QFileDialog Class

The QFileDialog class provides a dialog that allow users to select files or directories. More...

Header: #include <QFileDialog>
CMake: find_package(Qt6 REQUIRED COMPONENTS Widgets)
target_link_libraries(mytarget PRIVATE Qt6::Widgets)
qmake: QT += widgets
Inherits: QDialog

Public Types

enum AcceptMode { AcceptOpen, AcceptSave }
enum DialogLabel { LookIn, FileName, FileType, Accept, Reject }
enum FileMode { AnyFile, ExistingFile, Directory, ExistingFiles }
enum Option { ShowDirsOnly, DontResolveSymlinks, DontConfirmOverwrite, DontUseNativeDialog, ReadOnly, …, DontUseCustomDirectoryIcons }
flags Options
enum ViewMode { Detail, List }

Properties

Public Functions

QFileDialog(QWidget *parent, Qt::WindowFlags flags)
QFileDialog(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &directory = QString(), const QString &filter = QString())
virtual ~QFileDialog()
QFileDialog::AcceptMode acceptMode() const
QString defaultSuffix() const
QDir directory() const
QUrl directoryUrl() const
QFileDialog::FileMode fileMode() const
QDir::Filters filter() const
QStringList history() const
QAbstractFileIconProvider *iconProvider() const
QAbstractItemDelegate *itemDelegate() const
QString labelText(QFileDialog::DialogLabel label) const
QStringList mimeTypeFilters() const
QStringList nameFilters() const
void open(QObject *receiver, const char *member)
QFileDialog::Options options() const
QAbstractProxyModel *proxyModel() const
bool restoreState(const QByteArray &state)
QByteArray saveState() const
void selectFile(const QString &filename)
void selectMimeTypeFilter(const QString &filter)
void selectNameFilter(const QString &filter)
void selectUrl(const QUrl &url)
QStringList selectedFiles() const
QString selectedMimeTypeFilter() const
QString selectedNameFilter() const
QList<QUrl> selectedUrls() const
void setAcceptMode(QFileDialog::AcceptMode mode)
void setDefaultSuffix(const QString &suffix)
void setDirectory(const QString &directory)
void setDirectory(const QDir &directory)
void setDirectoryUrl(const QUrl &directory)
void setFileMode(QFileDialog::FileMode mode)
void setFilter(QDir::Filters filters)
void setHistory(const QStringList &paths)
void setIconProvider(QAbstractFileIconProvider *provider)
void setItemDelegate(QAbstractItemDelegate *delegate)
void setLabelText(QFileDialog::DialogLabel label, const QString &text)
void setMimeTypeFilters(const QStringList &filters)
void setNameFilter(const QString &filter)
void setNameFilters(const QStringList &filters)
void setOption(QFileDialog::Option option, bool on = true)
void setOptions(QFileDialog::Options options)
void setProxyModel(QAbstractProxyModel *proxyModel)
void setSidebarUrls(const QList<QUrl> &urls)
void setSupportedSchemes(const QStringList &schemes)
void setViewMode(QFileDialog::ViewMode mode)
QList<QUrl> sidebarUrls() const
QStringList supportedSchemes() const
bool testOption(QFileDialog::Option option) const
QFileDialog::ViewMode viewMode() const

Reimplemented Public Functions

virtual void setVisible(bool visible) override

Signals

void currentChanged(const QString &path)
void currentUrlChanged(const QUrl &url)
void directoryEntered(const QString &directory)
void directoryUrlEntered(const QUrl &directory)
void fileSelected(const QString &file)
void filesSelected(const QStringList &selected)
void filterSelected(const QString &filter)
void urlSelected(const QUrl &url)
void urlsSelected(const QList<QUrl> &urls)

Static Public Members

QString getExistingDirectory(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &dir = QString(), QFileDialog::Options options = ShowDirsOnly)
QUrl getExistingDirectoryUrl(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QUrl &dir = QUrl(), QFileDialog::Options options = ShowDirsOnly, const QStringList &supportedSchemes = QStringList())
void getOpenFileContent(const QString &nameFilter, const std::function<void (const QString &, const QByteArray &)> &fileOpenCompleted)
QString getOpenFileName(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &dir = QString(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options())
QStringList getOpenFileNames(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &dir = QString(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options())
QUrl getOpenFileUrl(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QUrl &dir = QUrl(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options(), const QStringList &supportedSchemes = QStringList())
QList<QUrl> getOpenFileUrls(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QUrl &dir = QUrl(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options(), const QStringList &supportedSchemes = QStringList())
QString getSaveFileName(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &dir = QString(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options())
QUrl getSaveFileUrl(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QUrl &dir = QUrl(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options(), const QStringList &supportedSchemes = QStringList())
void saveFileContent(const QByteArray &fileContent, const QString &fileNameHint = QString())

Reimplemented Protected Functions

virtual void accept() override
virtual void changeEvent(QEvent *e) override
virtual void done(int result) override

Detailed Description

The QFileDialog class enables a user to traverse the file system in order to select one or many files or a directory.

