This class combines the Windows XP/Win2000 Open/Save dialog that uses APIs to generate the dialog with the IFileDialog interface used in Vista and higher. Basically, the class is a unicode-friendly dialog option as a drop-in, self-contained class. Do note that the class has been hard-coded to not run on any O/S less than XP/Win2000.
Though the class makes heavy use of calling to interfaces not known to VB, it does not use type libraries (TLBs). However, I have made every effort to make it compatible to TLBs you may be using in your project. In other words, objects returned by this class through its events or functions should be 100% compatible with a TLB that defines interfaces that this class is using. Anything less would be an oversight by me and considered a "bug report".
This class has absolutely no real benefit over existing code you may already be using unless you want more advanced options. Some of those options include:
- XP/Win2000: class-generated thunks for hooking the dialog. Those thunks result in raised events from the class to its host, i.e., form, usercontrol, other class, etc.
- Vista and higher
-- Customize by adding additional controls to the dialog and receive events for those controls
-- Add a read-only checkbox back to the dialog that populates the common OFN_ReadOnly flag
-- Interact with the dialog via class-generated thunks that raise events from the class to its host
-- Use embedded custom configurations. There are currently 7 of those.
1. Browse for Folders while showing file names too
2. Navigate into compressed folders (zips) while being able to select the zip itself or one of its contained files
3. Show both files and folder and be able to select either folders or files or both
4. Four "basket mode" settings which allows selecting files/folders across multiple directories. Similar to "Add to my Basket" button.
-- All custom mode button captions can be assigned by you or default to locale-aware captions (see screenshot below)
Nearly all of the advanced Vista options are incorporated into this class, but not all. If you find you need anything more that is not offered, modify as needed.
If you just want a simple Open/Save dialog where the filter is: All Files, the code needed for the dialog is as simple as:
Want to add the "Read-Only" checkbox back to the dialog?
Want a "Browse for Folder" like dialog that also shows files (not doable with newer dialog using standard options)?
The screenshot below highlights locale-aware captions. The only one I haven't been able to find is a locale-aware caption like: All Files. That would be a nice-touch. But since I haven't found it yet in a common DLL, the dialog filter is hard-coded as "All Files" if you do not provide your own filter.
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The sample project offers examples of several dialog variations. The class itself is heavily commented.
Though the class makes heavy use of calling to interfaces not known to VB, it does not use type libraries (TLBs). However, I have made every effort to make it compatible to TLBs you may be using in your project. In other words, objects returned by this class through its events or functions should be 100% compatible with a TLB that defines interfaces that this class is using. Anything less would be an oversight by me and considered a "bug report".
This class has absolutely no real benefit over existing code you may already be using unless you want more advanced options. Some of those options include:
- XP/Win2000: class-generated thunks for hooking the dialog. Those thunks result in raised events from the class to its host, i.e., form, usercontrol, other class, etc.
- Vista and higher
-- Customize by adding additional controls to the dialog and receive events for those controls
-- Add a read-only checkbox back to the dialog that populates the common OFN_ReadOnly flag
-- Interact with the dialog via class-generated thunks that raise events from the class to its host
-- Use embedded custom configurations. There are currently 7 of those.
1. Browse for Folders while showing file names too
2. Navigate into compressed folders (zips) while being able to select the zip itself or one of its contained files
3. Show both files and folder and be able to select either folders or files or both
4. Four "basket mode" settings which allows selecting files/folders across multiple directories. Similar to "Add to my Basket" button.
-- All custom mode button captions can be assigned by you or default to locale-aware captions (see screenshot below)
Nearly all of the advanced Vista options are incorporated into this class, but not all. If you find you need anything more that is not offered, modify as needed.
If you just want a simple Open/Save dialog where the filter is: All Files, the code needed for the dialog is as simple as:
Code:
Dim cBrowser As OSDialogEx
Set cBrowser = New OSDialogEx
If cBrowser.ShowOpen(Me.hWnd) = True Then
MsgBox "File Selected: " & cBrowser.FileName
End IfCode:
Dim cBrowser As OSDialogEx
Set cBrowser = New OSDialogEx
cBrowser.Controls_AddReadOnlyOption 100 ' << user-defined Control ID
If cBrowser.ShowOpen(Me.hWnd) = True Then
MsgBox "File Selected and Read-Only opted for: " & CBool(cBrowser.Flags And Dlg_ReadOnly)
End IfCode:
Dim cBrowser As OSDialogEx
Set cBrowser = New OSDialogEx
cBrowser.Controls_SetCustomMode cm_BrowseFoldersShowFiles
If cBrowser.ShowOpen(Me.hWnd) = True Then
MsgBox "Selected Folder: " & cBrowser.FileName
End IfThe sample project offers examples of several dialog variations. The class itself is heavily commented.