GetOpenFileName method different in Excel

[Guest]

In Excel 2000, using the GetOpenFileName method you can include a FileFilter
(the first argument) such as *.something.extension and the dialog box would
show those files.

Starting in Excel XP that does not work in code anymore. You can physically
type that into the dialog box under "File name" and it will work but when it
is set in code it will only recognize *.extension.

Is this a design change or a bug?

Sample code:

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

GetOpenFilename has always only supported filtering on an extension. In
your case, the extension is .txt. If you were able to get it to filter
..test.txt, then you were fortunate, but that isn't the advertised behavior -
so you were utilizing an undocumented capability. You use undocumented
capabilities at your own risk since they may not be supported in later
versions.

 

[Guest]

The first paramater to GetOpenFileName in Excel is called FileFilter not
extension. In fact in Excel 2003 Help on GetOpenFileName for FileFilter it
says the filter is an "MS-DOS wildcard file filter specification."
Obviously, *.test.txt does work in MS-DOS. In fact, using the same control,
comdlg32.dll, that Excel's GetOpenFileName method uses outside of Excel works
just fine. It is an obvious code change in Excel but I wanted to know if it
was intentional or not.

Ryan

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

Call MS support and I am sure they will answer your question for a fee.
Unless you have some type of support agreement with microsoft, you will not
get an answer from Microsoft here. this is peer-to-peer support.
Otherwise, you can assume it is an intentional design change. <g>

 

[Guest]

I do have an MSDN Universal subscription which guarantees a Microsoft respone
within 2 business days.

Ryan

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

I always wondered how that would work. How will they relate
(e-mail address removed) to your subscription. Do you have to register it
somehow. Anyway, it shouldn't be long now <g>.

 

[Peter Huang [MSFT]]

Hi Ryan,

Sorry for delay reply. This is caused by that we did not recognize your
post as managed customer.
Based on the problem, so far I can reproduce the problem and I am
researching the issue and I will update you with new information ASAP.

Best regards,

Peter Huang
Microsoft Online Partner Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Peter Huang [MSFT]]

Hi Ryan,

Since the windows file system is usually works as extension.
e.g. *.txt means text.
So I think our change is going to reflect the idea that use the *.ext to
define the file type.
If you still have any concern, please feel free to post here.

Best regards,

Peter Huang
Microsoft Online Partner Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.