The easiest way to create a QFileDialog is to use the static functions.

fileName = QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(this,
    tr("Open Image"), "/home/jana", tr("Image Files (*.png *.jpg *.bmp)"));

In the above example, a modal QFileDialog is created using a static function. The dialog initially displays the contents of the "/home/jana" directory, and displays files matching the patterns given in the string "Image Files (*.png *.jpg *.bmp)". The parent of the file dialog is set to this, and the window title is set to "Open Image".

If you want to use multiple filters, separate each one with two semicolons. For example:

"Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg);;Text files (*.txt);;XML files (*.xml)"

You can create your own QFileDialog without using the static functions. By calling setFileMode(), you can specify what the user must select in the dialog:

QFileDialog dialog(this);
dialog.setFileMode(QFileDialog::AnyFile);

In the above example, the mode of the file dialog is set to AnyFile, meaning that the user can select any file, or even specify a file that doesn't exist. This mode is useful for creating a "Save As" file dialog. Use ExistingFile if the user must select an existing file, or Directory if only a directory may be selected. See the QFileDialog::FileMode enum for the complete list of modes.

The fileMode property contains the mode of operation for the dialog; this indicates what types of objects the user is expected to select. Use setNameFilter() to set the dialog's file filter. For example:

dialog.setNameFilter(tr("Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg)"));

In the above example, the filter is set to "Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg)", this means that only files with the extension png, xpm, or jpg will be shown in the QFileDialog. You can apply several filters by using setNameFilters(). Use selectNameFilter() to select one of the filters you've given as the file dialog's default filter.

The file dialog has two view modes: List and Detail. List presents the contents of the current directory as a list of file and directory names. Detail also displays a list of file and directory names, but provides additional information alongside each name, such as the file size and modification date. Set the mode with setViewMode():

dialog.setViewMode(QFileDialog::Detail);

The last important function you will need to use when creating your own file dialog is selectedFiles().

QStringList fileNames;
if (dialog.exec())
    fileNames = dialog.selectedFiles();

In the above example, a modal file dialog is created and shown. If the user clicked OK, the file they selected is put in fileName.

The dialog's working directory can be set with setDirectory(). Each file in the current directory can be selected using the selectFile() function.

The Standard Dialogs example shows how to use QFileDialog as well as other built-in Qt dialogs.

By default, a platform-native file dialog will be used if the platform has one. In that case, the widgets which would otherwise be used to construct the dialog will not be instantiated, so related accessors such as layout() and itemDelegate() will return null. Also, not all platforms show file dialogs with a title bar, so be aware that the caption text might not be visible to the user. You can set the DontUseNativeDialog option to ensure that the widget-based implementation will be used instead of the native dialog.

See also QDir, QFileInfo, QFile, QColorDialog, QFontDialog, and Standard Dialogs Example.

Member Type Documentation

enum QFileDialog::AcceptMode

ConstantValue
QFileDialog::AcceptOpen0
QFileDialog::AcceptSave1

enum QFileDialog::DialogLabel

ConstantValue
QFileDialog::LookIn0
QFileDialog::FileName1
QFileDialog::FileType2
QFileDialog::Accept3
QFileDialog::Reject4

enum QFileDialog::FileMode

This enum is used to indicate what the user may select in the file dialog; i.e. what the dialog will return if the user clicks OK.

ConstantValueDescription
QFileDialog::AnyFile0The name of a file, whether it exists or not.
QFileDialog::ExistingFile1The name of a single existing file.
QFileDialog::Directory2The name of a directory. Both files and directories are displayed. However, the native Windows file dialog does not support displaying files in the directory chooser.
QFileDialog::ExistingFiles3The names of zero or more existing files.

See also setFileMode().

enum QFileDialog::Option
flags QFileDialog::Options

ConstantValueDescription
QFileDialog::ShowDirsOnly0x00000001Only show directories in the file dialog. By default both files and directories are shown. (Valid only in the Directory file mode.)
QFileDialog::DontResolveSymlinks0x00000002Don't resolve symlinks in the file dialog. By default symlinks are resolved.
QFileDialog::DontConfirmOverwrite0x00000004Don't ask for confirmation if an existing file is selected. By default, confirmation is requested. (Valid only if acceptMode is AcceptSave).

Note: This option is not supported on macOS when using the native file dialog.

ConstantValueDescription
QFileDialog::DontUseNativeDialog0x00000008Don't use the native file dialog. By default, the native file dialog is used unless you use a subclass of QFileDialog that contains the Q_OBJECT macro, or the platform does not have a native dialog of the type that you require.

