The GetFile(opts) calling sequence displays a file dialog that allows the user to choose a file. The value returned is the string corresponding to the chosen file. If a file is not selected, NULL is returned.

This is a front-end to the FileDialog command. As such, leading and trailing spaces in filenames are automatically removed when a file is selected, and quoted filenames are also handled correctly.

Optionally, the GetFile utility validates the existence of a file.

The opts argument can contain one or more of the following equations that set Maplet application options.

approvecaption = string or symbol

The text that appears on the button that is clicked to select the file. By default, the value is Open.

approvecheck = true or false

Indicates whether the existence of the file should be checked before exiting the Maplet application. By default, the value is true. If this is set to true, and the file is not present, an error dialog indicating this is displayed, and the Maplet application does not exit until a file is correctly chosen or the 'Cancel' button is pressed.

directory = string or symbol

Initial directory in which the file dialog opens.

filefilter = string or symbol

The extension of the files that display.  By default, the value is "*", that is, all files are shown. It can also be used with other extensions, for example, "mws", "m", or "mpl".

filename = string or symbol

Initial filename when the file dialog opens. By default this is null.

filterdescription = string or symbol

A description of the filefilter. By default, this is all files.

height = posint

The height of the file dialog in pixels.

resizable = true or false

Whether the file dialog is resizable. By default this is true.

reference = name or string

A reference for the GetFile element.

If the reference is specified by both an index, for example, GetFile[refID], and in the calling sequence, an error results.

title = string or symbol

Specifies the Maplet application title.  By default, the title is Get File.

width = posint

The width of the file dialog in pixels.