How do I set a suggested file name using JFileChooser.showSaveDialog(...)?

Question

The JFileChooser seems to be missing a feature: a way to suggest the file name when saving a file (the thing that usually gets selected so that it would get replaced when the user starts typing).

Is there a way around this?

Answer 1

If I understand you correctly, you need to use the setSelectedFile method.

JFileChooser jFileChooser = new JFileChooser();
jFileChooser.setSelectedFile(new File("fileToSave.txt"));
jFileChooser.showSaveDialog(parent);

The file doesn't need to exist.

If you pass a File with an absolute path, JFileChooser will try to position itself in that directory (if it exists).

Answer 2

setSelectedFile doesn't work with directories as mentioned above, a solution is

try {
    FileChooserUI fcUi = fileChooser.getUI();
    fcUi.setSelectedFile(defaultDir);
    Class<? extends FileChooserUI> fcClass = fcUi.getClass();
    Method setFileName = fcClass.getMethod("setFileName", String.class);
    setFileName.invoke(fcUi, defaultDir.getName());
} catch (Exception e) {
    e.printStackTrace();
}

Unfortunately, setFileName is not included in the UI interface, thus the need to call it dynamically. Only tested on Mac.

Answer 3

If that doesn't work, here is a workaround:

dialog.getUI().setFileName( name )

But you should check whether the selection mode is FILES_ONLY or FILES_AND_DIRECTORIES. If it's DIRECTORIES_ONLY, then setSelectedFile() will strip the file name.