Note: This option must be set before changing dialog properties or showing the dialog.

ConstantValueDescription
QFileDialog::ReadOnly0x00000010Indicates that the model is readonly.
QFileDialog::HideNameFilterDetails0x00000020Indicates if the file name filter details are hidden or not.
QFileDialog::DontUseCustomDirectoryIcons0x00000040Always use the default directory icon. Some platforms allow the user to set a different icon. Custom icon lookup cause a big performance impact over network or removable drives. Setting this will enable the QFileIconProvider::DontUseCustomDirectoryIcons option in the icon provider. This enum value was added in Qt 5.2.

The Options type is a typedef for QFlags<Option>. It stores an OR combination of Option values.

enum QFileDialog::ViewMode

This enum describes the view mode of the file dialog; i.e. what information about each file will be displayed.

ConstantValueDescription
QFileDialog::Detail0Displays an icon, a name, and details for each item in the directory.
QFileDialog::List1Displays only an icon and a name for each item in the directory.

See also setViewMode().

Property Documentation

acceptMode : AcceptMode

This property holds the accept mode of the dialog

The action mode defines whether the dialog is for opening or saving files.

By default, this property is set to AcceptOpen.

Access functions:

QFileDialog::AcceptMode acceptMode() const
void setAcceptMode(QFileDialog::AcceptMode mode)

See also AcceptMode.

defaultSuffix : QString

suffix added to the filename if no other suffix was specified

This property specifies a string that will be added to the filename if it has no suffix already. The suffix is typically used to indicate the file type (e.g. "txt" indicates a text file).

If the first character is a dot ('.'), it is removed.

Access functions:

QString defaultSuffix() const
void setDefaultSuffix(const QString &suffix)

fileMode : FileMode

This property holds the file mode of the dialog

The file mode defines the number and type of items that the user is expected to select in the dialog.

By default, this property is set to AnyFile.

This function will set the labels for the FileName and Accept DialogLabels. It is possible to set custom text after the call to setFileMode().

Access functions:

QFileDialog::FileMode fileMode() const
void setFileMode(QFileDialog::FileMode mode)

See also FileMode.

options : Options

This property holds the various options that affect the look and feel of the dialog

By default, all options are disabled.

Options (particularly the DontUseNativeDialog option) should be set before changing dialog properties or showing the dialog.

Setting options while the dialog is visible is not guaranteed to have an immediate effect on the dialog (depending on the option and on the platform).

Setting options after changing other properties may cause these values to have no effect.

Access functions:

QFileDialog::Options options() const
void setOptions(QFileDialog::Options options)

See also setOption() and testOption().

supportedSchemes : QStringList

This property holds the URL schemes that the file dialog should allow navigating to.

Setting this property allows to restrict the type of URLs the user will be able to select. It is a way for the application to declare the protocols it will support to fetch the file content. An empty list means that no restriction is applied (the default). Supported for local files ("file" scheme) is implicit and always enabled; it is not necessary to include it in the restriction.

Access functions:

QStringList supportedSchemes() const
void setSupportedSchemes(const QStringList &schemes)

viewMode : ViewMode

This property holds the way files and directories are displayed in the dialog

By default, the Detail mode is used to display information about files and directories.

Access functions:

QFileDialog::ViewMode viewMode() const
void setViewMode(QFileDialog::ViewMode mode)

See also ViewMode.

Member Function Documentation

QFileDialog::QFileDialog(QWidget *parent, Qt::WindowFlags flags)

Constructs a file dialog with the given parent and widget flags.

[explicit] QFileDialog::QFileDialog(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &directory = QString(), const QString &filter = QString())

Constructs a file dialog with the given parent and caption that initially displays the contents of the specified directory. The contents of the directory are filtered before being shown in the dialog, using a semicolon-separated list of filters specified by filter.

[virtual noexcept] QFileDialog::~QFileDialog()

Destroys the file dialog.

[override virtual protected] void QFileDialog::accept()

Reimplements: QDialog::accept().

[override virtual protected] void QFileDialog::changeEvent(QEvent *e)

Reimplements: QWidget::changeEvent(QEvent *event).

[signal] void QFileDialog::currentChanged(const QString &path)

When the current file changes for local operations, this signal is emitted with the new file name as the path parameter.

See also filesSelected().

[signal] void QFileDialog::currentUrlChanged(const QUrl &url)

When the current file changes, this signal is emitted with the new file URL as the url parameter.

See also urlsSelected().

QDir QFileDialog::directory() const

Returns the directory currently being displayed in the dialog.

See also setDirectory().

[signal] void QFileDialog::directoryEntered(const QString &directory)

This signal is emitted for local operations when the user enters a directory.

QUrl QFileDialog::directoryUrl() const

Returns the url of the directory currently being displayed in the dialog.

See also setDirectoryUrl().

