How to Browse for File Path Using Excel VBA (3 Methods)

Method 1 – Using FileDialog to Browse for File Path in Excel VBA

Steps:

Select cell C4 where the file path will be saved.

Go to the Developer tab.
Select Visual Basic.
Alternatively, press ALT+F11 to do the same task.

The Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications will open.
Select the Insert tab.
Select Module from the options.

Enter the following code in the Module.

Sub File_Path()
Dim File_Picker As FileDialog
Dim my_path As String
Set File_Picker = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)
File_Picker.Title = "Select a File" & FileType
File_Picker.Filters.Clear
File_Picker.Show
If File_Picker.SelectedItems.Count = 1 Then
my_path = File_Picker.SelectedItems(1)
End If
ActiveSheet.Range("C4").Value = my_path
End Sub

VBA Code Explanation

Sub File_Path()
Dim File_Picker As FileDialog
Dim my_path As String

Create the macro and give it the name File_Path.
Define the two variables.

Set File_Picker = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)
File_Picker.Title = “Select a File” & FileType
File_Picker.Filters.Clear
File_Picker.Show

Set the File_Picker variable to use the File Open Dialog box.
Set the title of the dialog box as Select a File.
Display the dialog box.

If File_Picker.SelectedItems.Count = 1 Then
my_path = File_Picker.SelectedItems(1)
End If

VBA will check if we have chosen any file, and when it is true it will assign that file path to our my_path variable.

ActiveSheet.Range(“C4”).Value = my_path
End Sub

The file path stored in the my_path variable shows in cell C4 in the active worksheet.

In the worksheet select the Insert tab.
Click on the Illustrations group icon.
Select the Shapes option.
Select Rectangle: Rounded Corners from the available shapes.

Place the cursor inside the cell area of the worksheet and it will change to a plus (+) sign.

Expand the plus sign by clicking and holding the mouse to create a rectangle.
Enter the phrase Browse for a File inside the shape.

Change the shape fill color.
The newly created shape is ready to use as a button.

Right-click on the shape.
Select Assign Macro from the menu.

The Assign Macro dialog box opens.
Select the macro File_Path.
Click OK.

Click on the Browse for a File button.
The Select a File dialog box opens.
Go to Local Disk (C:).
Select the folder Exceldemy.
Click Open.

Select the file Sales-Report.
Click Open.

This stores the file path of the file Sales-Report in cell C4.

Method 2 – Opening Default File Dialog Folder to Browse for File Path in Excel VBA

Steps:

Open the Code Module.
Paste the following code into the Module.

Sub File_Path_Default_Folder()
Dim File_Picker As FileDialog
Dim my_path As String
Set File_Picker = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)
File_Picker.Title = "Select a File" & FileType
File_Picker.InitialFileName = "C:\Users\Shahriar Abrar\Desktop\Exceldemy"
File_Picker.Filters.Clear
File_Picker.Show
If File_Picker.SelectedItems.Count = 1 Then
my_path = File_Picker.SelectedItems(1)
End If
ActiveSheet.Range("C4").Value = my_path
End Sub

Assign the macro to the Browse for a File button.
Click on the button.

The Select a File dialog box opens.
The Exceldemy folder is open as default.
Select Sales-Report and click Open.

This stores the file path in cell C4.

Method 3 – Applying GetOpenFilename Method Browse for File Path in Excel VBA

Steps:

Select the Developer tab.
Click on Insert on the Controls group.
Select Command Button under the ActiveX Controls section.

This inserts CommandButton1 into our worksheet.

Right-click on the button.
Select Properties from the context menu.

Change the Caption to Browse a File.
Click on the ellipses beside the Font option.

Select Bold as Font Style.
Select 12 as the Size.
Click Ok.

Close the window.

Double-click on the Command Button.

This opens the Code Module with a portion of code written already.

Enter the following code in the Module.

Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
Dim my_file As String
my_file = Application.GetOpenFilename()
Worksheets("GetOpenFilename").Range("C4").Value = my_file
End Sub

Return to the worksheet.
Unselect the Design Mode on the Controls group.
Click on the Browse a File button.

Select Sales-Report from the list.
Click Open.

This enters the file path in cell C4.

How to Browse for Folder Path Using Excel VBA

Steps:

Create a button Browse for a Folder as we did in Example 1.

Open the Code Module as in Example 1.
Paste the following code into the Module.

Sub Folder_Path()
Dim Pick_Folder As FileDialog
Dim my_folder As String
Set Pick_Folder = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFolderPicker)
With Pick_Folder
.Title = "Select A Folder"
.AllowMultiSelect = False
If .Show <> -1 Then Exit Sub
my_folder = .SelectedItems(1) & "\"
End With
MsgBox "Folder Path is: " & my_folder
End Sub