Create File if not existing ...

General questions about using TextPad

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MudGuard
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Create File if not existing ...

Post by MudGuard »

Hi,

I think in earlier versions (I am running 8.11) there was a feature:

File -> Open, go to a folder in File selection dialog, then type the name of a file in the filename field, then click open.

If the file exists, it is open.
And if the file does not exist, there came up the question "Create the file?".

This does not work in 8.11 (I get a warning "file does not exist, check the name and try again" instead.

Has this been removed? Or have I forgotten to set a checkmark in preferences?

Thanks in advance!
Andreas
ben_josephs
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Post by ben_josephs »

Yes, I noticed that change, too, although I can't recall when it happened. I can't find a way to revert to the old behaviour. It's an annoyance, but (for me) only a minor one.
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AmigoJack
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Post by AmigoJack »

I can halfway confirm this with 8.4.2:
  • pressing CTRL+O to get the "open file" dialog
  • the "filename" combobox has the focus
  • I type in a random text that definitly does not exist as filename (f.e. "asdf")
  • click "open" button
  • A new document "asdf.txt" can be edited.
But there is no question to create that file - it simply is created right away (in this case an empty file). Not really what I want either...
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MudGuard
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Post by MudGuard »

I would not swear an oath whether there was the question about creating the file, but the new/unknown file could be edited.

It was quite convenient - in a folder with loads of file just type the requested file name - if it exists, it was open, otherwise created.

Now I have to cancel the file open, create a new file and type the file name again when I save the file (in addition go to the folder again ...)
IanOfYork
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Post by IanOfYork »

I am also sure you used to be able to make a new file on the fly.

This is not much extra ...

Try to open the file and see the dialog box.
Instead of typing in the File name box, just right-click in the file list.
Chose New -> Text document from the context menu.
Create the file and then select it to be opened.
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MudGuard
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Post by MudGuard »

in folders with LOTs of files, it's not easy to see whether the file already exists ...

So I have to first type part of the name to find out whether it exists, then have to go to New->Textfile, type the already typed part of the name again, then type the rest of the name.

In my case, the beginning ~12 chars of the name are not unique (too many with the same beginning for the suggestion dropdown) ...
ben_josephs
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Post by ben_josephs »

Of course, you don't need to type the already typed part of the name again. You can copy it from the "File name" text box (it's already selected) and paste it as (the beginning of) the new filename.
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