[signal] void QFileDialog::directoryUrlEntered(const QUrl &directory)

This signal is emitted when the user enters a directory.

[override virtual protected] void QFileDialog::done(int result)

Reimplements: QDialog::done(int r).

[signal] void QFileDialog::fileSelected(const QString &file)

When the selection changes for local operations and the dialog is accepted, this signal is emitted with the (possibly empty) selected file.

See also currentChanged() and QDialog::Accepted.

[signal] void QFileDialog::filesSelected(const QStringList &selected)

When the selection changes for local operations and the dialog is accepted, this signal is emitted with the (possibly empty) list of selected files.

See also currentChanged() and QDialog::Accepted.

QDir::Filters QFileDialog::filter() const

Returns the filter that is used when displaying files.

See also setFilter().

[signal] void QFileDialog::filterSelected(const QString &filter)

This signal is emitted when the user selects a filter.

[static] QString QFileDialog::getExistingDirectory(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &dir = QString(), QFileDialog::Options options = ShowDirsOnly)

This is a convenience static function that will return an existing directory selected by the user.

QString dir = QFileDialog::getExistingDirectory(this, tr("Open Directory"),
                                                "/home",
                                                QFileDialog::ShowDirsOnly
                                                | QFileDialog::DontResolveSymlinks);

This function creates a modal file dialog with the given parent widget. If parent is not nullptr, the dialog will be shown centered over the parent widget.

The dialog's working directory is set to dir, and the caption is set to caption. Either of these may be an empty string in which case the current directory and a default caption will be used respectively.

The options argument holds various options about how to run the dialog, see the QFileDialog::Option enum for more information on the flags you can pass. To ensure a native file dialog, ShowDirsOnly must be set.

On Windows and macOS, this static function will use the native file dialog and not a QFileDialog. However, the native Windows file dialog does not support displaying files in the directory chooser. You need to pass DontUseNativeDialog to display files using a QFileDialog.

Note that the macOS native file dialog does not show a title bar.

On Unix/X11, the normal behavior of the file dialog is to resolve and follow symlinks. For example, if /usr/tmp is a symlink to /var/tmp, the file dialog will change to /var/tmp after entering /usr/tmp. If options includes DontResolveSymlinks, the file dialog will treat symlinks as regular directories.

On Windows, the dialog will spin a blocking modal event loop that will not dispatch any QTimers, and if parent is not nullptr then it will position the dialog just below the parent's title bar.

Warning: Do not delete parent during the execution of the dialog. If you want to do this, you should create the dialog yourself using one of the QFileDialog constructors.

See also getOpenFileName(), getOpenFileNames(), and getSaveFileName().

[static] QUrl QFileDialog::getExistingDirectoryUrl(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QUrl &dir = QUrl(), QFileDialog::Options options = ShowDirsOnly, const QStringList &supportedSchemes = QStringList())

This is a convenience static function that will return an existing directory selected by the user. If the user presses Cancel, it returns an empty url.

The function is used similarly to QFileDialog::getExistingDirectory(). In particular parent, caption, dir and options are used in the exact same way.

The main difference with QFileDialog::getExistingDirectory() comes from the ability offered to the user to select a remote directory. That's why the return type and the type of dir is QUrl.

The supportedSchemes argument allows to restrict the type of URLs the user will be able to select. It is a way for the application to declare the protocols it will support to fetch the file content. An empty list means that no restriction is applied (the default). Supported for local files ("file" scheme) is implicit and always enabled; it is not necessary to include it in the restriction.

When possible, this static function will use the native file dialog and not a QFileDialog. On platforms which don't support selecting remote files, Qt will allow to select only local files.

See also getExistingDirectory(), getOpenFileUrl(), getOpenFileUrls(), and getSaveFileUrl().

[static] void QFileDialog::getOpenFileContent(const QString &nameFilter, const std::function<void (const QString &, const QByteArray &)> &fileOpenCompleted)

This is a convenience static function that will return the content of a file selected by the user.

This function is used to access local files on Qt for WebAssembly, where the web sandbox places restrictions on how such access may happen. Its implementation will make the browser display a native file dialog, where the user makes the file selection based on the parameter nameFilter.

It can also be used on other platforms, where it will fall back to using QFileDialog.

The function is asynchronous and returns immediately. The fileOpenCompleted callback will be called when a file has been selected and its contents have been read into memory.

auto fileContentReady = [](const QString &fileName, const QByteArray &fileContent) {
    if (fileName.isEmpty()) {
        // No file was selected
    } else {
        // Use fileName and fileContent
    }
};
QFileDialog::getOpenFileContent("Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg)",  fileContentReady);

[static] QString QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &dir = QString(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options())

This is a convenience static function that returns an existing file selected by the user. If the user presses Cancel, it returns a null string.

