Open File Dialog - Display Multiple Times?

[jasonp45]

When my app starts the OpenFileDialog is displayed, and the user selects a file.

After the filename is captured, my code tells the OpenFileDialog to display again so the user will select a second file, at which time I capture the second filename.

However, when the OpenFileDialog is invoked the second time, it does not display. If I press Alt->Tab (in Windows Vista or XP) the dialog shows up, so it is working in a sense, but it isn't showing up on my screen unless I Alt->Tab.

How can I get the dialog to show up the second time automatically after the dialog disappears the first time?

I have tried creating a new dialog, adding a second form with its own dialog, along with various form and dialog refresh, dispose, show commands - nothing seems to work. I've posted the latest iteration of my code below. Thanks for any help!

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
Dim cd1 As New System.Windows.Forms.OpenFileDialog
With cd1
.Title = "Select 'D' File"
.InitialDirectory = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Desktop)
.Filter = "*_D*.txt|*_D*.txt"
.ShowDialog()
sFileName1 = .FileName
End With
With cd1
.Title = "Select 'PI' File"
.InitialDirectory = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Desktop)
.Filter = "*_PI*.txt|*_PI*.txt"
.ShowDialog()
sFileName2 = .FileName
End With
End Sub

 

[SiriusBlackOp]

I just ran you code in vs2005 and it works just fine. Both dialogs show up on top.

For some reason, your/a form is taking the focus from your dialog. Is the other form in an "Always on Top" state?

Senior Software Developer

http://www.scoutsft.com

 

[jasonp45]

No. I just added a 'Me.SendToBack' command between the two dialogs and the result is the same. It is very strange, but at least I know I'm not crazy - it *should* work.

PS - I'm running VS2005 Team Edition for Software Developers, version 8.0.5....

 

[SiriusBlackOp]

hmmm... this is strange.

After the Dialog gets the focus via your Alt-Tab, does it allow you to put the focus back onto the parent form, or does it beep and maintain the focus like it should?

I'm Taking a stab in the dark here, but you could also try using cd1.Reset in between the two.

Senior Software Developer

http://www.scoutsft.com

 

[jasonp45]

Yes, when I alt-tab the second dialog keeps the focus.

I've already tried the cd1.Reset...no luck.

Thanks for your help; I just worked around it by using a VBScript common dialog to load the filenames I need, then shell out to the .Net program and pass the filenames as parameters. Ugly, but it will work for now.

 

[Zaith]

Use ShowDialog(IWin32Window Owner)

i.e. cd1.ShowDialog(this);

This will make your main force the parent of the dialog window and will therefore push the parent form behind the dialog.