MS Access – VBA – Rename a File

Ever simply needed to rename a file? Well, once again there are a multitude of ways to accomplish this within MS Access. I have seen numerous postings suggest using a scripting object and then copy the file while renaming the copied version. To me, if all you need is to rename the file, this is a uselessly complicated method. Instead, why not simply use the Name Statement? It can all be accomplished in one clean line of code!!!

Name "C:\OldFileName" AS "C:\NewFileName"

Actually, you can even use the Name command to move and rename a file simultaneously.

Name "C:\OldDir\OldFileName" AS "C:\NewDir\NewFileName"

As you can see this is another versatile command to be aware of.

12 responses on “MS Access – VBA – Rename a File”

  1. Carl Sweetland

    Hi,

    I’ve used this method in the past, but it is now failing.

    My line of code looks like this:
    Name sOldFile As sNewFile

    I get the following error:
    Run-Time error ‘5’:
    Invalid procedure call or argument

    When I hover over Name it states “Microsoft Access”

    Do you need a reference for this function?

    1. admin Post author

      What vesion of Access are you running. Name is a built-in statement and should not require any extra references to work.
      There is one notable limitation: “it can only rename an existing directory or folder when both OldPathName and NewPathName are located on the same drive”.

    2. bart kuijer

      I tried this:(Gadm=”C:\Users\bku\bestanden\test” )
      gs1 = Gadm & “.babs”
      gs2 = Gadm & “,accdb”
      Name gs2 As gs1
      but it does not work

      1. Daniel Pineault Post author

        The 1st things that jumps out at me are:

        • You’re missing the trailing slash on your path
        • gs2 has a typo (, instead of .)
        • You’re not supplying a file name, just an extension?

        It helps to show the full procedure so we can see your declarations.

        I’d try something more like:

        Dim Gadm As String
Dim gs1 As String
Dim gs2 As String

Gadm = "C:\Users\bku\bestanden\test"
gs1 = Gadm & "\file1.babs"
gs2 = Gadm & "\file1.accdb"
Name gs2 As gs1

        This assumes gs2 exists and you’re renaming it to file1.accdb.

        Obviously, you need to replace ‘file1’ with the actual name of your file.

  2. TCheck

    I have directories and files with spaces in them, how would i rename these? When I do try Name “C:\Old Dir\OldFileName” As “C:\New Dir\NewFileName” it tells me it can not find the file, I take out the spaces and it works great.

    1. admin Post author

      Not too sure what to tell you. I did a few tests and they all worked for me just fine.

      Name “C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My test dir\My Test2.txt” AS “C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My test dir\My Test.txt”
      Name “C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My test dir” AS “C:\Users\Daniel\Documents\My test dir2”

      I saw no diffirence whether or not there were, or were not any spaces.

      The only thing I can possibly see is your example does not include the extension of the file, perhaps it was an oversight in the post, but worth checking.

      Name “C:\Old Dir\OldFileName.ext” As “C:\New Dir\NewFileName.ext”

  3. patrick

    I had the same issue. The program interpret ‘Name’ as variable instead of a command.
    Access 2007, macro within a form .

  6. Musuza Henry

    Hi,
    How come this line is not working
    Name “D:\Students\” Like “myPic*” As “D:\Students\myNewPic.jpg”
    I have tried my best but failed

    1. Daniel Pineault Post author

      Because you’ve added a ‘Like “myPic”‘ into the command.

      The command is
      Name BeforeName AS AfterName
      you can’t do anything else, modify, …