QString fileName = QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(this, tr("Open File"),
                                                "/home",
                                                tr("Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg)"));

The function creates a modal file dialog with the given parent widget. If parent is not nullptr, the dialog will be shown centered over the parent widget.

The file dialog's working directory will be set to dir. If dir includes a file name, the file will be selected. Only files that match the given filter are shown. The filter selected is set to selectedFilter. The parameters dir, selectedFilter, and filter may be empty strings. If you want multiple filters, separate them with ';;', for example:

"Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg);;Text files (*.txt);;XML files (*.xml)"

The options argument holds various options about how to run the dialog, see the QFileDialog::Option enum for more information on the flags you can pass.

The dialog's caption is set to caption. If caption is not specified then a default caption will be used.

On Windows, and macOS, this static function will use the native file dialog and not a QFileDialog. Note that the macOS native file dialog does not show a title bar.

On Windows the dialog will spin a blocking modal event loop that will not dispatch any QTimers, and if parent is not nullptr then it will position the dialog just below the parent's title bar.

On Unix/X11, the normal behavior of the file dialog is to resolve and follow symlinks. For example, if /usr/tmp is a symlink to /var/tmp, the file dialog will change to /var/tmp after entering /usr/tmp. If options includes DontResolveSymlinks, the file dialog will treat symlinks as regular directories.

Warning: Do not delete parent during the execution of the dialog. If you want to do this, you should create the dialog yourself using one of the QFileDialog constructors.

See also getOpenFileNames(), getSaveFileName(), and getExistingDirectory().

[static] QStringList QFileDialog::getOpenFileNames(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &dir = QString(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options())

This is a convenience static function that will return one or more existing files selected by the user.

QStringList files = QFileDialog::getOpenFileNames(
                        this,
                        "Select one or more files to open",
                        "/home",
                        "Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg)");

This function creates a modal file dialog with the given parent widget. If parent is not nullptr, the dialog will be shown centered over the parent widget.

The file dialog's working directory will be set to dir. If dir includes a file name, the file will be selected. The filter is set to filter so that only those files which match the filter are shown. The filter selected is set to selectedFilter. The parameters dir, selectedFilter and filter may be empty strings. If you need multiple filters, separate them with ';;', for instance:

"Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg);;Text files (*.txt);;XML files (*.xml)"

The dialog's caption is set to caption. If caption is not specified then a default caption will be used.

On Windows, and macOS, this static function will use the native file dialog and not a QFileDialog. Note that the macOS native file dialog does not show a title bar.

On Windows the dialog will spin a blocking modal event loop that will not dispatch any QTimers, and if parent is not nullptr then it will position the dialog just below the parent's title bar.

On Unix/X11, the normal behavior of the file dialog is to resolve and follow symlinks. For example, if /usr/tmp is a symlink to /var/tmp, the file dialog will change to /var/tmp after entering /usr/tmp. The options argument holds various options about how to run the dialog, see the QFileDialog::Option enum for more information on the flags you can pass.

Warning: Do not delete parent during the execution of the dialog. If you want to do this, you should create the dialog yourself using one of the QFileDialog constructors.

See also getOpenFileName(), getSaveFileName(), and getExistingDirectory().

[static] QUrl QFileDialog::getOpenFileUrl(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QUrl &dir = QUrl(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options(), const QStringList &supportedSchemes = QStringList())

This is a convenience static function that returns an existing file selected by the user. If the user presses Cancel, it returns an empty url.

The function is used similarly to QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(). In particular parent, caption, dir, filter, selectedFilter and options are used in the exact same way.

The main difference with QFileDialog::getOpenFileName() comes from the ability offered to the user to select a remote file. That's why the return type and the type of dir is QUrl.

The supportedSchemes argument allows to restrict the type of URLs the user will be able to select. It is a way for the application to declare the protocols it will support to fetch the file content. An empty list means that no restriction is applied (the default). Supported for local files ("file" scheme) is implicit and always enabled; it is not necessary to include it in the restriction.

When possible, this static function will use the native file dialog and not a QFileDialog. On platforms which don't support selecting remote files, Qt will allow to select only local files.

See also getOpenFileName(), getOpenFileUrls(), getSaveFileUrl(), and getExistingDirectoryUrl().

[static] QList<QUrl> QFileDialog::getOpenFileUrls(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QUrl &dir = QUrl(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options(), const QStringList &supportedSchemes = QStringList())

This is a convenience static function that will return one or more existing files selected by the user. If the user presses Cancel, it returns an empty list.

The function is used similarly to QFileDialog::getOpenFileNames(). In particular parent, caption, dir, filter, selectedFilter and options are used in the exact same way.

The main difference with QFileDialog::getOpenFileNames() comes from the ability offered to the user to select remote files. That's why the return type and the type of dir are respectively QList<QUrl> and QUrl.

