File Tree

Location on ribbon: Tab DVD Addin → Group File and Print → Menu File Tools

Command ID: btnFileTree

License required

This command needs a valid DVDAddin account (Standard or PRO). It is fully available during the Trial period.

What it does

The command scans a root folder and writes its whole structure — every subfolder and every file — into the active sheet as an indented tree: each level shifts one column to the right, and folder names are bold and coloured dark blue so they stand out from files.

Use it to build a handover document index: capture the as-built folder structure exactly as it stands, spot which work package is still missing files, or print it as an annex to the electronic data handover record.

How to use

1. Open (or create) an empty sheet to receive the output.
2. Go to tab DVD Addin → group File and Print → File Tools → File Tree.
3. A confirmation appears warning that "All data on the current sheet will be erased to write the folder tree" — press Yes to continue.
4. The Pick parent folder dialog opens — choose the root folder and press OK.
5. The command walks the tree recursively. The root path sits in A1 in bold, and each level indents further to the right.
6. A toast reports how many items were written to the sheet.

Example

The as-built folder E:\AsBuilt\Block-A needs an index to attach to the handover record.

Run the command on a blank sheet and pick that folder; the result looks like this:

A	B	C	D
E:\AsBuilt\Block-A
	01_Structure
		Foundation
			Foundation-inspection.pdf
			Concrete-test-report.pdf
		Superstructure
			Slab-L2-inspection.pdf
	02_Architecture
		Material-schedule.xlsx

Column C shows at a glance that Superstructure holds only one file against two in Foundation — the superstructure records are clearly incomplete.

Notes

• Everything on the active sheet is wiped before the tree is written — always run it on a blank sheet, and read the confirmation carefully before pressing Yes.
• Ctrl+Z will not undo it; if you erased a sheet with real data, close the workbook without saving.
• The output indents one column per folder level, so a deeply nested tree runs off the printable page — pick a root folder at the level you actually need.
• File and folder names get hyperlinks that open the path directly; turn them off by clearing the FileTreeHyperlinks option in Preferences ▸ File and Print.
• Hold ESC to stop when the folder turns out to be huge — whatever has already been written stays on the sheet.
• Folders you have no permission to read are skipped silently, so a branch may be missing compared with Windows Explorer.

Related

• Folder Tree — same mechanism but folders only, for a more compact index.
• File List — a flat list with size and modified date instead of an indented tree.
• Create Folders — the reverse job: build the folder tree on disk from a list on the sheet.
• Rename Files — standardise file names after reviewing the tree.