XYplorer Beta Club

I have looked in the XY help file, wiki, and in the forum for a simple way to generate a report / text file that contains only the file name and extension (that's what I need today). Right now, the only way I see is to output a CSV file, load into a spreadsheet, copy the column, then paste into a file. It appears that the only way I can do it in XY is to make a custom template or script. Of course, there are times I may want just the file name, or maybe more info, so that would be multiple templates/scripts.

I was wondering, thinking, hoping, that maybe we could get a simple custom report generator added. I'm thinking of a checkbox for each field wanted in the report, like so:

Name Ext Path Date Time Size . . . (etc.)

I could check off the fields to show and then XY would go thru the file list (or selected files) and output only the fields requested. If one could output as fixed field length, CSV, etc. that would be a nice addition. Looking at the report panel, there's plenty of room to add this function.

cpusrvc wrote:I have looked in the XY help file, wiki, and in the forum
for a simple way to generate a report / text file that contains only the file name and extension (that's what I need today).
Right now, the only way I see is to output a CSV file, load into a spreadsheet, copy the column, then paste into a file.
It appears that the only way I can do it in XY is to make a custom template or script.

I am not against such an new feature, but just want to mention the script function report()

It's not an UI but you can build several output forms by using different parameters.
Try this in XYplorer menu "Scripting > Try Script" :
"Names list"
  text report("{Name}<crlf>");
"Names, coma separated"
  text report("{Name}, ");

I needed a while, but i got the syntax now:
report on files or folders only:
Syntax: {Dir <folder>|<file>|<drive>}
"Files only list"
  text report("{Dir |{Name}<crlf>|}");
"Files only, coma separated"
  text report("{Dir |{Name}, |}");
"Dirs only list"
  text report("{Dir {Name}<crlf>||}");
"Dirs only, coma separated"
  text report("{Dir {Name}, ||}");


Read more in the wiki
http://88.191.26.34/XYwiki/index.php/Sc ... port%28%29

There is another way to do this on a limited scale but unfortunately not much formatting...
File->To Clipboard->Selected List Row(s)
File->To Clipboard->All List Rows
Will copy the visible columns, so you can define what will be in the "report" by toggling the columns.

That said I do think XY is in need of a better reporting interface that would include more control over the content and formatting. There's definitely a need for a new version of Reporting, but the priority isn't there yet.

Stefan wrote:I am not against such an new feature, but just want to mention the script function report()

It's not an UI but you can build several output forms by using different parameters.
Try this in XYplorer menu "Scripting > Try Script" :
"Names list"
  text report("{Name}<crlf>");
"Names, coma separated"
  text report("{Name}, ");

Read more in the wiki
http://88.191.26.34/XYwiki/index.php/Sc ... port%28%29

Thank you Stefan, but if one is not a programmer and familiar with the command structure, it is such a chore to get the syntax and field names exactly as they have to be, and take the time to debug it. XY has probably 98% of the coding already in it. All it needs to do is a simple loop. For each file in the list, if the field is TRUE, then append it to the output. After each loop, add a CRLF, and then get the next file. It just seems way too simple to not have it in there, and way too complicated to do manually for such a simple operation. Its not like it would not be useful, because it's a frequent complaint that Windows can't output a simple list of files without resorting to external programs.

Its not like it would not be useful, because it's a frequent complaint that Windows can't output a simple list of files without resorting to external programs.

Well, there's still powershell or cmd line: C:\>dir /b >out.txt ... but i see you need an GUI

XY has probably 98% of the coding already in it. All it needs to do is a simple loop. For each file in the list, if the field is TRUE, then append it to the output. After each loop, add a CRLF, and then get the next file. It just seems way too simple to not have it in there, and way too complicated to do manually for such a simple operation.

Yes, that's what report() already does.
Don could integrate into the report tab,

or in the meantime we can wrap an script around,
like BatMaker does -> http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4419

or we can come up with an script with HTML() and your checkboxes from above like:

Yes, Stefan, we could do something like that. BTW, your Zipper program is a VERY nice piece of work. Have you ever considered becoming a programmer? (smile)

I used to do some programming. Back when the Woolly Mammoths were around, I wrote in hex, assembler, and Basic. Most of the functions found in XY could be done using scripts and commands. I can get a file list with "DIR C:\*.* >FILEOUT.TXT" and then pipe it thru SORT.EXE, but it's so much easier in a graphical interface. The whole reason for the existence of XY (and other programs) (and computers!) is because they reduce the effort needed to accomplish a task. Heck, once upon a time I could even add, subtract, multiply, and divide in my head! But once I got used to using a calculator, why would I WANT to go back? With new tools, like calculators, file managers, etc. there is ** NO REASON ** we should have to do it the hard way. It makes us less productive.

That's not to say I don't think XY is great. I love it and think its one of the greatest pieces of software around. However, I think this report function is so basic, so integral to the function of a file manager, and easy to implement, I'm just surprised it isn't in there, and would hope that others (and Don) would agree.

