iOS Tutorial Open external files with your app

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Also see: List of methods to access external resources or share to external apps

Many applications that deal with files show a standard file handling dialog. One of the options in this dialog is to open the file with another app. This tutorial explains how you can add your app to this list and then open the file.

For example you can use this to open CSV files received by mail in your app or from Dropbox app (useful for debugging this).

The first step is to register the file types that you would like to handle in your app. You need to find the correct identifier. Some of the standard identifiers are listed here: https://developer.apple.com/library...fiers.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40009259-SW1

For CSV the type is: public.comma-separated-values-text

Use the PListExtra attribute to add the required declaration:
B4X: 
#PlistExtra:<key>CFBundleDocumentTypes</key>
#PlistExtra:<array>
#PlistExtra:    <dict>
#PlistExtra:        <key>CFBundleTypeName</key>
#PlistExtra:            <string>CSV File</string>
#PlistExtra:        <key>LSHandlerRank</key>
#PlistExtra:            <string>Alternate</string>
#PlistExtra:        <key>LSItemContentTypes</key>
#PlistExtra:            <array>
#PlistExtra:                <string>public.comma-separated-values-text</string>
#PlistExtra:            </array>
#PlistExtra:    </dict>
#PlistExtra:</array>

When the user will click on the Open in... option and choose your app, your app will start and OpenUrl will be called:
B4X: 
Private Sub Application_OpenUrl (Url As String, Data As Object) As Boolean
   If Url.StartsWith("file://") Then
     Dim f As String = Url.SubString(7) 'remove the file:// scheme.
      Dim su As StringUtils
     f = su.DecodeURL(f, "utf8")
     Try
       Msgbox(File.ReadString("", f), "")
     Catch
       Msgbox("Error loading file", "")
     End Try
   End If
   Return True
End Sub

You can run and test this in debug mode however if your program is in the background for too long (+-1 minute) then the process will be killed and later when your app will start it will wait for the debugger to connect (which will not happen).

If you want to register a custom file type you will need to add a few more declarations. See the answer here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4186401/how-do-i-register-a-custom-filetype-in-ios

The other side of this tutorial: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/open-local-files-with-external-apps.51941/
 
Last edited:
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FabioRome

FabioRome

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Longtime User
Erel said:
Many applications that deal with files show a standard file handling dialog. One of the options in this dialog is to open the file with another app. This tutorial explains how you can add your app to this list and then open the file.

For example you can use this to open CSV files received by mail in your app or from Dropbox app (useful for debugging this).

The first step is to register the file types that you would like to handle in your app. You need to find the correct identifier. Some of the standard identifiers are listed here: https://developer.apple.com/library...fiers.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40009259-SW1

For CSV the type is: public.comma-separated-values-text

Use the PListExtra attribute to add the required declaration:
B4X: 
#PlistExtra:<key>CFBundleDocumentTypes</key>
#PlistExtra:<array><dict><key>CFBundleTypeIconFiles</key><array/>
#PlistExtra: <key>CFBundleTypeName</key><string>CSV File</string>
#PlistExtra:<key>LSItemContentTypes</key><array>
#PlistExtra:<string>public.comma-separated-values-text</string>
#PlistExtra:</array></dict></array>

When the user will click on the Open in... option and choose your app, your app will start and OpenUrl will be called:
B4X: 
Private Sub Application_OpenUrl (Url As String, Data As Object) As Boolean
   If Url.StartsWith("file://") Then
     Dim f As String = Url.SubString(7) 'remove the file:// scheme.
     Try
       Msgbox(File.ReadString("", f), "")
     Catch
       Msgbox("Error loading file", "")
     End Try
   End If
   Return True
End Sub

You can run and test this in debug mode however if your program is in the background for too long (+-1 minute) then the process will be killed and later when your app will start it will wait for the debugger to connect (which will not happen).

If you want to register a custom file type you will need to add a few more declarations. See the answer here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4186401/how-do-i-register-a-custom-filetype-in-ios
Click to expand...

hi erel,
how can I do the same thing on Android ?
thank
 
Arnaud

Arnaud

Active Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
It work perfect with file.csv! thank you

It is possible to have the same but with a custom file?

I have file with extension ".alf" (for example data.alf)
The file data.alf is a binary file that I receive from mail. I would like open the file data.alf in attachement in my mail with my app.

Thank you for your help.
 
R

Roycefer

Well-Known Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Not yet, I wanted to see if there was a standard identifier for JSON before I tried to register a custom file type.
 
R

Roycefer

Well-Known Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
For reference, this seems to work:
B4X: 
    'To receive JSON files
    #PlistExtra:<key>CFBundleDocumentTypes</key>
    #PlistExtra:<array><dict><key>CFBundleTypeIconFiles</key><array/>
    #PlistExtra:<key>CFBundleTypeName</key><string>JSON File</string>
    #PlistExtra:<key>LSItemContentTypes</key><array>
    #PlistExtra:<string>public.json</string>
    #PlistExtra:</array></dict></array>
 
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