# Can SWIN CommonDialog.openFilename() select multiple files? **URL:** \ **Category:** ruby-talk\ **Created:** [11 February 2010 15:32 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374 "2010-02-11T15:32:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alex\_DeCaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Alex\_DeCaria](https://rubytalk.org/u/Alex_DeCaria)\ **Post date:** [11 February 2010 15:32 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/1 "2010-02-11T15:32:26Z")
Can the SWIN CommonDialog.openFilename() method be used to select multiple filenames at one time? Thanks, --Alex DeCaria > **路路路** > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/](http://www.ruby-forum.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Chris6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Chris6](https://rubytalk.org/u/Chris6)\ **Post date:** [11 February 2010 19:35 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/2 "2010-02-11T19:35:05Z")
Had to look at the code but looks like it is a straight forward wrapper of the CommonDialog:GetOpenFileName ([http://msdn.microsoft.com/](http://msdn.microsoft.com/) en-us/library/ms646829(VS.85).aspx#open\_file) so supports all its functionality Set the OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT flag, and the result should be a string containing all the files. The windows doc says it could be NULL separated or space separated so you'll need to play a bit to figure out how to parse out the individual file names. This is all based on reading, so while in theory its correct, in practice you'll have to figure some stuff out 馃槈 cheers Chris > **路路路** > > On Feb 11, 10:32 am, Alex DeCaria \ wrote: > > > Can the SWIN CommonDialog.openFilename() method be used to select > > multiple filenames at one time? ---
**Author:** ![Siep\_Korteling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@Siep\_Korteling](https://rubytalk.org/u/Siep_Korteling)\ **Post date:** [11 February 2010 22:26 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/3 "2010-02-11T22:26:03Z")
Chris Hulan wrote: > > Can the SWIN CommonDialog.openFilename() method be used to select > > multiple filenames at one time? > > Had to look at the code but looks like it is a straight forward > wrapper of the CommonDialog:GetOpenFileName ([http://msdn.microsoft.com/](http://msdn.microsoft.com/) > en-us/library/ms646829(VS.85).aspx#open\_file) > so supports all its functionality > Set the OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT flag, and the result should be a string > containing all the files. > The windows doc says it could be NULL separated or space separated so > you'll need to play a bit to figure out > how to parse out the individual file names. > > This is all based on reading, so while in theory its correct, in > practice you'll have to figure some stuff out 馃槈 > > cheers > Chris I'm also trying to figure this out. The best I have so far is: OFN\_EXPLORER = 0x00080000 OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT = 0x00000200 #(...)lots of other constants require 'swin' filetype\_filter = [['Ruby files (\*.rb)','\*.rb'], ['All files (\*.\*)', '\*.\*']] paths = SWin::CommonDialog::openFilename( nil, filetype\_filter, OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT, 'Choose one or more files.') puts paths Which looks like a horrible blast from the past: windows 3.1! It works, but the result looks like this: "D:\\projects\\test\\ autoit\_test.rb binomial.rb" And what if the filename contains a space? Ah yes, of course, short filenames. "D:\\projects\\test\\ blum\_blum\_shub.rb BOYGIR~1.RB" Another try: paths = SWin::CommonDialog::openFilename( nil, filetype\_filter, OFN\_EXPLORER| #\<--let's try this one OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT, 'Choose one or more files.') puts paths This looks better, but it doesn't work. When multiple files are selected I only get the directory back, none of the files. Help appreciated, Siep > **路路路** > > > On Feb 11, 10:32锟絘m, Alex DeCaria \ \> wrote: > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Chris6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Chris6](https://rubytalk.org/u/Chris6)\ **Post date:** [13 February 2010 02:55 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/4 "2010-02-13T02:55:06Z")
