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.

Finding the Path to the Desktop

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated December 15, 2015)

12

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:

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:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the ExcelTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

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.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is six more than 2?

2020-01-23 15:12:28

Alan Elston

@Samer Kurdi

I know of one way to do this, ……

You can use a typical recursion technique to search all your folders.

For example :
excelfox . c o m / forum/showthread.php/2407-Notes-tests-Excel-VBA-Folder-File-Search?p=12095&viewfull=1#post12095

Alan Elston

2020-01-23 07:45:13

Alan Elston

@Samer Kurdi

I know of one way to do this, ……

You can use a typical recursion technique to search all your folders.

For example :
excelfox . c o m / forum/showthread.php/2407-Notes-tests-Excel-VBA-Folder-File-Search?p=12095&viewfull=1#post12095

Alan Elston

2020-01-22 03:52:57

Samer Kurdi

I tried this one
sPath = Environ("USERPROFILE") & "\Desktop"

It didn't work for me, because I had moved my desktop to another location.
Is there a way to find the 'actual' placement?

2019-11-15 05:01:57

Gordon Prince

Very helpful. Thanks.

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

Fernando Romero

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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