Detect what file is selected

[Ostap]

Hi, 

I have a script that extracts maritime container numbers from PDF documents. The script is working fine, however PDF file name is hardcoded into the script. I could of course add some GUI where PDF file can be selected, but I want to make it even easier to use: user select PDF file in Windows Explorer, right click on it and run a script from context menu. 

Questions: what function to use, in order to detect which file is selected by the user? How to pass file name as variable to the script? 

 

 

[water]

When adding the script to the context menu you can define which parameter to pass to the script. Means: Which file has been selected.

Details can be found here: https://www.howtogeek.com/107965/how-to-add-any-application-shortcut-to-windows-explorers-context-menu/

[Ostap]

Ok, looks like filename is passed as variable %1. Do I simply add something like 

$PDFFile = EnvGet ( "%1" )

to obtain filename in the script? 

[Nine]

Why would you not use FileOpenDialog function ?  Seem to me easier for your users ? 

[water]

43 minutes ago, Ostap said:

$PDFFile = EnvGet ( "%1" )

No, you need to use the command line parameters passed to the compiled script.
Please check the help file for $CmdLine and $CmdLineRaw: https://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/docs/intro/running.htm#CommandLine

[Nine]

In any case, you could use both approaches.  If no command line parameter is passed to the script, you could simply use FileOpenDialog.

You would get the best of all worlds !