RmDir Statement

Removes an empty directory or folder.

Syntax

RmDir path

• path: Required. String expression that identifies the directory or folder to be removed. May include drive. If no drive is specified, RmDir removes the directory or folder on the current drive.

Remarks

• An error occurs if you try to use RmDir on a directory containing files. Use the Kill statement to delete all files before attempting to remove a directory.
• An error also occurs if you try to remove a directory that doesn't exist.
• The directory must be empty (contain no files or subdirectories) before it can be removed.
• The path argument can include absolute or relative paths.
• On Windows systems, both forward slashes (/) and backslashes () can be used as path separators.
• The directory name can include the drive letter.
• You cannot remove the current directory. You must change to a parent or different directory first.
• UNC paths are supported on network drives.
• To remove a directory tree, you must remove all subdirectories first (working from innermost to outermost).

Examples

' Remove a directory in the current directory
RmDir "OldFolder"

' Remove a directory with full path
RmDir "C:\Temp\TempFiles"

' Remove a directory on another drive
RmDir "D:\Data\Archive"

' Remove nested directories (must remove innermost first)
RmDir "C:\Temp\Logs\Archive"
RmDir "C:\Temp\Logs"
RmDir "C:\Temp"

' Remove directory on network drive
RmDir "\\Server\Share\OldFolder"

' Safe removal with error handling
On Error Resume Next
RmDir "C:\Temp\ToDelete"
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
MsgBox "Could not remove directory"
End If
On Error GoTo 0

Common Errors

• Error 75: Path/File access error - directory contains files or subdirectories
• Error 76: Path not found - directory doesn't exist
• Error 5: Invalid procedure call - trying to remove current directory

Reference

RmDir Statement - Microsoft Docs