save_file.md

File Open API

The pfd::save_file class handles file saving dialogs. It can be provided a title, a starting directory and/or pre-selected file, an optional filter for recognised file types, and an optional flag to allow multiple selection:

pfd::save_file::save_file(std::string const &title,
                          std::string const &initial_path,
                          std::vector<std::string> filters = { "All Files", "*" },
                          pfd::opt option = pfd::opt::none);

The option parameter can be pfd::opt::force_overwrite to disable a potential warning when saving to an existing file.

The selected file is queried using pfd::save_file::result(). If the user canceled the operation, the returned file name is empty:

std::string pfd::save_file::result();

It is possible to ask the file save dialog whether the user took action using the pfd::message::ready() method, with an optional timeout argument. If the user did not validate the dialog within timeout milliseconds, the function will return false:

bool pfd::save_file::ready(int timeout = pfd::default_wait_timeout);

Example 1: simple file selection

Using pfd::save_file::result() will wait for user action before returning. This operation will block and return the user choice:

auto destination = pfd::save_file("Select a file").result();
if (!destination.empty())
    std::cout << "User selected file " << destination << "\n";

Example 2: filters

The filter list enumerates filter names and corresponded space-separated wildcard lists. It defaults to { "All Files", "*" }, but here is how to use other options:

auto destination = pfd::save_file("Select a file", ".",
                                  { "Image Files", "*.png *.jpg *.jpeg *.bmp",
                                    "Audio Files", "*.wav *.mp3",
                                    "All Files", "*" },
                                  pfd::opt::force_overwrite).result();
// Do something with destination
std::cout << "Selected file: " << destination << "\n";

Example 3: asynchronous file save

Using pfd::save_file::ready() allows the application to perform other tasks while waiting for user input:

// File save dialog
auto dialog = pfd::save_file("Select file to save");

// Do something while waiting for user input
while (!dialog.ready(1000))
    std::cout << "Waited 1 second for user input...\n";

// Act depending on the user choice
std::cout << "User selected file: " << dialog.result() << "\n";