Selecting files using the file dialog

KWord uses a common dialog box for all file related actions (saving, loading, or selecting new files for insertion into the document). An example is shown below.



This section will look more closely at the dialogs and detail their use.

The large box below that shows I currently have 1 folder in this directory, entitled Past Work, and 3 files (Job Description, Newsletter and Resume).

Toolbar

This example dialog shows the current directory is /home/mmcbride/kword. You can see this by the textbox at the top of the dialog. If you click on this drop down box, you will see common and recently visited directories. By selecting one of these directories, you will be immediately moved to that directory and the dialog box will update the file list.

In the upper left corner, is a blue arrow pointed up. This arrow will take you up one level in the directory structure.

The next two buttons are backwards and forward buttons. These buttons work just like an internet browser, where you can use the back button to travel to the previous directory, and the forward button to advance into a directory you just came from.

Next to the arrow buttons, is a button that looks like a house. Clicking this will take you to your home directory.

Next to the home button, is a reload button. Clicking this button, causes KWord to reload the current directory if new files have been added or deleted.

Next to the reload button, is a button with a gray ribbon on it. This button allows you to set and navigate through bookmarks. This is a quick way to jump to commonly accessed directories. By clicking this button, a submenu appears which allows you to add bookmarks or jump to a new bookmark.

Next to the bookmark button, is a button with a gear on it, called the Extras Button. Clicking this button brings up a sub menu with several entries:

New Directory

Create a new subdirectory in the current directory. KWord will automatically move you into this new subdirectory once it is created.

Delete

This will delete the selected file, not the current document.

Sorting

This will bring up another submenu. You can sort the files by filename, by date, or by size. Selecting the Reverse option will reverse the sort order. Selecting Directories First will place the directories above all other files in the dialog box. Selecting Case insensitive will sort filenames regardless of capitalization.

View

This will also bring up a submenu. You can use the options in this submenu to change the appearance of the file dialog.

Properties

If you have selected a file in the dialog box, when you select this option you will be given all of the properties of the selected file.

There are two buttons next to the Extras Button which switch between Short View and Detailed View

Just to the left of the directory box, is the Preview Button, which toggles the preview window in the dialog. If the button is depressed, a preview box appears in the right of the dialog. If it is not pressed, the file list box is larger.

Location Bar

Along the left side of the dialog box, is a column that contains several icons. You can think of each of these icons as a shortcut to another subdirectory. If you click on an icon, you will be immediately moved to that location.

You can add/edit or delete entries from the Location Bar. Simply click with the right mouse button and a small submenu will appear.

File Name and Filters

The text box labled Location is blank, which indicates no file is currently selected. This text box will contain the filename of the currently selected file when loading new documents or files into KWord. When saving a file, you will enter the desired filename in this text box.

The text box labled Filter shows we are only looking at KWord files. By clicking on the drop down box, you can select from several different file formats. You can also select All supported files to display all files that are supported by KWord. The file types available will change depending on the specific task at hand.

There is a Cancel button, if you click this button, the action will be aborted, and you will return to editing the document.

There is an OK button, which will be used when we have selected the correct filename.

Using this dialog, you can move through the directory tree to find any location on your computer.

To enter a folder click on that folder. To exit that folder, click the blue up arrow button.

Note

This dialog box is used in many different tasks in KWord. The task will determine the exact effect of the information you have entered into this dialog box. For more information on the exact effect, see the documentation on that task.