Working With Directories

This section provides useful tips for working with documents.

Selecting the Open and Save Dialog Boxes to Use

You can use the gussied-up OpenOffice.org dialog boxes, or your own standard system type. Figure 5-35 shows the differences for Windows .

Figure 5-35. Standard and OpenOffice.org style Open (same for Save) dialog boxes

If you like whatever you've got right now, skip this procedure. If you want to switch, choose Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org > General and deselect Use OpenOffice.org dialogs (see Figure 5-36).

Figure 5-36. Switching dialog box type

Specifying the Default Directory You Save to and Open Files In

When you save, open, or insert a file, the program opens the Save As, Open, and Insert windows with a default folder selected. The program uses two different default folders: one for opening and saving files and one for inserting graphics. You can change either of these default folders to make it easier to get to the folders you commonly use.

You'll find this feature extremely useful, especially if you spend a lot of time working in a specific directory. For example, if you're going to be inserting a lot of graphics from a specific folder, it's a hassle to click through a bunch of folders in the Insert window to reach the folder you want. By resetting the graphics path to the folder you want, the Insert window opens to that folder automatically. And if it doesn't, you can just click the Default Directory button in the Insert window to show your folder.

1. Choose Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org > Paths (see Figure 5-37).

   Figure 5-37. Changing default paths

   

2. In the list of paths, select the Graphics folder to change its default, or select the My Documents folder to change its default.

3. Click Edit.

4. In the Select Path window, navigate to the folder you want to use as your work folder and click Select.

5. Click OK.

In the Paths window (Figure 5-37) you can change other system paths. Many are the program's system-level paths and should be left alone. You may want to change others at some point, such as the Download path. Download is the default folder for storing files downloaded from the Internet. If the program crashes and you lose your work, check the path to the Backup copies to see where a possible backup copy may exist.

Note

If you want to revert back to the default path for an item, select it in the Paths window and click the Default button.

Changing File Paths in Dialog Boxes

In any dialog box or window that lets you navigate through your system folders (for example, the Save As window), you don't have to navigate solely by clicking the Up One Level and Default Directory buttons , or by double-clicking folders.

Solaris Note

In Solaris, you can type the tilde symbol (~) in the File name field and press Enter to reach your home directory.

You can also enter the path you want directly in the File name field and press Enter (see Figure 5-38).

Figure 5-38. Navigating by typing a path directly in the File name field