The supportedSchemes argument allows to restrict the type of URLs the user will be able to select. It is a way for the application to declare the protocols it will support to fetch the file content. An empty list means that no restriction is applied (the default). Supported for local files ("file" scheme) is implicit and always enabled; it is not necessary to include it in the restriction.

When possible, this static function will use the native file dialog and not a QFileDialog. On platforms which don't support selecting remote files, Qt will allow to select only local files.

See also getOpenFileNames(), getOpenFileUrl(), getSaveFileUrl(), and getExistingDirectoryUrl().

[static] QString QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QString &dir = QString(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options())

This is a convenience static function that will return a file name selected by the user. The file does not have to exist.

It creates a modal file dialog with the given parent widget. If parent is not nullptr, the dialog will be shown centered over the parent widget.

QString fileName = QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(this, tr("Save File"),
                           "/home/jana/untitled.png",
                           tr("Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg)"));

The file dialog's working directory will be set to dir. If dir includes a file name, the file will be selected. Only files that match the filter are shown. The filter selected is set to selectedFilter. The parameters dir, selectedFilter, and filter may be empty strings. Multiple filters are separated with ';;'. For instance:

"Images (*.png *.xpm *.jpg);;Text files (*.txt);;XML files (*.xml)"

The options argument holds various options about how to run the dialog, see the QFileDialog::Option enum for more information on the flags you can pass.

The default filter can be chosen by setting selectedFilter to the desired value.

The dialog's caption is set to caption. If caption is not specified, a default caption will be used.

On Windows, and macOS, this static function will use the native file dialog and not a QFileDialog.

On Windows the dialog will spin a blocking modal event loop that will not dispatch any QTimers, and if parent is not nullptr then it will position the dialog just below the parent's title bar. On macOS, with its native file dialog, the filter argument is ignored.

On Unix/X11, the normal behavior of the file dialog is to resolve and follow symlinks. For example, if /usr/tmp is a symlink to /var/tmp, the file dialog will change to /var/tmp after entering /usr/tmp. If options includes DontResolveSymlinks the file dialog will treat symlinks as regular directories.

Warning: Do not delete parent during the execution of the dialog. If you want to do this, you should create the dialog yourself using one of the QFileDialog constructors.

See also getOpenFileName(), getOpenFileNames(), and getExistingDirectory().

[static] QUrl QFileDialog::getSaveFileUrl(QWidget *parent = nullptr, const QString &caption = QString(), const QUrl &dir = QUrl(), const QString &filter = QString(), QString *selectedFilter = nullptr, QFileDialog::Options options = Options(), const QStringList &supportedSchemes = QStringList())

This is a convenience static function that returns a file selected by the user. The file does not have to exist. If the user presses Cancel, it returns an empty url.

The function is used similarly to QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(). In particular parent, caption, dir, filter, selectedFilter and options are used in the exact same way.

The main difference with QFileDialog::getSaveFileName() comes from the ability offered to the user to select a remote file. That's why the return type and the type of dir is QUrl.

The supportedSchemes argument allows to restrict the type of URLs the user will be able to select. It is a way for the application to declare the protocols it will support to save the file content. An empty list means that no restriction is applied (the default). Supported for local files ("file" scheme) is implicit and always enabled; it is not necessary to include it in the restriction.

When possible, this static function will use the native file dialog and not a QFileDialog. On platforms which don't support selecting remote files, Qt will allow to select only local files.

See also getSaveFileName(), getOpenFileUrl(), getOpenFileUrls(), and getExistingDirectoryUrl().

QStringList QFileDialog::history() const

Returns the browsing history of the filedialog as a list of paths.

See also setHistory().

QAbstractFileIconProvider *QFileDialog::iconProvider() const

Returns the icon provider used by the filedialog.

See also setIconProvider().

QAbstractItemDelegate *QFileDialog::itemDelegate() const

Returns the item delegate used to render the items in the views in the filedialog.

See also setItemDelegate().

QString QFileDialog::labelText(QFileDialog::DialogLabel label) const

Returns the text shown in the filedialog in the specified label.

See also setLabelText().

QStringList QFileDialog::mimeTypeFilters() const

Returns the MIME type filters that are in operation on this file dialog.

See also setMimeTypeFilters().

QStringList QFileDialog::nameFilters() const

Returns the file type filters that are in operation on this file dialog.

See also setNameFilters().

void QFileDialog::open(QObject *receiver, const char *member)

This function connects one of its signals to the slot specified by receiver and member. The specific signal depends is filesSelected() if fileMode is ExistingFiles and fileSelected() if fileMode is anything else.

The signal will be disconnected from the slot when the dialog is closed.

QAbstractProxyModel *QFileDialog::proxyModel() const

Returns the proxy model used by the file dialog. By default no proxy is set.

