Scripting Blog [archived]

Formerly known as the "Hey, Scripting Guy!" blog

How Can I Get the Names of 10 Randomly-Selected Files in a Folder?

(image) Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I get the names of 10 randomly-selected files in a folder? I need to do that so I can test and verify our backup and restore policies.-- CS(image) (image) (image) Hey, CS. You know, if you’re interested in things that are random, haphazard, arbitrary, or downright chaotic, well, you came to the right ...

How Can I Search For (and Reformat) Highlighted Text in a Word Document?

(image) Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I find text in a Word document that has been highlighted in a particular color (say, turquoise), and then both remove the highlight and change the font color of that text to something else (say, blue)? I’d be extremely chuffed if you can solve this one!-- KB(image) (image) (image) Hey, KB! Blimey! You ...

How Can I Add a COUNTIF Formula to an Excel Spreadsheet?

(image) Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I add a COUNTIF formula to an Excel spreadsheet?-- MF(image) (image) (image) Hey, MF. Thanks for reminding us: yes, we are getting closer and closer to the actual 500th Hey, Scripting Guy! Celebration. Note. There was a bunch of stuff here about the celebration, but it’s over now so we took it ...

How Can I Determine Last Month’s Date?

(image) Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I determine last month’s date? I need to be able to take the month and year for the previous month (using the format mmyy) and create a file name like this: test0606.xls.-- DR(image) (image) (image) Hey, DR. We have to admit that, at first, this question posed a bit of a problem for the Scripting Guys...

How Can I Load List Box Options From a Text File?

(image) Hey, Scripting Guy! How can I load list box options from a text file?-- MV(image) (image) (image) Hey, MV. You would have to mention “options,” wouldn’t you? When the Scripting Guy who writes this column first joined Microsoft some five years ago, he assumed that he’d work for two or three years, cash in all his stock ...