Windows Application for Merging Text Files

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Introduction

This application helps you merge two text files into one. You can either select individual files or select a folder to merge all of the text files in it. The File / Folder dialog box helps to select files.

Using the code

Text files can be merged using basic file operations. Using the StreamReader class, files from the list box (LstFiles) can be opened, read to a temporary string (temp) and appended to a new file. The new file name is typed into SaveFileDialog.

Private Sub SaveFileDialog1_FileOk(ByVal sender As Object, _
    ByVal e As System.ComponentModel.CancelEventArgs) _
    Handles SaveFileDialog1.FileOk

    Dim FileReader As StreamReader
    Dim i As Integer = 0
    Dim temp As String

    For i = 0 To LstFiles.Items.Count - 1
        FileReader = File.OpenText(LstFiles.Items.Item(i))
        temp = FileReader.ReadToEnd
        File.AppendAllText(SaveFileDialog1.FileName, temp)
    Next

    Dim prompt As String
    prompt = String.Concat(lbl_NoOfFiles.Text, " files merged succesfully")
    MsgBox(prompt, MsgBoxStyle.Information, "Merge")
    LstFiles.Items.Clear()
    lbl_NoOfFiles.Text = "0"

End Sub

All files in a folder can be selected by clicking on the Select Folder button. Filenames are stored in the files() array by first using FolderBrowserDialog and then adding the items of the array to the list box.

Private Sub BtnFolderMerge_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
    ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles BtnFolderMerge.Click

    FolderBrowserDialog1.ShowDialog()
    Dim files() As String
    files = Directory.GetFiles(FolderBrowserDialog1.SelectedPath, "*.txt")
    Dim i As Integer = 0

    For i = 0 To files.Length - 1
        LstFiles.Items.Add(files(i))
    Next

    Label2.Visible = True
    lbl_NoOfFiles.Text = CStr(LstFiles.Items.Count)
    lbl_NoOfFiles.Visible = True

End Sub

Points of interest

To filter the File dialog, a filter like this is helpful. This displays only files with the *.txt extension: OpenFileDialog1.Filter = "Text files (*.txt)|*.txt"

History

• Article first submitted on July 30th, 2007