See also setProxyModel().

bool QFileDialog::restoreState(const QByteArray &state)

Restores the dialogs's layout, history and current directory to the state specified.

Typically this is used in conjunction with QSettings to restore the size from a past session.

Returns false if there are errors

[static] void QFileDialog::saveFileContent(const QByteArray &fileContent, const QString &fileNameHint = QString())

This is a convenience static function that saves fileContent to a file, using a file name and location chosen by the user. fileNameHint can be provided to suggest a file name to the user.

This function is used to save files to the local file system on Qt for WebAssembly, where the web sandbox places restrictions on how such access may happen. Its implementation will make the browser display a native file dialog, where the user makes the file selection.

It can also be used on other platforms, where it will fall back to using QFileDialog.

The function is asynchronous and returns immediately.

QByteArray imageData; // obtained from e.g. QImage::save()
QFileDialog::saveFileContent(imageData, "myimage.png"); // with filename hint
// OR
QFileDialog::saveFileContent(imageData); // no filename hint

QByteArray QFileDialog::saveState() const

Saves the state of the dialog's layout, history and current directory.

Typically this is used in conjunction with QSettings to remember the size for a future session. A version number is stored as part of the data.

void QFileDialog::selectFile(const QString &filename)

Selects the given filename in the file dialog.

See also selectedFiles().

void QFileDialog::selectMimeTypeFilter(const QString &filter)

Sets the current MIME type filter.

void QFileDialog::selectNameFilter(const QString &filter)

Sets the current file type filter. Multiple filters can be passed in filter by separating them with semicolons or spaces.

See also setNameFilter(), setNameFilters(), and selectedNameFilter().

void QFileDialog::selectUrl(const QUrl &url)

Selects the given url in the file dialog.

Note: The non-native QFileDialog supports only local files.

See also selectedUrls().

QStringList QFileDialog::selectedFiles() const

Returns a list of strings containing the absolute paths of the selected files in the dialog. If no files are selected, or the mode is not ExistingFiles or ExistingFile, selectedFiles() contains the current path in the viewport.

See also selectedNameFilter() and selectFile().

QString QFileDialog::selectedMimeTypeFilter() const

Returns The mimetype of the file that the user selected in the file dialog.

QString QFileDialog::selectedNameFilter() const

Returns the filter that the user selected in the file dialog.

See also selectedFiles().

QList<QUrl> QFileDialog::selectedUrls() const

Returns a list of urls containing the selected files in the dialog. If no files are selected, or the mode is not ExistingFiles or ExistingFile, selectedUrls() contains the current path in the viewport.

See also selectedNameFilter() and selectUrl().

void QFileDialog::setDirectory(const QString &directory)

Sets the file dialog's current directory.

Note: On iOS, if you set directory to QStandardPaths::standardLocations(QStandardPaths::PicturesLocation).last(), a native image picker dialog will be used for accessing the user's photo album. The filename returned can be loaded using QFile and related APIs. For this to be enabled, the Info.plist assigned to QMAKE_INFO_PLIST in the project file must contain the key NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription. See Info.plist documentation from Apple for more information regarding this key. This feature was added in Qt 5.5.

See also directory().

void QFileDialog::setDirectory(const QDir &directory)

This is an overloaded function.

void QFileDialog::setDirectoryUrl(const QUrl &directory)

Sets the file dialog's current directory url.

Note: The non-native QFileDialog supports only local files.

Note: On Windows, it is possible to pass URLs representing one of the virtual folders, such as "Computer" or "Network". This is done by passing a QUrl using the scheme clsid followed by the CLSID value with the curly braces removed. For example the URL clsid:374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B denotes the download location. For a complete list of possible values, see the MSDN documentation on KNOWNFOLDERID. This feature was added in Qt 5.5.

See also directoryUrl() and QUuid.

void QFileDialog::setFilter(QDir::Filters filters)

Sets the filter used by the model to filters. The filter is used to specify the kind of files that should be shown.

See also filter().

void QFileDialog::setHistory(const QStringList &paths)

Sets the browsing history of the filedialog to contain the given paths.

See also history().

void QFileDialog::setIconProvider(QAbstractFileIconProvider *provider)

Sets the icon provider used by the filedialog to the specified provider.

See also iconProvider().

void QFileDialog::setItemDelegate(QAbstractItemDelegate *delegate)

Sets the item delegate used to render items in the views in the file dialog to the given delegate.

Any existing delegate will be removed, but not deleted. QFileDialog does not take ownership of delegate.

Warning: You should not share the same instance of a delegate between views. Doing so can cause incorrect or unintuitive editing behavior since each view connected to a given delegate may receive the closeEditor() signal, and attempt to access, modify or close an editor that has already been closed.

Note that the model used is QFileSystemModel. It has custom item data roles, which is described by the Roles enum. You can use a QFileIconProvider if you only want custom icons.

