Sort array of files in folder - by Date Modified

[Formula11]

Is it possible to sort array of files in a folder by Date Modified, oldest to newest.
The output would be a sorted 2D array with date and filename, or two 1D arrays (date and corresponding filename).

The Quicksort methods seem to be for filenames.

Or is it possible to process files in Explorer based on date?

Sub test()
    Dim BrowseWindow As FileDialog
    Dim folder_path As String
    Dim my_FSO As Object
    Dim the_folder As Object
    Dim file_item As Object
    Dim my_array() As Variant
    Dim i As Long
    'choose folder
    Set BrowseWindow = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFolderPicker)
    With BrowseWindow
        .InitialFileName = ThisWorkbook.Path
        If .Show = -1 Then
            folder_path = .SelectedItems(1)
        Else
            Exit Sub
        End If
    End With
    'start
    Set my_FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    Set the_folder = my_FSO.GetFolder(folder_path)
    'loop
    i = 0
    For Each file_item In the_folder.Files
        ReDim Preserve my_array(i)
        my_array(i) = file_item.Name
        Debug.Print my_array(i)
        i = i + 1
    Next file_item
End Sub

 

[HighAndWilder]

Is it possible to sort array of files in a folder by Date Modified, oldest to newest.
The output would be a sorted 2D array with date and filename, or two 1D arrays (date and corresponding filename).

The Quicksort methods seem to be for filenames.

Or is it possible to process files in Explorer based on date?

Sub test()
    Dim BrowseWindow As FileDialog
    Dim folder_path As String
    Dim my_FSO As Object
    Dim the_folder As Object
    Dim file_item As Object
    Dim my_array() As Variant
    Dim i As Long
    'choose folder
    Set BrowseWindow = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFolderPicker)
    With BrowseWindow
        .InitialFileName = ThisWorkbook.Path
        If .Show = -1 Then
            folder_path = .SelectedItems(1)
        Else
            Exit Sub
        End If
    End With
    'start
    Set my_FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    Set the_folder = my_FSO.GetFolder(folder_path)
    'loop
    i = 0
    For Each file_item In the_folder.Files
        ReDim Preserve my_array(i)
        my_array(i) = file_item.Name
        Debug.Print my_array(i)
        i = i + 1
    Next file_item
End Sub

Try this.

It creates a worksheet named 'Files' If you already have a worksheet by this name then change the code.)

The worksheet is sorted and the array my_array populated with the sorted list of files or you to use as desired.

Sub test_V2()
    Dim BrowseWindow As FileDialog
    Dim folder_path As String
    Dim my_FSO As Object
    Dim the_folder As Object
    Dim file_item As Object
    Dim my_array() As Variant
    Dim i As Long
    Dim arr() As String

    'choose folder
    Set BrowseWindow = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFolderPicker)
    With BrowseWindow
        .InitialFileName = ThisWorkbook.Path
        If .Show = -1 Then
            folder_path = .SelectedItems(1)
        Else
            Exit Sub
        End If
    End With
    'start
    Set my_FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    Set the_folder = my_FSO.GetFolder(folder_path)
    ' loop
    
    If Evaluate("isref('" & "Files" & "'!A1)") Then
      Worksheets("Files").Cells.ClearContents
    Else
      Worksheets.Add after:=Sheets(Sheets.Count)
      ActiveSheet.Name = "Files"
    End If
    
    Worksheets("Files").Activate
    
    i = 1
    
    For Each file_item In the_folder.Files
      
      arr = Split(Str(file_item.DateLastModified), " ")
        
      Cells(i, 1).Resize(1, 3).Value = Array(file_item.Name, arr(0), arr(1))
      
      i = i + 1
    
    Next file_item
    
    Call subSortFiles
    
    my_array = ActiveSheet.Range("A1").CurrentRegion.Columns(1).Value

End Sub

Private Sub subSortFiles()
Dim lngLastRow As Long
  
  With ActiveSheet
  
    lngLastRow = .Cells(Rows.Count, "A").End(xlUp).Row

    .Sort.SortFields.Clear
    
    .Sort.SortFields.Add2 Key:=Range("B1:B" & lngLastRow), SortOn:=xlSortOnValues, Order:=xlAscending, DataOption:= _
        xlSortTextAsNumbers
    
    .Sort.SortFields.Add2 Key:=Range("C1:C" & lngLastRow), SortOn:=xlSortOnValues, Order:=xlAscending, DataOption:=xlSortNormal
       
    With .Sort
      .SetRange Range("A1:C" & lngLastRow)
      .Header = xlNo
      .Apply
    End With

  End With
  
End Sub

 

[Formula11]

Thanks HighAndWilder, will give this a try.

 

[Fuji]

try

Sub test()
    Dim BrowseWindow As FileDialog
    Dim folder_path As String
    Dim my_FSO As Object
    Dim the_folder As Object
    Dim file_item As Object
    Dim my_array() As Variant
    Dim i As Long
    'choose folder
    Set BrowseWindow = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFolderPicker)
    With BrowseWindow
        .InitialFileName = ThisWorkbook.Path
        If .Show = -1 Then
            folder_path = .SelectedItems(1)
        Else
            Exit Sub
        End If
    End With
    'start
    Set my_FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    Set the_folder = my_FSO.GetFolder(folder_path)
    'loop
    Dim d
    i = 0
    For Each file_item In the_folder.Files
        ReDim Preserve my_array(2, i)
        d = Split(file_item.DateLastModified)
        d(0) = CDbl(DateValue(d(0))): d(1) = CDbl(TimeValue(d(1)))
        my_array(0, i) = file_item.Name
        my_array(1, i) = file_item.DateLastModified
        my_array(2, i) = d(0) + d(1)
        Debug.Print my_array(0, i)
        i = i + 1
    Next file_item
    my_array = WorksheetFunction.SortBy(my_array, Application.Index(my_array, 3, 0), 1)
    For i = LBound(my_array) To UBound(my_array, 2)
        Debug.Print my_array(1, i), my_array(2, i)
    Next
End Sub

 

[Formula11]

Thanks Fuji, this also works, cheers

 

[Formula11]

Fuji, are you able to explain what each of these means

 

[Fuji]

SORTBY function - Microsoft Support

Learn about the SORTBY function, which sorts the contents of a range or array based on the values in a corresponding range or array. SORTBY is in a class of functions called dynamic arrays.

support.microsoft.com

        ReDim Preserve my_array(2, i)

my_array is 3 rows and i columns.
SortBy function should have base array to be sorted, i.e. my_Array
and 2nd array, sort key array, i.e Aapplication.Index(my_array,3,0), that is, whole 3rd row of my_array since 3rd row holds the serial date.

You can't sort the data properly when the date is string.

HTH.