FileSearch strictness issue

Question

I'm currently trying to search directories for any file labelled "??.??.????.xls" (for mm.dd.yyyy.xls). The problem I have is that the code I'm using also matches filenames such as "my-restaurant.12.01.2006.xls". I only want to match filenames with specifically the notation I used above.

Dim Invoices As FileSearch
Set Invoices = Application.FileSearch

With Invoices
    .Filename = "??.??.????.xls"
    ' invDir is a directory I chose earlier on
    .LookIn = invDir
    .SearchSubFolders = True
    .MatchTextExactly = True
End With

Is there something I'm missing? I know I could do yet another check in my code elsewhere to make sure the filename's length is 14 characters, but is there a parameter I'm not considering in the FileSearch?

Answer 1

Try using the NewSearch method like so:

Dim Invoices As FileSearch
Set Invoices = Application.FileSearch

With Invoices
    .NewSearch
    .Filename = "??.??.????.xls"
    '' invDir is a directory I chose earlier on
    .LookIn = invDir
    .SearchSubFolders = True
    .MatchTextExactly = True
End With

The remarks in the documentation lead me to believe that the search criteria has not been set/reset:

Search criteria settings are retained throughout an application session. Use this method every time you change search criteria. This method will not reset the value of the LookIn property.

Answer 2

After some research and toying around I conclude that an exact match without lenght check can't be done.

Btw. the Application.FileSearch object isn't longer available from Office 2007+ so maybe consider using the FileSystemObject instead