Provide a start path (folder) in a file dialog box

[Broken_Arrow]

Is there a way to have a file dialog box start in a specific folder without using the File Dialog express VI? (I also don't want to use a system exec).

Thanks.

[Norbert_B]

I think you are seeking for the "browse options" of the path controls (browse button).

hope this helps,

Norbert 

[Broken_Arrow]

That would work, but I'm not using a control. The program just starts and says "name your logfile". But I want it to start in a specific location every time, even if the user navigated off of that folder the last time they used it.

[elset191]

[Norbert_B]

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Broken Arrow wrote:
[...]even if the user navigated off of that folder the last time they used it.

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How does the user navigate if there is no tree or dialog at all? If you use the dialog, why are you not using the express dialog, which is infact the only dialog option left for browsing files except the path control?

Norbert 

[elset191]

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Norbert B wrote: 

How does the user navigate if there is no tree or dialog at all? If you use the dialog, why are you not using the express dialog, which is infact the only dialog option left for browsing files except the path control?

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Some VI's (Read From Spreadsheet, e.g.)  automatically open a dialog, if a path is not passed in.

Message Edited by elset191 on 09-01-2009 09:51 AM

[Broken_Arrow]

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elset191 wrote:

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Norbert B wrote: 

How does the user navigate if there is no tree or dialog at all? If you use the dialog, why are you not using the express dialog, which is infact the only dialog option left for browsing files except the path control?

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Some VI's (Read From Spreadsheet, e.g.)  automatically open a dialog, if a path is not passed in.

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Exactly. In my case I was using the Open/Create/Replace File function which does the same.

Your picture shows what I don't want to do - it uses the express VI. I guess what I'm asking is, can it be done with native functions?

[elset191 · Accepted solution]

If you open up the front panel to the express VI and follow the VI calls you eventually get to File Dialog.vi.  Seemingly what you're looking for.

[Norbert_B]

I was refering to functions which support the desired feature. As you already encountered, the Open/Create/Replace File.vi does not support this.

The Express VI "File Dialog.vi" uses the same file dialog as used in the example "Write to Text File.vi". You can find the VI using the link in the help of Open/Create/Replace File.vi.

Please note that the context help of this File Dialog states that "LabVIEW no longer supports this function on the block diagram. National Instruments recommends you use the File Dialog Express VI instead."

I assume that this text is written due to being platform-independent. It still works under Windows, but i can think of future releases of LV not to support this feature anymore (as stated in the help).

And still, you did not answer why you don't want to use the express vi....

Norbert

Message Edited by Norbert B on 09-01-2009 10:08 AM

[Broken_Arrow]

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Norbert B wrote:

And still, you did not answer why you don't want to use the express vi....

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Because it's an express VI.

Digging deeper into the VI, it actually calls a function. I wonder why LabVIEW doesn't supply this function on the palette?