Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

titaniumdecoy · Jul 7th, 2006, 7:39 PM

I have the path to a file, say C:\path\to\file.txt. I need a way to open the folder where that file (file.txt) resides, and select it.

Since I am on a Windows machine, I can use the webbrowser module to load a path:

(Toggle Plain Text)

import webbrowser

webbrowser.open(r"C:\path\to\file.txt")

However, this does not select the file. (I do not want to open it, just to select it.)

Thanks in advance. I'm not even sure this is possible in Python.

Sane · Jul 7th, 2006, 7:50 PM

Oh, err that sounds really strange. I couldn't see why there'd be support for something like that. If someone knows something in the win32api to prove me wrong, that'd be cool.

Otherwise, I'd think it would call for something really obscure. Like synthesizing a keystroke using win32api.keybd_event. First off, have you ever used an application that does what you are trying to do? That might be a helpful clue as to if it is even possible.

titaniumdecoy · Jul 7th, 2006, 8:11 PM

I'm not sure if it's the same in Windows, but on my Mac, when I download a file in my browser, I can go to the Download Manager window and click "Show File in Finder," and it will open a window with the file I just downloaded, selected. I'm trying to do something similar, although it's probably not going to be possible...

Arevos · Jul 8th, 2006, 7:36 AM

LaunchServices looks promising. Mac only, though.

Cerulean · Jul 8th, 2006, 10:44 AM

That does sound pretty obscure. If i'm not mistaken the explorer uses a HTML rendering widget to display the folders and stuff? If you could find a way to get a reference to that rendering widget you could find a way to call some JavaScript in it and focus the folder. It'd be a pretty involved process though.

Dietrich · Jul 8th, 2006, 3:07 PM

On the InternetExplorer you can click on File/Properties.

Sane · Jul 8th, 2006, 3:43 PM

Huh... Dietrich? What does that have to do with anything at all...?

niteice · Jul 8th, 2006, 6:14 PM

Perhaps you want to execute "explorer.exe /select, C:\path\to\file.txt" ?

Note the comma, as per MSKB.

I dunno how to do it in python, but that should get you what you want.

Sane · Jul 8th, 2006, 6:22 PM

Oh wow! That's amazing, it works. :p So easy... so the code would then be...

(Toggle Plain Text)

import os

path = 'c:\\path\\file.txt'

os.system('explorer.exe /select, %s'%path)

Edit: I'll post the code for if the path has spaces in it, when I get back from dinner.

Post Edit: Oh! Nvm. It works with spaces already. :o

titaniumdecoy · Jul 8th, 2006, 8:52 PM

Wow, thanks... I didn't think it was going to be possible! I'll try this out as soon as I get to work on Monday.

Jul 7th, 2006, 7:39 PM	#1
titaniumdecoy Expert Programmer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 931 Rep Power: 4	Show File in Window I have the path to a file, say C:\path\to\file.txt. I need a way to open the folder where that file (file.txt) resides, and select it. Since I am on a Windows machine, I can use the webbrowser module to load a path: (Toggle Plain Text) import webbrowser webbrowser.open(r"C:\path\to\file.txt") import webbrowser webbrowser.open(r"C:\path\to\file.txt") However, this does not select the file. (I do not want to open it, just to select it.) Thanks in advance. I'm not even sure this is possible in Python.

Jul 8th, 2006, 3:07 PM	#6
Dietrich Professional Programmer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 434 Rep Power: 4	On the InternetExplorer you can click on File/Properties. __________________ I looked it up on the Intergnats!

Jul 8th, 2006, 6:22 PM	#9
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,094 Rep Power: 6	Oh wow! That's amazing, it works. :p So easy... so the code would then be... (Toggle Plain Text) import os path = 'c:\\path\\file.txt' os.system('explorer.exe /select, %s'%path) import os path = 'c:\\path\\file.txt' os.system('explorer.exe /select, %s'%path) Edit: I'll post the code for if the path has spaces in it, when I get back from dinner. Post Edit: Oh! Nvm. It works with spaces already. :o Last edited by Sane; Jul 8th, 2006 at 6:49 PM.

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Jul 7th, 2006, 7:50 PM	#2
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,094 Rep Power: 6	Oh, err that sounds really strange. I couldn't see why there'd be support for something like that. If someone knows something in the win32api to prove me wrong, that'd be cool. Otherwise, I'd think it would call for something really obscure. Like synthesizing a keystroke using win32api.keybd_event. First off, have you ever used an application that does what you are trying to do? That might be a helpful clue as to if it is even possible.

Jul 7th, 2006, 8:11 PM	#3
titaniumdecoy Expert Programmer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 931 Rep Power: 4	I'm not sure if it's the same in Windows, but on my Mac, when I download a file in my browser, I can go to the Download Manager window and click "Show File in Finder," and it will open a window with the file I just downloaded, selected. I'm trying to do something similar, although it's probably not going to be possible...

Jul 8th, 2006, 7:36 AM	#4
Arevos Programming Guru Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: England Posts: 1,499 Rep Power: 5	LaunchServices looks promising. Mac only, though.

Jul 8th, 2006, 10:44 AM	#5
Cerulean Professional Programmer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 459 Rep Power: 4	That does sound pretty obscure. If i'm not mistaken the explorer uses a HTML rendering widget to display the folders and stuff? If you could find a way to get a reference to that rendering widget you could find a way to call some JavaScript in it and focus the folder. It'd be a pretty involved process though.

Jul 8th, 2006, 3:43 PM	#7
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 2,094 Rep Power: 6	Huh... Dietrich? What does that have to do with anything at all...?

Jul 8th, 2006, 6:14 PM	#8
niteice Programmer Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 98 Rep Power: 4	Perhaps you want to execute "explorer.exe /select, C:\path\to\file.txt" ? Note the comma, as per MSKB. I dunno how to do it in python, but that should get you what you want.

Jul 8th, 2006, 8:52 PM	#10
titaniumdecoy Expert Programmer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 931 Rep Power: 4	Wow, thanks... I didn't think it was going to be possible! I'll try this out as soon as I get to work on Monday.

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Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

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