use "uigetfile" in App Designer

When i use "uigetfile" command in App Designer, chose a file and click "open", the whole UIFigure will automatically go under the Matlab-mainwindow and all other files . I must choose the UIFigure again to use it. How to solve it problem.

[Paola Martin]

Could you please explain a little bit more about this problem? i will start doing an app and i was just about to use this command.

Answer 1

[Adam Danz]

Update

This has been fixed in R2025a. Focus now returns to the app that called uigetfile after the dialog is closed. The fix is also available in the R2024a and R2024b beta releases only (not the R2024a and R2024b general releases).

----------------------original response-------------------------

Wow, that's super annoying (I just confirmed it, r2019a). It's happening in the uigetfile() function.

A workaround is to just call your app figure right after the uigetfile() line.

f = uigetfile();
figure(app.UIFigure)

[Lixuan Xing]

thx for your answer

[Crownie Eme]

This did not work me. It only brings the appdesigner window back into focus after the file is selceted. I need the uigetfile window in appdesigner not in the main matlab window.

[Adam Danz]

Based on your descripition, it sounds like it did work for you. The problem the OP describes is that when uigetfile is called, the main App figure goes under the main Matlab development environment (the window containing the command window, workspace var list, etc). The solution is to bring the app's figure back into focus after selecting the file.

The problem you're describing is different and the solution does not address that problem. From what you're saying, the uigetfile window seems to be under another window. Could you describe the workflow that causes the problem? What window is the uigetfile UI under? I could not reproduce this on my end.

[Ondrej Mikulas]

2022b and still not fixed. What a shame when AppDesigner is the recommended way for new apps instead of GUIDE.

[Thomas Koenig]

I'm waiting for this to be resolved forever now. It seems like nobody cares. Truly disappointing.

[Stuart Fogel]

I also have this issue. From what I've read it's (mostly?) specific to Mac. Running R2202b for Mac.

I got tired of how annoying this was from a user-standpoint, so I created an app in appdesigner that duplicates the functionality of uigetfile. Here's a link to the code in the GitHub repo:

https://github.com/stuartfogel/CountingSheepPSG/blob/main/dependencies/fileSelect.mlapp

It may not be perfect, so please let me know if something is not quite right.