Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Finding the Path to the Desktop.
Donald is writing a macro in which he needs to reference a user's desktop. However, the path to the desktop necessarily varies from system to system and user to user. He wonders what coding he can use to determine the path to the desktop regardless of system.
There are several ways to find the path to the desktop in VBA. One way is to call the Windows scripting host, in this manner:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: 
Function GetDesktop() As String
Dim oWSHShell As Object
Set oWSHShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
GetDesktop = oWSHShell.SpecialFolders("Desktop")
Set oWSHShell = Nothing
End Function
Note that this is a user-defined macro that you can use either from the worksheet or from another macro. The use from the worksheet would be as follows:
=GetDesktop()
Another way to determine the path to the desktop is to use the following line in your code:
sPath = Environ("USERPROFILE") & "\Desktop"
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8233) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Finding the Path to the Desktop.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
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2017-08-28 08:57:34
Raj
It is wonderful. Thanks for the simple tip.
2016-08-20 05:10:32
Mehdi
Thanks
2015-10-14 12:59:46
Good very usefull thnks guys
2015-10-13 09:45:14
Keith
Awesome Tip!
Small issue. I needed to add an ending slash before adding the file name. But it was wonderful.
sPath = Environ("USERPROFILE") & "Desktop"
2015-10-09 07:26:55
Calvin
Thanks Allen! Helped a lot
2015-10-06 15:41:26
Carlos
Thanks from Brazil!
2015-07-21 15:01:40
Daniel
I used this part:
sPath = Environ("USERPROFILE") & "Desktop"
and it worked great for my devices! Thank you so much!
2014-11-12 14:11:01
Diana
Just what I need :)
thanks
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