I was able to get your code to work, surprisingly the docs seem to actually be correct 馃槈 Here is your (Siep) code expanded a bit: require 'swin' OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT = 0x200 OFN\_EXPLORER = 0x80000 NUL = "\x00" filetype\_filter = [['Ruby files (\*.rb)','\*.rb'],['All files (\*.\*)', '\*.\*']] paths = SWin::CommonDialog::openFilename( nil, filetype\_filter, OFN\_EXPLORER|OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT, 'Choose one or more files.') if paths   files = paths.split(NUL)   if files.length \> 1     puts "Found #{files.length-1} files in #{files[0]}"     files[1..-1].each\_with\_index{|el,i| puts "#{i} =\> #{el}"}   else     d,f = File.split(files[0])     puts "Single file: #{f} in #{d}"   end else   puts "No selction made" end using OFN\_EXPLORER returns the list of files as a string will NUL separating the file names, allowing file names to contain spaces. The directory is the first item in this case If a single file is selected, the result is a single string with the full path and file name. Selecting cancel in the dialog results in a nul return value. I have to thank Louis Laverna for his work on the new Ruby installer, and epecially the dev kit that allowed me to build and install swin to play with this Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_DeCaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Alex\_DeCaria](https://rubytalk.org/u/Alex_DeCaria)\ **Post date:** [13 February 2010 11:34 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/5 "2010-02-13T11:34:57Z")
Chris Hulan wrote: > I was able to get your code to work, surprisingly the docs seem to > actually be correct 馃槈 > Here is your (Siep) code expanded a bit: > require 'swin' > OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT = 0x200 > OFN\_EXPLORER = 0x80000 > NUL = "\x00" > filetype\_filter = [['Ruby files (\*.rb)','\*.rb'],['All files (\*.\*)', > '\*.\*']] > paths = SWin::CommonDialog::openFilename( nil, filetype\_filter, > OFN\_EXPLORER|OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT, 'Choose one or more files.') > if paths >   files = paths.split(NUL) >   if files.length \> 1 >     puts "Found #{files.length-1} files in #{files[0]}" >     files[1..-1].each\_with\_index{|el,i| puts "#{i} =\> #{el}"} >   else >     d,f = File.split(files[0]) >     puts "Single file: #{f} in #{d}" >   end > else >   puts "No selction made" > end > > using OFN\_EXPLORER returns the list of files as a string will NUL > separating the file names, allowing file names to contain spaces. The > directory is the first item in this case > If a single file is selected, the result is a single string with the > full path and file name. > Selecting cancel in the dialog results in a nul return value. > > I have to thank Louis Laverna for his work on the new Ruby installer, > and epecially the dev kit that allowed me to build and install swin to > play with this > > Cheers Chris: Thanks for your efforts. I copied and pasted your code, but no matter how many files I select, files.length is coming out to be 1. What happens is: 1) If I select a single file, then files contains the entire filename including the path. 2) If I select multiple files, then files just contains the path, with no filename. The .split(NUL) method on paths doesn't seem to work for me. I am using Windows7 Professional (64-bit). I don't know if this is caused by a difference in OS? --Alex > **路路路** > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Chris6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Chris6](https://rubytalk.org/u/Chris6)\ **Post date:** [13 February 2010 18:33 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/6 "2010-02-13T18:33:18Z")
I installed the latest Ruby 1.9 via [RubyInstaller.org](http://RubyInstaller.org) Installed the devkit from there as well Downloaded swin (vrswin090207.zip) and built/installed it (Yeah! devkit) Ran it on a Win7 Home 64bit and it was good How are you getting swin? Are you running in an editor/IDE or from the command line? It worked from me both from the command line and from the Komodo Edit 5.0 editor ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_DeCaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Alex\_DeCaria](https://rubytalk.org/u/Alex_DeCaria)\ **Post date:** [13 February 2010 19:46 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/7 "2010-02-13T19:46:21Z")
Chris Hulan wrote: > I installed the latest Ruby 1.9 via RubyInstaller.org > Installed the devkit from there as well > Downloaded swin (vrswin090207.zip) and built/installed it (Yeah! > devkit) > Ran it on a Win7 Home 64bit and it was good > > How are you getting swin? > > Are you running in an editor/IDE or from the command line? > It worked from me both from the command line and from the Komodo Edit > 5.0 editor I'm running Ruby v.1.8.6 that I installed using the Windows 1-click installer. I'm using whatever version of SWIN came with that install package. I'll try to update SWIN and try again. Maybe I'll even upgrade to Ruby 1.9. Thanks. --Alex > **路路路** > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_DeCaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Alex\_DeCaria](https://rubytalk.org/u/Alex_DeCaria)\ **Post date:** [14 February 2010 18:52 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/8 "2010-02-14T18:52:22Z")
