ChooseFiles()
Summary
Gets the names of one or more existing files using the Windows File Open dialog box.
Syntax
fnms = ChooseFiles(array file_types, string title, array options)| Argument | Contents |
|---|---|
| file_types | An array of two-element arrays, with each subarray having a file type description (such as "Workspace") and a specification (such as "*.wrkz") |
| title | A title for the dialog box |
| Option | Type | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Read Only | Boolean | If "True" the Read Only check box is displayed |
| Initial Directory | String | The directory first displayed by the dialog box; the directory name must include a trailing backslash |
| Help | String | A keyword in the help system; it indicates the help topic displayed if the user presses F1 |
| Options Button | String | The name of a macro to run when the Options button is pressed, or null if no Options button is needed |
Returns
An array of directory and file names, as follows:
| Element | Type | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | String | The directory path to the file names in element 2 |
| 2 | Array | Strings containing the file names (including file extension) selected |
Notes
If file_types is null, all types of files are listed in the dialog box.
Even if there is only one file type description and specification, it must be a subarray within an array; for example file_types could be {{"Workspace", "*.wrkz"}}.
A file type description can have more than one item in the specification, separated by semicolons, such as {{"Workspace, Dataview, Figure, Layout", "*.wrkz;*.dvw;*.fig;*.lay"}}
The file type description will be shown in the Files of Type drop-down list in the File Open dialog box. To show the specification, add it to the file type description in parentheses. The description just labels the file type, while the specification is used to choose the files to display.
No values are passed to nor returned from the Options macro.
Example
geo_files = ChooseFiles( {
{"Compact (*.cdf)", "*.cdf"},
{"Standard (*.dbd)","*.dbd"}},
"Choose one or more Geographic Files", )Error Codes
| Error Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Escape | The user clicked Cancel or hit Escape |
| Error | File_Types or one of the options is incorrectly specified |
See Also
| Function | Summary |
|---|---|
| ChooseDirectory() | Gets the path name to an existing directory/folder |
| ChooseFile() | Gets the name of a single existing file using the Windows File Open dialog box |
| ChooseDirectory() | Gets the path name to an existing directory/folder |
| ChooseFileName() | Gets the name of a new file using the Windows File Open dialog box |
| GetFileInfo() | Gets information about a file. |