C# Signature:

[DllImport("shlwapi.dll", CharSet=CharSet.Auto)]
static extern bool PathCompactPath(IntPtr hDC, [In, Out] StringBuilder pszPath, int dx);

VB.NET Signature

''' <summary>
''' Truncates a file path to fit within a given pixel width by replacing path components with ellipses.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="hDC">A handle to the device context used for font metrics. This value can be NULL.</param>
''' <param name="lpszPath">A pointer to a null-terminated string of length MAX_PATH that contains the path to be modified. On return, this buffer will contain the modified string.</param>
''' <param name="dx">The width, in pixels, in which the string must fit.</param>
''' <returns>Returns TRUE if the path was successfully compacted to the specified width. Returns FALSE on failure, or if the base portion of the path would not fit the specified width.</returns>
<DllImport("shlwapi.dll", EntryPoint:="PathCompactPathW",  SetLastError:=True, CharSet:=CharSet.Unicode)> _
Public Function PathCompactPath(hDC As IntPtr, _
                <MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPTStr)>lpszPath As System.Text.StringBuilder, _
                dx As UInteger) As <MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)>Boolean
End Function

VB Signature:

Public Declare Function PathCompactPath Lib "shlwapi" Alias "PathCompactPathA" _
        (ByVal hDC As Long, _
         ByVal lpszPath As String, _
         ByVal dx As Long) As Long

User-Defined Types:

None.

Notes:

If you do not have a HDC available, take a look at PathCompactPathEx

Tips & Tricks:

Please add some!

Sample Code:

C# Sample Code:

public partial class frmMain : Form
{
    [DllImport("shlwapi.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]
    static extern bool PathCompactPath(IntPtr hDC, [In, Out] StringBuilder pszPath, int dx);

    public string PathCompactPath(string path, int pixel)
    {
    Graphics gc = this.CreateGraphics();
    StringBuilder strBuffer = new StringBuilder(path);
    PathCompactPath((IntPtr)gc.GetHdc(), strBuffer, pixel);
    return strBuffer.ToString();
    }
}

VB.NET Sample Code:

Public Partial Class frmMain
     Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form
    <DllImport("shlwapi.dll", EntryPoint:="PathCompactPathW",  SetLastError:=True, CharSet:=CharSet.Unicode)> _
    Public Function PathCompactPath(hDC As IntPtr, _
                <MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPTStr)>lpszPath As System.Text.StringBuilder, _
                dx As UInteger) As <MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)>Boolean
    End Function

    Public Function PathCompactPath(path As String, pixel As Integer) As String
      Dim gc As Graphics  = Me.CreateGraphics()
      Dim strBuffer As New StringBuilder(path);
      PathCompactPath(gc.GetHdc(), strBuffer, pixel)
      Return strBuffer.ToString()
    End Function
End Class

Alternative Managed API:

Do you know one? Please contribute it!

Please edit this page!

Do you have...

• helpful tips or sample code to share for using this API in managed code?
• corrections to the existing content?
• variations of the signature you want to share?
• additional languages you want to include?

Select "Edit This Page" on the right hand toolbar and edit it! Or add new pages containing supporting types needed for this API (structures, delegates, and more).