Chris Hulan wrote: > I installed the latest Ruby 1.9 via RubyInstaller.org > Installed the devkit from there as well > Downloaded swin (vrswin090207.zip) and built/installed it (Yeah! > devkit) > Ran it on a Win7 Home 64bit and it was good > > How are you getting swin? > > Are you running in an editor/IDE or from the command line? > It worked from me both from the command line and from the Komodo Edit > 5.0 editor Chris: I downloaded and unzipped vrswin090207. I also downloaded and unzipped the DevKit into my C:\Ruby directory. I don't know what to do next (I've never used DevKit. Can you tell me what to do next inorder to build and install SWIN? --Alex > **路路路** > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_DeCaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Alex\_DeCaria](https://rubytalk.org/u/Alex_DeCaria)\ **Post date:** [13 February 2010 21:03 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/9 "2010-02-13T21:03:27Z")
Alex DeCaria wrote: > Chris Hulan wrote: > > > I installed the latest Ruby 1.9 via RubyInstaller.org > > Installed the devkit from there as well > > Downloaded swin (vrswin090207.zip) and built/installed it (Yeah! > > devkit) > > Ran it on a Win7 Home 64bit and it was good > > > > How are you getting swin? > > > > Are you running in an editor/IDE or from the command line? > > It worked from me both from the command line and from the Komodo Edit > > 5.0 editor > > I'm running Ruby v.1.8.6 that I installed using the Windows 1-click > installer. I'm using whatever version of SWIN came with that install > package. I'll try to update SWIN and try again. Maybe I'll even > upgrade to Ruby 1.9. > > Thanks. --Alex I forgot to mention that I'm running it from the Windows command line. Also, I just tried it on a different system with Windows XP Professional and got the same result (files.length = 1) regardless of how many files I select. > **路路路** > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Chris6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Chris6](https://rubytalk.org/u/Chris6)\ **Post date:** [17 February 2010 00:10 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/10 "2010-02-17T00:10:14Z")
I followed the instructions in install.txt and it Just Worked! Well the compile threw a bunch of warnings and the ended with a message about an error... but I was able to run the code for the dialog so I think you can ignore that cheers ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_DeCaria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Alex\_DeCaria](https://rubytalk.org/u/Alex_DeCaria)\ **Post date:** [17 February 2010 19:44 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/11 "2010-02-17T19:44:35Z")
Chris Hulan wrote: > I followed the instructions in install.txt and it Just Worked! > > Well the compile threw a bunch of warnings and the ended with a > message > about an error... but I was able to run the code for the dialog so I > think you > can ignore that > > cheers Chris: SUCCESS! I installed Ruby 1.9 and vrswin090207, and your code works as advertised. Apparently it can't be done with Ruby 1.8 and/or the older version of vrswin. One final question. Do you know how I can have the FileDialog open to a predetermined directory, instead of the directory where the program is started? That's the last key to my puzzle. I tried using a Dir.chdir(mydirectory), but that didn't seem to work. --Alex > **路路路** > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Chris6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Chris6](https://rubytalk.org/u/Chris6)\ **Post date:** [18 February 2010 15:45 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/can-swin-commondialog-openfilename-select-multiple-files/57374/12 "2010-02-18T15:45:05Z")
Lookig at the swin code I think the 6th argument is the initial dir, so try this: SWin::CommonDialog::openFilename( nil, filetype\_filter, OFN\_EXPLORER|OFN\_ALLOWMULTISELECT, 'Choose one or more files.',nil,"C:\ \some\\path") > **路路路** > > On Feb 17, 2:44 pm, Alex DeCaria \ wrote: > > > Chris Hulan wrote: > > \> I followed the instructions in install.txt and it Just Worked! > > > > \> Well the compile threw a bunch of warnings and the ended with a > > \> message > > \> about an error... but I was able to run the code for the dialog so I > > \> think you > > \> can ignore that > > > > \> cheers > > > > Chris: > > > > SUCCESS! I installed Ruby 1.9 and vrswin090207, and your code works as > > advertised. Apparently it can't be done with Ruby 1.8 and/or the older > > version of vrswin. > > > > One final question. Do you know how I can have the FileDialog open to a > > predetermined directory, instead of the directory where the program is > > started? That's the last key to my puzzle. I tried using a > > Dir.chdir(mydirectory), but that didn't seem to work. > > > > --Alex > > -- > > Posted viahttp://www.ruby-forum.com/.