How do I associate file extensions with Multi-Edit in Windows Explorer
Answer
There are two methods, each with a different purpose. The first method creates the standard Open file associations you're used to, the ones which, for instance, cause Windows to open a particular application when you double-click on a filename in Windows Explorer. The steps to do this are as follows:
- go to Tools | Customize... from the main menu bar;
- press the Filename extensions... button to display the Filename Extension Setup dialog;
- select the extension group you want to associate with Multi-Edit from the list on that dialog;
- click on the Edit button to bring up the Edit Filename Extension Setup dialog for that extension group; and
- check the Associate to Desktop Shell checkbox;
The second method puts an extra entry on the Windows Explorer right-click context menu that reads Edit with Multi-Edit when the file is the proper type. This is what Microsoft calls a shell extension. To do this:
- go to Tools | Customize... from the main menu bar;
- press the Filename extensions... button to display the Filename Extension Setup dialog;
- make sure the Create "Edit with Multi-Edit" shell extension checkbox is checked;
- make sure the radio button next to the Include text box is selected;
- add the extensions for which you want the context-menu option to appear to the Include text box, separated by spaces, commas, or semi-colons.
It might seem more natural to have Multi-Edit's installer set these file associations up during installation, as many applications do; however we think programs shouldn't force such decisions on users. If our users are anything like us, they likely already have a lot of associations set up with other programs that they don't want modified, so Multi-Edit leaves such choices to them. This behavior is by design.
