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I thought I write a super-simple program to import all (Excel)files from a directory a user can choose>

Manipulate[
 dirName = SetDirectory[DirectoryName[importOneFileName]];
 dataFiles = FileNames["*.xls*", dirName]

 , {{importOneFileName, "", "Load Files"}, FileNameSetter[#] &}
 ]

This is actually working. However, I always get an error messages regarding the SetDirectory[]. I can, of course, write

Quiet@SetDirectory[DirectoryName[importOneFileName]]

which works. But having an error message always seems odd. I found that others have similar problems with FileNameSetter[]. Maybe Quiet is the best that can be done here.

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7
  • $\begingroup$ Why not just do this? Doesn't it accomplish the same thing, in much less code? DynamicModule[{selectedDir}, Column[{FileNameSetter[Dynamic[selectedDir], "Directory"], Dynamic[FileNames["*.xlsx", selectedDir]]}]] $\endgroup$
    – ktm
    Commented Sep 11, 2018 at 13:02
  • $\begingroup$ Most likely ... I know how to use Manipulate, but haven't had time to properly dive into Dynamics, although it seems much more flexible. But thanks so far! $\endgroup$
    – Mockup Dungeon
    Commented Sep 11, 2018 at 13:07
  • $\begingroup$ I believe it is a more straightforward way to achieve what you're after. $\endgroup$
    – ktm
    Commented Sep 11, 2018 at 13:08
  • $\begingroup$ just change FileNameSetter[#] & to FileNameSetter[#, "Directory"] &? $\endgroup$
    – kglr
    Commented Sep 11, 2018 at 13:12
  • $\begingroup$ @kglr Simplifies the code, which is nice, but the error message is still there. $\endgroup$
    – Mockup Dungeon
    Commented Sep 11, 2018 at 13:31

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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Just don't run the code if the file name is not set:

Manipulate[
  If[
    FileExistsQ @ importOneFileName,

    dirName = SetDirectory[DirectoryName[importOneFileName]];
    dataFiles = FileNames["*.xls*", dirName],

    ""
  ], 
  {{importOneFileName, " ", "Load Files"}, FileNameSetter[#] &  }
]
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You may use SystemDialogInput with the "Directory" input type to have the user select a directory directly. Check a directory has been chosen by comparing the result to $Canceled.

dir = SystemDialogInput["Directory"];
If[dir =!= $Canceled,
 "Process directory",
 "No directory to process"
 ]

Hope this helps.

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