Bug 514152

Summary:	"Save As" dialog does not save into the directory for which you typed in the name
Product:	[Frameworks and Libraries] frameworks-kio	Reporter:	Sebastian <sebastianspublicaddress>
Component:	Open/save dialogs	Assignee:	KIO Bugs <kio-bugs-null>
Status:	CLOSED INTENTIONAL
Severity:	normal	CC:	kdelibs-bugs-null, nate, uhhadd
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	6.20.0
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Debian unstable
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Sebastian 2026-01-04 17:27:40 UTC

SUMMARY


STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Create a new file in Kate
2. Select "Save As"
3. In the textbox that shows the directory path, change something (for example, append the name of a subdirectory). **Do not press "Enter".**
4. In the testbox for the filename, enter the desired filename
5. Press "Save"

OBSERVED RESULT

At the time of pressing "Save":
Directory textbox shows the changed directory path.
Name shows the desired name.
The only clue that the desired directory hasn't been entered is the directory listing (which shows the contents of the original directory).

File ends up being saved in the directory that was selected initially.

EXPECTED RESULT

I don't know.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows: 
macOS: 
(available in the Info Center app, or by running `kinfo` in a terminal window)
Linux/KDE Plasma: 
KDE Plasma Version: 6.5.4
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.20.0
Qt Version: 6.9.2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I'm getting regular calls from a relative who doesn't find the files again after saving them. In a screensharing session, I've found the described behaviour to be the reason.

Comment 1 Nate Graham 2026-01-06 22:13:59 UTC

I think this is expected, no? Without pressing Enter, your relative didn't actually move into the sub-folder they typed into the path bar. Visual evidence for this can be found by the fact that the main view didn't change to show the contents of the sub-folder.

This looks to me like a training issue, not a bug or a UI issue.

Comment 2 Sebastian 2026-01-06 22:26:22 UTC

> This looks to me like a training issue

Sure, I'm trying.

> I think this is expected, no? Without pressing Enter, your relative didn't actually move into the sub-folder

But this differs from normal dialog boxes.

Pressing "Enter" in a normal dialog box does the same as pressing the "main" button (usually "Ok").
When you press the "Ok" button, all text you've typed into textboxes is taken over. No need to press "Enter" in those boxes.

In the Save-As dialog, pressing "Save" does not take over what you've typed into the directory-textbox.

It feels like the "Save As" dialog has two "actions": Changing the directory (Press Enter), and saving the file (Press Save).
But the expectation is that the directory is just another input, not an action, isn't it?

Comment 3 Nate Graham 2026-01-06 22:40:09 UTC

(In reply to Sebastian from comment #2)
> It feels like the "Save As" dialog has two "actions": Changing the directory
> (Press Enter), and saving the file (Press Save).
Yes, that's correct. That's how it works.

> But the expectation is that the directory is just another input, not an
> action, isn't it?
Well, you have to take an action to navigate to the exact location you want to save in. No way around that, really.

If your relative doesn't want to press enter in the text field because they're worried it will accept the dialog, there's also a checkmark button in the text field they can click on to confirm the new path. Its presence is also visual evidence that the typed text hasn't been accepted yet.