text: ---
  Description: Creates and returns a FolderItem object that represents a specified item.
  ms.assetid: 3af7052c-fb81-4a96-9bf9-379b0365a376
  title: Folder.ParseName method (Shldisp.h)
  ms.topic: reference
  ms.date: 05/31/2018
  topic_type: 
  - APIRef
  - kbSyntax
  api_name: 
  - Folder.ParseName
  api_type: 
  - COM
  api_location: 
  - Shell32.dll
  ---
  
  # Folder.ParseName method
  
  Creates and returns a [**FolderItem**](folderitem.md) object that represents a specified item.
  
  ## Syntax
  
  
  ```JScript
  retVal = Folder.ParseName(
    bName
  )
  ```
  
  
  
  ## Parameters
  
  <dl> <dt>
  
  *bName* \[in\]
  </dt> <dd>
  
  Type: **[**BSTR**](/previous-versions/windows/desktop/automat/bstr)**
  
  A string that specifies the name of the item.
  
  </dd> </dl>
  
  ## Return value
  
  Type: **[**FolderItem**](folderitem.md)\*\***
  
  An object reference to the [**FolderItem**](folderitem.md) object.
  
  ## Remarks
  
  **ParseName** should not be used for virtual folders such as My Documents.
  
  ## Examples
  
  The following example uses **ParseName** to create an object representing the folder item Clock.avi in the C:\\Windows folder. Proper usage is shown for JScript, VBScript, and Visual Basic.
  
  JScript:
  
  
  ```JScript
  <script language="JScript">
      function fnFolderObjectParseNameJ()
      {
          var objShell  = new ActiveXObject("shell.application");
          var objFolder = new Object;
          
          objFolder = objShell.NameSpace("C:\\WINDOWS");
          if (objFolder != null)
          {
              var objFolderItem = new Object;
              
              objFolderItem = objFolder.ParseName("clock.avi");
              if (objFolderItem != null)
              {
                  //Add code here.
              }
          }
      }
  </script>
  ```
  
  
  
  VBScript:
  
  
  ```VB
  <script language="VBScript">
      function fnFolderObjectParseNameVB()
          dim objShell
          dim objFolder
          
          set objShell = CreateObject("shell.application")
          set objFolder = objShell.NameSpace("C:\WINDOWS")
  
          if (not objFolder is nothing) then
              dim objFolderItem
              
              set objFolderItem = objFolder.ParseName("clock.avi")
  
              if (not objFolderItem is nothing) then
                  'Add code here.
              end if
          end if
  
          set objFolder = nothing
          set objShell = nothing
      end function
  </script>
  ```
  
  
  
  Visual Basic:
  
  
  ```VB
  Private Sub btnParseName_Click()
      Dim objShell  As Shell
      Dim objFolder As Folder
  
      Set objShell = New Shell
      Set objFolder = objShell.NameSpace("C:\WINDOWS")
  
      If (Not objFolder Is Nothing) Then
          Dim objFolderItem As FolderItem
          
          Set objFolderItem = objFolder.ParseName("clock.avi")
              'Add code here.
              Debug.Print "passed"
          Set objFolderItem = Nothing
      End If
  
      Set objFolder = Nothing
      Set objShell = Nothing
  End Sub
  ```
  
  
  
  ## Requirements
  
  
  
  |                                     |                                                                                                                |
  |-------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
  | Minimum supported client<br/> | Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP \[desktop apps only\]<br/>                                         |
  | Minimum supported server<br/> | Windows 2000 Server \[desktop apps only\]<br/>                                                           |
  | Header<br/>                   | <dl> <dt>Shldisp.h</dt> </dl>                           |
  | IDL<br/>                      | <dl> <dt>Shldisp.idl</dt> </dl>                         |
  | DLL<br/>                      | <dl> <dt>Shell32.dll (version 4.71 or later)</dt> </dl> |
  
  
  
   
  
   