VBA allows us access to the windows environment to rename a file. In this post, we will look at 5 examples of renaming files with VBA.
Contents
Rename a File VBA
To rename a file with VBA we use the Name command.
Example 1: Renaming a file
This example renames a file from Example File.xlsx to Example File Renamed.xlsx.
Sub VBARenameFile() Name "C:\Users\marks\Documents\Example File.xlsx" As _ "C:\Users\marks\Documents\Example File Renamed.xlsx" End Sub
Example 2: Rename a file based on cell values
In this example, we rename a file based on cell values. The screenshot below shows the current file name in Cell C2 and the new file name in Cell C4.
We can run the following macro to rename a file using these cell values.
Sub VBARenameFileSheetNames() Name ActiveSheet.Range("C2") As _ ActiveSheet.Range("C4") End Sub
Example 3: Move a file with the Name command
Did you notice the Name command requires the file path and file name? Therefore, this command doesn’t just rename but can also move files. For example, the code below will move the file from C:\Users\marks\Documents\ to C:\Users\marks\, but the file name remains the same.
Sub VBAMoveFile() Name "C:\Users\marks\Documents\Example File.xlsx" As _ "C:\Users\marks\Example File.xlsx" End Sub
Example 4: Avoiding errors when renaming files
Moving files can trigger errors; these are detailed in the section below. To avoid going through the Visual Basic error debugging process, we can display a message box with an OK button.
Sub VBAAdvancedRenameFile() 'Create variables to hold file names Dim filePath As String Dim newFilePath As String filePath = "C:\Users\marks\Documents\Example File.xlsx" newFilePath = "C:\Users\marks\Documents\Example File Renamed.xlsx" 'Ignore errors On Error Resume Next 'Rename file Name filePath As newFilePath 'Display message if error occured If Err.Number <> 0 Then MsgBox Prompt:="Unable to rename file", Buttons:=vbOK, _ Title:="Rename file error" End If 'Turn error checking back on On Error GoTo 0 End Sub
Example 5: Reusable function
Finally, let’s create a reusable function. The VBA function below accepts two arguments the existing file path and the new file path.
Function fxRenameFile(filePath As String, newFilePath As String) 'Ignore errors On Error Resume Next 'Rename file Name filePath As newFilePath 'Display message if error occured If Err.Number <> 0 Then fxRenameFile = False Else fxRenameFile = True End If 'Turn error checking back on On Error GoTo 0 End Function
We can use this function in two ways.
- Calling the function from another macro
- Calling the function from a worksheet
Let’s look at both of these in turn.
Calling the function from a macro
The macro below calls the function and displays a message box
- True = File renamed
- False = Error occurred.
Sub CallFunction() 'Create variables to hold file names Dim filePath As String Dim newFilePath As String filePath = "C:\Users\marks\Documents\Example File.xlsx" newFilePath = "C:\Users\marks\Documents\Example File Renamed.xlsx" 'True = File Renamed 'False = Error Occured MsgBox fxRenameFile(filePath, newFilePath) End Sub
Calling the function from a worksheet
Alternatively, we can call the function just like a normal worksheet function.
Look at the screenshot above, our custom function is used in Cell C6:
=fxRenameFile(C2,C4)
TRUE indicates that the file named in Cell C2 has been successfully renamed to the file named in Cell C4. If we run the function a second time, it will show FALSE, as the file has already been renamed.
Be aware the function executes each time cells C2 or C4 change, so be careful with the order in which you update the cells.
Possible errors
If we try to rename a file or folder path that does not exist, it triggers an error: Run-time error’53’: File not found.
If the new file name is the same as an existing one, it triggers the following error: Run-time error ’58’: File already exists.
Notes on renaming files
We have used Excel workbooks in the examples, but we can use any file type. Also, we are not restricted to files; we can also rename folders using the Name command.
The Name command is core Visual Basic code. Therefore, it exists in other applications supporting VBA, such as Word and PowerPoint.
For more VBA code examples of managing files, check out this post: VBA code to copy, move, delete and manage files.
Also, check out our VBA code library for hundreds of reusable code snippets.
About the author
Hey, I’m Mark, and I run Excel Off The Grid.
My parents tell me that at the age of 7 I declared I was going to become a qualified accountant. I was either psychic or had no imagination, as that is exactly what happened. However, it wasn't until I was 35 that my journey really began.
In 2015, I started a new job, for which I was regularly working after 10pm. As a result, I rarely saw my children during the week. So, I started searching for the secrets to automating Excel. I discovered that by building a small number of simple tools, I could combine them together in different ways to automate nearly all my regular tasks. This meant I could work less hours (and I got pay raises!). Today, I teach these techniques to other professionals in our training program so they too can spend less time at work (and more time with their children and doing the things they love).
Do you need help adapting this post to your needs?
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But, if you're still struggling you should:
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