See also itemDelegate(), setIconProvider(), and QFileSystemModel.

void QFileDialog::setLabelText(QFileDialog::DialogLabel label, const QString &text)

Sets the text shown in the filedialog in the specified label.

See also labelText().

void QFileDialog::setMimeTypeFilters(const QStringList &filters)

Sets the filters used in the file dialog, from a list of MIME types.

Convenience method for setNameFilters(). Uses QMimeType to create a name filter from the glob patterns and description defined in each MIME type.

Use application/octet-stream for the "All files (*)" filter, since that is the base MIME type for all files.

Calling setMimeTypeFilters overrides any previously set name filters, and changes the return value of nameFilters().

QStringList mimeTypeFilters({"image/jpeg", // will show "JPEG image (*.jpeg *.jpg *.jpe)
                             "image/png",  // will show "PNG image (*.png)"
                             "application/octet-stream" // will show "All files (*)"
                            });

QFileDialog dialog(this);
dialog.setMimeTypeFilters(mimeTypeFilters);
dialog.exec();

See also mimeTypeFilters().

void QFileDialog::setNameFilter(const QString &filter)

Sets the filter used in the file dialog to the given filter.

If filter contains a pair of parentheses containing one or more filename-wildcard patterns, separated by spaces, then only the text contained in the parentheses is used as the filter. This means that these calls are all equivalent:

dialog.setNameFilter("All C++ files (*.cpp *.cc *.C *.cxx *.c++)");
dialog.setNameFilter("*.cpp *.cc *.C *.cxx *.c++");

Note: With Android's native file dialog, the mime type matching the given name filter is used because only mime types are supported.

See also setMimeTypeFilters() and setNameFilters().

void QFileDialog::setNameFilters(const QStringList &filters)

Sets the filters used in the file dialog.

Note that the filter *.* is not portable, because the historical assumption that the file extension determines the file type is not consistent on every operating system. It is possible to have a file with no dot in its name (for example, Makefile). In a native Windows file dialog, *.* will match such files, while in other types of file dialogs it may not. So it is better to use * if you mean to select any file.

const QStringList filters({"Image files (*.png *.xpm *.jpg)",
                           "Text files (*.txt)",
                           "Any files (*)"
                          });
QFileDialog dialog(this);
dialog.setNameFilters(filters);
dialog.exec();

setMimeTypeFilters() has the advantage of providing all possible name filters for each file type. For example, JPEG images have three possible extensions; if your application can open such files, selecting the image/jpeg mime type as a filter will allow you to open all of them.

See also nameFilters().

void QFileDialog::setOption(QFileDialog::Option option, bool on = true)

Sets the given option to be enabled if on is true; otherwise, clears the given option.

Options (particularly the DontUseNativeDialog option) should be set before changing dialog properties or showing the dialog.

Setting options while the dialog is visible is not guaranteed to have an immediate effect on the dialog (depending on the option and on the platform).

Setting options after changing other properties may cause these values to have no effect.

See also options and testOption().

void QFileDialog::setProxyModel(QAbstractProxyModel *proxyModel)

Sets the model for the views to the given proxyModel. This is useful if you want to modify the underlying model; for example, to add columns, filter data or add drives.

Any existing proxy model will be removed, but not deleted. The file dialog will take ownership of the proxyModel.

See also proxyModel().

void QFileDialog::setSidebarUrls(const QList<QUrl> &urls)

Sets the urls that are located in the sidebar.

For instance:

    QList<QUrl> urls;
    urls << QUrl::fromLocalFile("/Users/foo/Code/qt5")
         << QUrl::fromLocalFile(QStandardPaths::standardLocations(QStandardPaths::MusicLocation).first());

    QFileDialog dialog;
    dialog.setSidebarUrls(urls);
    dialog.setFileMode(QFileDialog::AnyFile);
    if (dialog.exec()) {
        // ...
    }

The file dialog will then look like this:

See also sidebarUrls().

[override virtual] void QFileDialog::setVisible(bool visible)

Reimplements: QDialog::setVisible(bool visible).

QList<QUrl> QFileDialog::sidebarUrls() const

Returns a list of urls that are currently in the sidebar

See also setSidebarUrls().

bool QFileDialog::testOption(QFileDialog::Option option) const

Returns true if the given option is enabled; otherwise, returns false.

See also options and setOption().

[signal] void QFileDialog::urlSelected(const QUrl &url)

When the selection changes and the dialog is accepted, this signal is emitted with the (possibly empty) selected url.

See also currentUrlChanged() and QDialog::Accepted.

[signal] void QFileDialog::urlsSelected(const QList<QUrl> &urls)

When the selection changes and the dialog is accepted, this signal is emitted with the (possibly empty) list of selected urls.

See also currentUrlChanged() and QDialog::Accepted.

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