OK, time to get off my soapbox!

Stefan wrote:I needed a while, but i got the syntax now:
report on files or folders only:
Syntax: {Dir <folder>|<file>|<drive>}
"Files only list"
  text report("{Dir |{Name}<crlf>|}");
"Files only, coma separated"
  text report("{Dir |{Name}, |}");
"Dirs only list"
  text report("{Dir {Name}<crlf>||}");
"Dirs only, coma separated"
  text report("{Dir {Name}, ||}");

Read more in the wiki
http://88.191.26.34/XYwiki/index.php/Sc ... port%28%29

Thank you, Stefan, you made my point when you said "I needed a while, but I got the syntax now". I suspect you are FAR more knowledgeable about scripting than most users of XY. For such a simple task, it shouldn't take so much trouble. Each of your examples is for the name only. What if you need a list with other information? It's that many more scripts.

cpusrvc wrote:I have looked in the XY help file, wiki, and in the forum for a simple way to generate a report / text file that contains only the file name and extension (that's what I need today). Right now, the only way I see is to output a CSV file, load into a spreadsheet, copy the column, then paste into a file. It appears that the only way I can do it in XY is to make a custom template or script. Of course, there are times I may want just the file name, or maybe more info, so that would be multiple templates/scripts.

I was wondering, thinking, hoping, that maybe we could get a simple custom report generator added. I'm thinking of a checkbox for each field wanted in the report, like so:

Name Ext Path Date Time Size . . . (etc.)

I could check off the fields to show and then XY would go thru the file list (or selected files) and output only the fields requested. If one could output as fixed field length, CSV, etc. that would be a nice addition. Looking at the report panel, there's plenty of room to add this function.

Maybe I got you wrong but this is existing ever since (really one of the oldest features in the app) on Info Panel / Current List. You simply show/hide the columns you (don't) want to see directly in the list and then press one of the buttons on the tab. Also the order of the columns is reflected in the report.

admin wrote:Maybe I got you wrong but this is existing ever since (really one of the oldest features in the app) on Info Panel / Current List. You simply show/hide the columns you (don't) want to see directly in the list and then press one of the buttons on the tab. Also the order of the columns is reflected in the report.

Hmm ... you're right! Once again, I am blown away by XY, but this time it's because nobody seems to know about this, including the advanced people!!! People are writing scripts, bringing in other apps, and all the time it's been here! Sigh. Actually, it's almost comical, on the level of Curly, Larry & Moe (the 3 Stooges).

Thanks, Don. I knew you'd come thru for me.

Edit: Is there any way to get just the filename without the ext.?

cpusrvc wrote:Edit: Is there any way to get just the filename without the ext.?

Good point, I will make it "Hide Extensions" (you know that setting, right?) aware.

Hi cpusrvc, just some thought

cpusrvc> Have you ever considered becoming a programmer?
Not really, only quick and dirty scripts.

cpusrvc> there is ** NO REASON ** we should have to do it the hard way
Right, but it's only an matter of time, Dons time.
And because the feature is there, just do need some work from the user, Don could work on other things. (IMHO of course)
And there are stand alone/freeware/80Kb tools to do that already - so no "pushing-need" to implement this in XY too.
(i too would like to see all such things in one tool, but... see 'time' above)
Edit: found "my" old tool > Directory Lister 0.9.1
http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=1157#comments
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Di ... 66410425/1

cpusrvc> Each of your examples is for the name only.
Because you ask for this with your first post (cpusrvc> that contains only the file name and extension (that's what I need today))
If you need more to include just look up the help or the wiki or ask for improving the script.

cpusrvc> it's because nobody seems to know about this,
It's all about of using or not. If i need such, i do 'Dir /B > out.txt' or use BatMaker

cpusrvc> Edit: Is there any way to get just the filename without the ext.?
No good idea to edit an old post... if you want to be recognized.
As far as i know: No, not right now.

Stefan wrote:cpusrvc> Edit: Is there any way to get just the filename without the ext.?
No good idea to edit an old post... if you want to be recognized.
As far as i know: No, not right now.

Well, it is here right now, but only right here.

admin wrote:

cpusrvc wrote:Edit: Is there any way to get just the filename without the ext.?

Good point, I will make it "Hide Extensions" (you know that setting, right?) aware.

(before i searched the menu "View" for this, and then the Configuration..., then in the tabs context menu)
Today, by accident i found this setting:
"Tools > Customize List > Hide Extensions"

Stefan wrote:

admin wrote:

cpusrvc wrote:Edit: Is there any way to get just the filename without the ext.?

Good point, I will make it "Hide Extensions" (you know that setting, right?) aware.

(before i searched the menu "View" for this, and then the Configuration..., then in the tabs context menu)
Today, by accident i found this setting:
"Tools > Customize List > Hide Extensions"

That's what I meant. Next version will honour this setting in the reports.

Stefan: thank you for your time and effort.

Don: thank you for your devotion to your product and users.