Populate file properties with this macro

Original Article Date: Febrary 2005

Updated: February 2011 

With many thanks to Bentley's Rudi Wells for this VBA macro that populates File > Properties. No doubt you'll all find this useful.

NOTE:  The following information is applicable to Windows XP only.  In Windows 7, Microsoft removed the Summary tab of the File Properties dialog.  

To get started:
Download 230_File_Properties.zip
The zip file contains a single file with the name File_Properties.xxxx
Extract this file and place it in the folder being pointed to by MS_VBASEARCHDIRECTORIES.
For example: C:\program files\Bentley\Workspace\Standards\vba\
Finally, change the extension from xxxx to mvba.
(The xxxx extension was done to allow the zip file to pass through any virus scanners when being downloaded.)

Ok, so now let's take a look at how this all works.

Open any file and navigate to File > Properties. Each of the three tabs contains tidbits of information regarding the file. Take a closer look a the Summary tab...here you can fill in the fields with custom information that may be applicable to a specific project or client.

Once filled in, this information can also be viewed in the Windows Explorer pop-up balloon when hover your mouse over the file, as well as in the summary tab when doing a Right Click > Properties from the operating system.

Ok....so what's the VBA macro all about? Well, it simply auto-fills in the Summary fields for you..and it's completely customizable. Let's take a closer look.

Select Utilities > Macro > Project Manager
Poke on Load Project and select File_Properties.mvba
Once loaded, ensure the file is highlighted, and select Visual Basic Editor
You can now edit the text between the " " to suit your needs.

Once editied, save the changes, exit the editor, and close the VBA Project Manager.
You can now run the macro by keying in: vba run [file]Properties.updateFileProperties.
You can verify that the macro worked, by simply taking a peek at the Summary tab of the File Properties dialog.

In the event that you'd like to process multiple files, simply use the Batch Process utility:

This program is supplied as is. This program does not come with support. AskInga, Bentley Systems Inc., and the author of the program assumes no liability for damages direct, indirect, or consequential, which may result from the use of this program. Use this program at your own risk.

AskInga Article #230