Question

I am attempting to use the VB.Net FileSystemWatcher class to watch a folder for the creation of Excel files. I do get a response when a .xls file is created in the folder, but am having a problem with the below code:

Private Sub AddWatch()

Dim watch As New FileSystemWatcher

        AddHandler watch.Changed, AddressOf FileChange
        watch.Filter = "*.*"
        watch.NotifyFilter = NotifyFilters.LastWrite
        watch.Path = "C:\Documents and Settings\my.user\Desktop\testing"
        watch.EnableRaisingEvents = True
End Sub

    Private Sub FileChange(ByVal obj As Object, ByVal e As System.IO.FileSystemEventArgs)

        Debug.Print("changetype is: " & e.ChangeType.ToString & ", path is: " & e.FullPath.ToString)
    End Sub

When I create a text file in this folder, I get back the proper filename(“C:\Documents and Settings\my.user\Desktop\testing\foo.txt”). However, when I save an Excel file into the folder, the path is still correct, but the filename is garbage (differs each time even with the same filename, always 8 characters like “C:\Documents and Settings\my.user\Desktop\testing\DE0B5800”.) Can’t find a thing on this searching Google or here, and MSDN as usual is little help. Anyone run across this before or know where I can find more information?

Answer 1

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814068

In summary:

When Excel saves a file, Excel follow
these steps:

1. Excel creates a randomly named temporary file (for example, Cedd4100
   with no file name extension) in the
   destination folder that you specified
   in the Save As dialog box. The whole
   workbook is written to the temporary
   file.
2. If changes are being saved to an existing file, Excel deletes the
   original file.
3. Excel renames the temporary file. Excel gives the temporary file
   the file name that you specified (such
   as Book1.xls) in the Save As dialog
   box.