The format of directory folder shortcuts using File Manager is described below.

The first character after the optional directory item execution flag must be a forward slash ("/"), designating the rest of the information as a File Manager or Reader shortcut. If the forward slash is followed by a simple file specification, the shortcut is a Reader shortcut that opens the file in the Reader. Files to be opened in the Reader in this way are assumed to reside in the Library if no path is included. You do not need to include the forward slash in the Reading List directory, since all items in that directory are treated as Reader items by default.

If the information after the forward slash is a simple path, or a path followed by more information that does not evaluate to a filename (which would turn it into a Reader shortcut), the shortcut is a File Manager shortcut that opens the specified folder and lists the specified files, if any, according to the pattern or file types information following the path. If it is a simple path, all files are listed and a file will be opened in the Reader (default alternative loader) if selected, or in the Editor (default File Manager Loader) if alternative access is selected.

You can specify a File Manager shortcut listing to open at the drive list by not including a path. At least "*" or "?" must be specified for one file pattern, and/or a primary loader in double quotes (which may be empty to use File Manager shortcut default).

Types specification

The default types for a File Manager shortcut, if no custom list is specified, are those of the File Manager in Reader Mode (Shift+SPACE in the directory).

>The string specifying the options in the types combo box follows the path specification, if any, after an optional "all files flag". The types string is located by finding the first wildcard filename character (asterisk or question mark) that occurs before any double quoted expression, and then back tracking to either the beginning of the specification (character after the forward slash) or the first character after a backslash terminating the path. A path specification in a shortcut with options must include a trailing backslash to separate it from the rest of the information, but the trailing backslash need not be included in a simple shortcut. If a single type specification of "*", "*.", or "*.*" is found without a display name, it is disregarded and "All files" is the only item in the types list combo box, The all files flag should not be specified.

If you specify only one item for the types list, excluding the above condition, it is used as its own display name, if none is included, and the all files flag is used. If you specify multiple items, the all files flag is used but the first item must include a display name, or the format is invalid.

<>The all files flag specifications are as follows:

Plus sign ("+"): An all files item showing *.* is inserted at the top of the combo box. By default, the all files item is added at the bottom.
Minus sing (£-"): No all files item is automatically included.
Colon (":"): This character has no effect, processing simply skips to the next. Its purpose is to allow you to use a minus sign as part of the first type specification without changing the default automatic all files item inclusion.

The list of types starts following the all files flag if it is specified, or in its position if not. Except in the case mentioned above where a single pattern specification may be used as its own display name, the way to build a types combo box is as follows:

Enter the display name, terminated by a semicolon. Following the semicolon, type the associated patterns, separated by semicolons if more than one. The last pattern is followed by a colon or plus sign, unless it is part of the last required type option, in which case it is not followed by any character. A new type option as above follows the colon or plus sign that terminates the last. A plus sign sets the forthcoming option as the default when the shortcut listing first opens. If no default item is specified by use of plus, it is the first item and you should not use a plus sign before the first specification or it will be interpreted as the all files flag.

In addition, there are two "pattern flag" characters that can be used before the first character of the first pattern, immediately following the semicolon terminating the display name:

Space (" "): By default, the patterns specification is automatically appended to the display name in brackets. Preceding the start of the patterns specification with a space suppresses this feature.
Colon (":"): By default, all file extensions incorporated in the patterns specified in a types list specification, regardless of which option, are "loader types". This means that when a filename with such an extension is selected, it is opened in the loader associated with the shortcut. Use this flag to allow files with those extensions to be opened by Windows in the program associated with them, they will then be opened in the shortcut's loader only if there is no Windows association.

Either or both pattern flags may be specified, providing they come between the display name terminating semicolon and the start of the pattern specification, and if both are specified, the space must be first.

File Loaders

The primary file loader, if specified, is contained within double quotes ("") after the types list. If it is not specified, the alternative access loader (the Reader, default secondary loader) is used.

The secondary loader in a File Manager shortcut folder listing is the default primary loader (Editor), unless a different one is specified following the closing quote of the primary loader definition. Hence to specify a secondary loader, you must specify a primary loader, but the double quotes can be empty to retain the Reader as primary loader.

The loader defining set of double quotes may start the shortcut, after the forward slash, if it is to open at the drive list and no types specification is required (use the default Reader set).

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File Manager Shortcut Format

Types specification

File Loaders