A file selector chooses a file to read or upon which to make alterations. All file selectors function identically, however some offer additional features.

Screen snap: standard File Selectors dialog box

• A title indicates the selector name
   
• A pulldown list allowing the user to rapidly search a branch of the current directory. It contains all the sub-directories of the current directory’s branch, up to the root directory.
   
• The next list shows all sub-directories and files from the current directory. Directory names appear in alphabetical order at the beginning of the list with the "/" character at the end of each name. Filenames receiving an eventual filter are displyed next. Double clicking on a directory name allows the user to access that file; the current directory is returned to the pulldown list and the selected directory becomes the new active directory with its contents displayed in the list. A simple click on a file name causes that filename to appear in the text field below. Double clicking on a filename selects the file without other confirmation.
   
• The text field displays the file name selected from the list and allows the user to change that name. The user may enter a filename complete with routing. If the entry is affixed with the "~" character, this directory becomes the new current directory. If the name is entered and affixed with the "/" character, the current directory will point to the new destination. In some file selectors an extension is automatically added to the file name upon validation.
   
• The left button of the lower portion of the file selector accepts the filename for the action indicated on the button and closes the box.
   
• The Cancel button on the right cancels all actions and closes the box.

The Opening a Document file selector opens a previously saved XQuad document. The XqQad filename will usually posess an ".xq" extension; only files with this extension will be displayed. This file selector is no different than other file selectors; for further details about its use, see the instructions in Standard File Selectors .

The Saving a Document as.. file selector selects the filename under which the active worksheet will be saved on disk. The .xq extension will be added automatically to the filename. The file selector is no different than other file selectors; for further details about its use, see the instructions in Standard File Selectors

The Printing to a File file selector selects the filename to which print data from the active worksheet will be saved. This file selector is called up from the Print dialog box when File is selected as the destination printer. This file selector is exactly like the Standard File Selector. The .ps extension is added to the filename.