Drop Files Components Overview

Applies to: ~>5.0

This page provides an overview of the features of the Drop Files Components. If you are looking for information on programming with the classes please see the Programmers’ Guide.

Three components are supplied that support file drag and drop from Windows Explorer along with subsidiary components that can filter dropped files. The components are:

• TPJDropFiles - Container control that catches files dragged and dropped onto its client area or the client area of child controls.
• TPFormDropFiles - Non-visual component that catches files dragged and dropped from Explorer onto the form that contains the component.
• TPJCtrlDropFiles - Non-visual component that catches files dragged and dropped from Explorer onto an associated control.
• TPJExtFileFilter - File filter component that filters files according to their extension.
• TPJWildCardFileFilter - File filter component that filters files according to a DOS-style wild card.
• TPJFileFilter - An abstract base class for file filter components.

Some design time assistance is provided by component and property editors.

Key features of the drop files components are:

• An event is triggered when files are dropped.
• The names of dropped files are made available through the Files_ array property.
• The list of dropped files can be configured to include only files, only folders or all files and folders.
• Dropped folders can be recursed so that all the files and sub-folders in each of the dropped folders are listed.
• Filters can be applied to the dropped files and folders. This is done in one of two ways:
  • By handling the OnFileFilter event and deciding which files and folders to pass through the filter.
  • By linking the drop file component to a special file filter component, derived from the abstract TPJFileFilter.
• The mouse co-ordinates where the files were dropped can be retrieved, as can a reference to any control under the mouse cursor at the time.

Compatibility

The components can be compiled with any Delphi compiler from Delphi 7 through to 11.3. They are compatible with 32 bit and 64 bit Windows targets.

It is possible that the components will compile with Delphi 3 to 6, but this has not been tested.

These are VCL components and so are not compatible with the FireMonkey framework.

Non-Windows platforms are not supported.

Links

• Programmer’s Guide