Enhancement Request: Move to Folder ...

[markf_2748]

Currently, in the Move to Folder dialog box, when "Action - Move selected files to this folder:" is opened, the Browse for Folder window defaults to a closed folder tree of the root File System. I realize this may work well for many people. However, most of the time, I wish to move the selected files to a folder which is relatively nearby to their current directory. In fact, my desired destination folder is typically visible in the same Folder View as the selected files. I would like an option to have the File System tab in the Browse for Folder window open a tree with my current folder view directory highlighted.

As is, it takes far too many clicks to get from the root to my desired destination. As a result, I hardly ever use the Move to Folder command. Instead I open a custom explorer window from my Open With ... which nicely defaults to my current Folder View folder.

[markf_2748]

Actually, now that I try it, I see that the "Browse for Folder" window has memory. So once I go through the effort of drilling down to the directory of interest, that directory apparently becomes a persistent default until a new directory is selected. That's pretty decent behavior - you've obviously given it some thought, as usual.

May I suggest a fine tweak: each Workspace should recall its own most recent path rather than have a single global recall.

[Aaron]

Thanks for the suggestion. I notice you capitolized Workspace, so you would like this global option to be saved upon saving the Workspace?

The current behavior is intentional, with the workflow idea that you may have a single destination you want to Move To repeatedly (whereas if there are many relative destinations, then you may just have Sessions for those).

There is a feature to the browse button that may be helpful. Copy your current pane's path and paste it manually into the Move To path, and then click the Browse button. This should expand the tree to that location.

How does that work for you?

[Aaron]

We started some internal discussion here on the subject:

We are unlikely to store the path as a part of the Workspace or Session, but one idea would be to automatically have the Left and Right Panes populate an MRU (dropdown).

So when you go to the Move To Folder dialog, the MRU would consist of your most recently used list, with the addition of "extra" useful paths, such as the Left and Right pane. After selecting it, you could then use browse to quickly go to that location (and then just a couple of clicks to a relative directory, which would then be on the MRU).

What do you think of that as an idea?

[markf_2748]

I think this would cover it all:

In the Move To Folder window, add a second button next to the current Action [...] button with face [ " ] or something else. Then:

[...] would always open the Browse For Folder window with the current Folder Compare pane folder highlighted. This is the current behavior of the Browse For Folder icon at the top of the Folder Compare window itself, so these would be consistent.

[ " ] would open the Browse For Folder window with the highlighted folder in the tree being the last folder that was opened with this button in this Workspace. i.e. this would be the "memory" button. If you navigate away from this folder, then the new folder becomes the new default for the memory button in this Workspace.

I have organized my important multi-tab sessions into Workspaces. All the tabs in a given Workspace are related. So I have no need to maintain folder memory between Workspaces, only within. The proposed memory button should be saved when the Workspace is saved.

[markf_2748]

Our messages keep crossing. I am very glad Scooter is thinking about making Move To Folder much more user friendly.

Your MRU idea sounds good to me as an even more flexible alternative/addition to multiple buttons, though I cannot be sure exactly what you have in mind from the description. The idea of making it easy to get to multiple recent selections is good, and left/right options is definitely good. For my workflow, optimally I would like the MRU list to be Workspace specific. I think the [...] should be consistent with the similar icon on the pane as I mentioned above.

One important feature when implementing MRUs: It should always be possible to select an MRU item that has been added to the list by virtue of history (as opposed to built-in and always present) and hit delete to remove that item from the MRU list.

[markf_2748]

There is a feature to the browse button that may be helpful. Copy your current pane's path and paste it manually into the Move To path, and then click the Browse button. This should expand the tree to that location.

How does that work for you?

It should not be necessary to go through that much work. I would use my Open With ... Explore instead.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

BTW, whatever is done to Move To Folder ... will most likely be appropriate for Copy To Folder ... as well. Should they share the same MRU/memory?? Probably.

[Michael Bulgrien]

most of the time, I wish to move the selected files to a folder which is relatively nearby to their current directory. In fact, my desired destination folder is typically visible in the same Folder View as the selected files.

Without reading this full thread (and risking saying something that has already been said) the easiest way to move to a visible folder is to right-click on the destination folder first and choose "Copy Filename" from the context menu. Select the files to be moved, then paste the copied filename into the Move to Folder dialog instead of using the Browse button to select the target folder.

[markf_2748]

Michael,
Nice tip. Thanks for sharing it.

[markf_2748]

Another alternative to consider for accessing the Browse For Folder window from Move To Folder ... / Copy To Folder ... :
Opposite side, Current side, and Last Used as buttons:
[->] [...] [ " ]
or
[<-] [...] [ " ]
along with an MRU which has deletable lines.