Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: VB6's Microsoft Shell and Automation Component allows you to select a folder. Follow Peter Aitken's instructions in this tip to learn how to show a particular folder's dialog box.

VB6's Common Dialog control makes it easy to let the user select a file, but what about selecting a folder? This is also easy to do with the Microsoft Shell and Automation component.

First, add a reference to this component, which is located in Shell32.dll, to your project. You'll also need declarations in your code. View Listing A to see the declarations.

Then create an instance of the Shell class:

Set shlShell = New Shell32.Shell

Finally, display the dialog box and return the result:

Set shlFolder = shlShell.BrowseForFolder(Me.hWnd, "Select a Folder", _
    BIF_RETURNONLYFSDIRS)

Now the selected folder is available in the property shlFolder.Title.

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Using BrowserForFolder tipsimon.conway-smith@...  | 12/16/05

Lacks detail-very sketchyphilip29@...  | 12/16/05

So how do you add the reference?thomas.bihn@...  | 12/16/05

OK here's how to make this workChuckSomerville  | 12/16/05

previously confuseddon-supportguy  | 12/16/05

Handle the Cancel buttondoug.pocius@...  | 12/16/05

RE: Handle the Cancl buttona_espadas  | 07/30/08

Setting initial folderettiennes@...  | 02/09/06

Setting Root Foldermartius.mesquita@...  | 04/19/06

How can I make "My Computer" has rootmnarewec@...  | 09/21/07

Selecting the desktop.Amahdy  | 09/02/07

RE: Display a select folder dialog box in VB6adnanafridi86@...  | 01/04/08