Make the Filelist Toolbar completely user-definable and organizable (instead of dispersed across two bars)
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2025 11:11 am
As of version 1.9.0, the Filelist Toolbar has become two bars: one situated above the file window, and another situated below it, which only appears after adding certain tools.
I thought this was a bug at first, turns out it isn't. Because this latter discussion is located in the Bug reports > Closed/Resolved sub-forum, I propose to move this conversation here, where it will, I hope, get more attention.
To summarize, the change was made with the commendable intention of decluttering the indeed very busy Filelist Toolbar by moving some of its tools to a new toolbar situated below the file window. However, in the other conversation, the change has met a bit of user resistance, including mine. Indeed, dispersing the tools of the Filelist Toolbar to two different locations provokes confusion and lacks user friendliness. Of note too: the user can apparently (I've not actually tried this yet) get the old toolbar back (or something very close) by modifying the xnview.ini (littleBarVersion=2). EDIT: this does work, but I don't know if it will "hold" when there are updates to the program.
What follows is simply my (amended) post from the other conversation:
I think it would be fair to say that everyone uses the Filelist Toolbar in their own way.
The current bar has some elements that are there by default ((back, forward, up, address bar, etc.), and others that are user-defined at Tools > Settings > Browser > ToolBar (Favorites, Quick search, Sort, etc.).
Would it be possible to:
(1) make all the tools user-definable, and
(2) make the single, original toolbar able to expand in height to accommodate two (or three or four...) lines of tools (remaining thus entirely above the file window)?
This second point is, I think, what Scargoth is suggesting as well (in the other discussion).
Edit: I changed the title from "expandable" to "organizable", because this toolbar does expand vertically when necessary. So, instead, I think the thing would be to let users organize the Filelist Toolbar as they see fit, that is, the user chooses what tools they want on the bar AND where they are on the bar.
(3) If it's impossible to make the single, original bar grow, would it be possible to make the second bar optional?
This way, the user would be able to choose what best fits their needs: one cluttered bar, or two less cluttered bars in different locations.
In any case, I think, before all else, that the best path would be to make the Filelist Toolbar completely user-definable, so that every user can build their own bar, perfectly adapted to their needs. I suspect—but could be wrong—that a completely user-definable Filelist Toolbar would largely eliminate the need for a second (or expandable) toolbar.
Thanks for your consideration, and I hope others will sound in!
I thought this was a bug at first, turns out it isn't. Because this latter discussion is located in the Bug reports > Closed/Resolved sub-forum, I propose to move this conversation here, where it will, I hope, get more attention.
To summarize, the change was made with the commendable intention of decluttering the indeed very busy Filelist Toolbar by moving some of its tools to a new toolbar situated below the file window. However, in the other conversation, the change has met a bit of user resistance, including mine. Indeed, dispersing the tools of the Filelist Toolbar to two different locations provokes confusion and lacks user friendliness. Of note too: the user can apparently (I've not actually tried this yet) get the old toolbar back (or something very close) by modifying the xnview.ini (littleBarVersion=2). EDIT: this does work, but I don't know if it will "hold" when there are updates to the program.
What follows is simply my (amended) post from the other conversation:
I think it would be fair to say that everyone uses the Filelist Toolbar in their own way.
The current bar has some elements that are there by default ((back, forward, up, address bar, etc.), and others that are user-defined at Tools > Settings > Browser > ToolBar (Favorites, Quick search, Sort, etc.).
Would it be possible to:
(1) make all the tools user-definable, and
(2) make the single, original toolbar able to expand in height to accommodate two (or three or four...) lines of tools (remaining thus entirely above the file window)?
This second point is, I think, what Scargoth is suggesting as well (in the other discussion).
Edit: I changed the title from "expandable" to "organizable", because this toolbar does expand vertically when necessary. So, instead, I think the thing would be to let users organize the Filelist Toolbar as they see fit, that is, the user chooses what tools they want on the bar AND where they are on the bar.
(3) If it's impossible to make the single, original bar grow, would it be possible to make the second bar optional?
This way, the user would be able to choose what best fits their needs: one cluttered bar, or two less cluttered bars in different locations.
In any case, I think, before all else, that the best path would be to make the Filelist Toolbar completely user-definable, so that every user can build their own bar, perfectly adapted to their needs. I suspect—but could be wrong—that a completely user-definable Filelist Toolbar would largely eliminate the need for a second (or expandable) toolbar.
Thanks for your consideration, and I hope others will sound in!