Import the results of Windows XP's Tree command into Word

by Greg Shultz | Mar 07, 2007 8:00:00 AM

Tags: Greg Shultz, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows, graphical tree structure, dialog box, tree structure, hard drive, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Using the Tree command to research your folders on your Windows XP hard disk can give you results fast—too fast for your eye to catch. Here's how to use Word to create a Tree you can read in detail and at your own pace.

To find out how many folders there are on your Windows XP hard disk, you can open a Command Prompt and use the Tree command. You'll get a very nice looking graphical tree structure showing all the folders on your hard disk. The only problem is that the display will scroll by your screen so fast and exceed the buffer size, so you'll never be able to see it.

Instead, try using the old MS-DOS pipe to funnel the output of the Tree command to an RTF (Rich Text Format) file. You can then import that RTF file into a specially formatted Word document and have the same graphical tree structure showing all the folders on your hard disk in a document. Here's how:

1. Open a Command Prompt window.
2. Use the CD \ command to access the root folder.
3. Type Tree > Tree.rtf
4. Close the Command Prompt window.
5. Launch Word and open a new document.
6. Go to File | Page Setup.
7. In the Page Setup dialog box, choose the Landscape Orientation, and set the left and right margins to 0.
8. Click OK and click the Ignore button in the margins warning dialog box.
9. Go to Insert | File.
10. In the Insert File dialog box, locate the Tree.rtf file and click the Insert button.
11. In the File Conversion dialog box, select the MS-DOS option and click OK.

You can save the document and then scroll through the graphical tree structure showing all the folders on your hard disk.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

same result, barely different technique Neon Samurai | 03/07/07

May require admin rights DotJock | 03/08/07

good and bad Neon Samurai | 03/08/07

not very pleasing results with your suggestion deICERAY | 03/08/07

here I thought I was being all smart and stuff Neon Samurai | 03/08/07

Just use ascii characters justme@... | 03/08/07

Use proper file conversion mwlahn.subscriptions@... | 03/08/07

How to fix ugly results sethlev@... | 03/08/07

not very pleasing results with your suggestion digital_world2001@... | 03/10/07

Wrong Font JackOfAllTech | 05/09/07

Easier barry@... | 03/08/07

Leading AAAAA labasa_1@... | 03/11/07

Follow the original tip Greg Shultz | 03/11/07

Cool! Here's a Freemind alternative Pseudo8 | 03/07/07

Also, AccessTree, JDirPrinter Neon Samurai | 03/08/07

List ALL files as well as folders? kayd4774@... | 03/08/07

other options deICERAY | 03/08/07

Verbos without "> file.ext" Neon Samurai | 03/08/07

tree /? mwlahn.subscriptions@... | 03/08/07

I didn't want to say RTFOH but... jruby | 03/08/07

dos command DIR daarka@... | 03/08/07

Yes.. ddmcp2000@... | 03/08/07

Use the parameter /f to get file names justme@... | 03/08/07

Oops - insert "/" before the "?" tree /? justme@... | 03/08/07

That's not a pipe, it's a redirect pinroot | 03/08/07

Use ZD's TreePrint instead Palmetto | 03/08/07

karenware davide@... | 03/08/07

Not Free... Lost Cause? | 03/08/07

Lost Cause, I apologize Palmetto | 03/09/07

Hidden folders sethlev@... | 03/08/07

DIR command NickNielsen | 03/08/07

good old dir ah s Neon Samurai | 03/08/07

Not in the tree option ddmcp2000@... | 03/08/07

I just wanted to say thanks for this DanLM | 03/08/07

Do all drives and files GreyTech | 03/10/07