Extract Partial File Name

[armsys]

{filename} can be used to display the file name.
If the file names are in the "ABC 1234.docx" format, How can I extract the 4 numeric characters starting from the 5th character in the filename, namely, "1234"?
Thanks for your help.

[HansV]

Word doesn't offer any string manipulation functions in the interface, so I think you'll have to use VBA code. What do you want to do with the numeric characters?

[armsys]

Hi HansV,
Long time no see, my old friend/teacher. Yes, {=} formulae patently lack all string manipulation functions. My objective is to extract and print the 4 digits from the filenames.
Exhibit 1200.docx
Exhibit 1201.docx
Exhibit 1202.docx
Exhibit 1203.docx
etc.
Thanks for your fast help.

[HansV]

"to extract and print the 4 digits from the filenames"

Does that mean that you want to process all docx files in a folder?

[armsys]

Nope. It's much simpler. Just display the 4 digits of a docx file. It's intended as a cover sheet. Because there are many exhibits, manually typing the 4 digits is tideous and error-prone.

[macropod]

Hi Armstrong,

Since it's only the digits you're after, use a nested field coded as:
{={FILENAME} \# 0000}

[armsys]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for your help. We're very close to the solution. For the Exhibit 1200.docx,
{={FILENAME} \# 0000} produces an error: !Syntax Error, 1200.
And why does it produce the period at the end?
At least it's the first time the doc filename can actually be manipuated.
Please help. Thanks.

[HansV]

Paul, I have a document named Doc 1234.docm.

I insert the following fields (field codes displayed):

FieldCodes.png

The result after hiding the field codes and updating the fields is:

NoFieldCodes.png

It does extract the number, but not quite in the way intended.

(I'm using Word 2010 SP1)

[armsys]

Actually, Paul's solution works with a minor modification:
{quote {filename} \# 0000 }
Paul & hans, thanks for your help.