Visual Basic for Applications:
Writing a text file

How to:

VBA offers several methods to write to a file, but one of the most straightforward ways is using the FileSystemObject. Here’s a step-by-step guide to create a simple text file and write data to it:

1. Reference Microsoft Scripting Runtime: First, ensure your VBA editor has access to the FileSystemObject. Go to Tools > References in the VBA editor and check “Microsoft Scripting Runtime.”

2. Create a Text File: The following VBA code snippet demonstrates how to create a text file and write a line of text into it.

Sub WriteToFile()
    Dim fso As FileSystemObject
    Set fso = New FileSystemObject
    
    Dim textFile As Object
    ' CreateTextFile parameters: (Filename, Overwrite, Unicode)
    Set textFile = fso.CreateTextFile("C:\yourPath\example.txt", True, False)
    
    ' Write a line of text
    textFile.WriteLine "Hello, VBA!"
    
    ' Close the file
    textFile.Close
End Sub

This script creates (or overwrites if already existing) a file named example.txt in the specified directory and writes “Hello, VBA!” into it before closing the file to save changes.

3. Sample Output:

After running the above VBA script, you’ll find a file named example.txt with the following content:

Hello, VBA!

Deep Dive:

The FileSystemObject (FSO), part of the Microsoft Scripting Runtime library, provides a rich set of properties and methods for file operations, broadening beyond what traditional VBA file handling offers (e.g., Open, Print #, Write #). Besides handling files, FSO can also manipulate folders and drives, making it a powerful tool for file system operations within VBA.

It’s worth noting, however, that while FSO presents a more modern approach to file operations in VBA, it may introduce overhead for simple tasks compared to VBA’s native file handling statements. Furthermore, since FSO is part of an external library, portability and compatibility with other systems (e.g., earlier versions of Office, Mac Office) could be concerns.

In contexts where performance, compatibility, or minimal external dependencies are critical, programmers may consider using VBA’s built-in file handling techniques. However, for more complex operations or when working within an environment where these concerns are mitigated (such as a controlled corporate setting), the benefits of the FileSystemObject often outweigh its drawbacks.