FTF-Create-Folders-From-List-in-Excel

Fast Tip Friday – Create Folders From List in Excel

When we collect and process electronic data from a number of custodians, we usually create a folder for each custodian to store their data. This fast tip will share a shortcut for creating those folders that can save us a bunch of time.

In another Fast Tip Friday, I demonstrated how to create subfolders using an Excel macro.

Download Sample Files

Source: Kel Rollins

30 Comments

  1. Excellent, Amy. Looks like there is a requirement for a double space at the end of the custodian names?

    We aren’t as sophisticated as using VBA things, however we have a workflow to effectively do the same thing by writing an Excel formulae using the Dos MD command ie for your first custodian (Shery Cushenberry ) in cell A2, our command in cell B2 would be =”MD “&A2, and then we copy all values from column B into a text file and run it as a batch file. The issue of course is that MD won’t behave itself if there are spaces in the custodian name, so we then wrap a double quote delimiter, ie =”MD “&””””&A2&””””.

    You can also nest as many levels as you want – ie if A2 has say “Sherry Cushenberryemailscentral serverworkproject ABC” then the formulae =”MD “&””””&A2&”””” can handle this.

      1. The video is a great idea, and the graphics also look great. Another excellent innovation Amy.

  2. This is so cool. I’m sure I’ll be able to find a way to use this in the future. I’ll be on the lookout for more Fast Tip Friday emails! Thanks!

  3. When I get to the point of clicking on the Run arrow icon, I get a dialogue box asking me to name the macro. What do I do here? thanks!

    1. Hey Lisa – It should not prompt for a name at the point of running the macro. I’m wondering if your environment is locked down somehow. If you give it a name, can you then run it? If you want, you can record your screen using http://www.screenr.com and send me a link to the recording and I will take a look at it.

  4. This and the tip about the sub-folders just saved me literally days of work. Thanks so very very much for be so generous as to share this knowledge outright! You are a God-send!

  5. Hello, when you went to grab the code to cut and paste into the “module” box, it was not visible on the screen and I don’t know where to get that to cut and paste in the box and succeed in making the folders. Can you please explain that part. Many thanks! 🙂

      1. WOW THANK YOU! I saw the popup message this time and found the link to the code. It works great! Voila – all the folders appeared like magic — and it’s so easy. This is very useful. You’re THE BEST AMY – thanks again!! :)))

  6. This was great Amy. I also enjoyed the video on creating sub folders This was great Amy. I also enjoyed the video on creating sub folders with a VB Excel macro. You rock! You always have. a VB Excel macro. You rock! You always have.

  7. Will i be able to create sub-folders for the below column A using VB/C#; kindly assist

    A
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