Function

The file selector object searches a directory for files using the name or the pattern in a file name. By doing so, you can search for specific file endings or parts of a file name. For example, this can be technological designations or date or time specifications. The files found will be displayed in a selection list, from which you can select a file. The selected file will be saved with its path in a text signal. The text signal can then be used, for example, to display the file in an offline trend graph, to display the name in a text field or to load image files into an image display.

The target signal requires a text signal from a virtual module of the type ibaQPanel text input. The module ibaQPanel text input can be found in the I/O Manager in the Analytics tab under the virtual module.
Configuration


You can determine the number of visible search results. Further results are then accessible via scrollbars.

You can define whether the path should also be displayed in the selection list.

You can define whether the path is also entered in the target text signal.

It is possible to configure the sorting mode of the files in the Sort on drop-down menu:

  • alphabetically

  • by time created or

  • by last time modified.

Select the target text signal from the drop-down menu.

You can delete the target signal if no file was found. The target signal is then cleared.

In the Folder selection field, you specify the folders to be monitored. The operation can be done with the buttons to the right of the field. Use the browser button to select the folders. If subfolders are to be monitored as well, activate the option Include subdirectories. Use the <+> button to add new folders. You can remove selected folders with <x> and change the order with the arrow keys.

However, instead of using the browser symbol, you can also select a text signal directly as a folder. This enables dynamic folder switching via a signal.

In the Filter field, enter a pattern that the file name should contain or a file extension. Wildcards such as * and ? and configured placeholders are also allowed. Placeholders are filled by text signals.

You can enter a combination of static text and placeholders, e.g. d:\{0}.{1}

The example means that the path D:\ is fixed. The file name is determined by placeholder {0} and the file extension by placeholder {1}.

You define placeholders in the field below. With the <+> button you add a placeholder. In the Value column you can define a fixed value or select the text signal that fills the placeholder from the drop-down menu. Use the <+> button to add new placeholders. You can remove marked placeholders with <x> and change the order with the arrow keys.

Example selection list