Name Statement

Renames a disk file, directory, or folder.

Syntax

Name oldpathname As newpathname

• oldpathname: Required. String expression that specifies the existing file name and location. May include directory or folder, and drive.
• newpathname: Required. String expression that specifies the new file name and location. May include directory or folder, and drive. Cannot specify a different drive from the one specified in oldpathname.

Remarks

• The Name statement renames a file and moves it to a different directory or folder, if necessary
• Name can move a file across directories or folders, but both oldpathname and newpathname must be on the same drive
• Using Name on an open file produces an error. You must close an open file before renaming it
• Name arguments can include relative or absolute paths
• The Name statement can also rename directories or folders
• If newpathname already exists, an error occurs
• Wildcard characters (* and ?) are not allowed in either oldpathname or newpathname

Examples

' Rename a file
Name "OLDFILE.TXT" As "NEWFILE.TXT"
' Move and rename a file
Name "C:\Data\Report.doc" As "C:\Archive\OldReport.doc"
' Rename a directory
Name "C:\OldFolder" As "C:\NewFolder"
' Move file to different directory (same drive)
Name "C:\Temp\Test.dat" As "C:\Data\Test.dat"
' Using variables
Dim oldName As String, newName As String
oldName = "File1.txt"
newName = "File2.txt"
Name oldName As newName

Reference

Name Statement - Microsoft Docs