# Pop Up for Setting directory path

I am trying to build certain modules in Mathematica 9. I want it to dynamically ask for the directory path ( like file explorer ) when the code cell is executed.

How can I do that ?

(*================================================= DIRECTORY CONTROL \============================================*)

Directory[];
(*current directory*)
SetDirectory[NotebookDirectory[]];(*set to local roaming directory *)

SetDirectory["File_Directory"];
(* set to local roaming SubDirectory *)

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@rm-rf -rf Thank you. How can I enable the pop up by default. Shift+Enter should display the folder Browser window. Is there a method to do that ? – abhilash sukumari Apr 24 '13 at 21:58

To choose the directory interactively, use SystemDialogInput, which brings up a native dialog

SystemDialogInput["Directory"]


If successful, it'll return the chosen directory as a string, or return \$Canceled if you select "Cancel".

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Exactly what I want. – abhilash sukumari Apr 24 '13 at 22:04
thanks @rm -rf ... – abhilash sukumari Apr 24 '13 at 22:04
Any way to add custom message like : choose the sub folder or choose the subsubfolder ... It may create confusion when more than one such dialog pop up right ... – abhilash sukumari Apr 24 '13 at 22:10
It would be bad UX to have multiple popups appearing at the same time for such a simple (and common) operation. Instead, if you're using something like a Button[] for your interface, consider a descriptive name for the button, such as Button["Choose directory", dir = SystemDialogInput["Directory"]] – R. M. Apr 24 '13 at 22:13
Ok sounds good. Thanks a lot ! – abhilash sukumari Apr 24 '13 at 22:17