---
name: "TIFFSetDirectory"
section: "3t"
platform: "linux"
package: "libtiff3g-dev"
version: "3.5.5-6.woody5"
release: "Debian 3.0 (Woody)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/TIFFSetDirectory"
---

# TIFFSetDirectory(3t)

set the current directory for an open TIFF file

## NAME

TIFFSetDirectory, TIFFSetSubDirectory - set the current directory for an open TIFF file

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<tiffio.h\>**\
 **int TIFFSetDirectory(TIFF\* tif, tdir\_t dirnum)**\
 **int TIFFSetSubDirectory(TIFF\* tif, uint32 diroff)**

## DESCRIPTION

*TIFFSetDirectory* changes the current directory and reads its contents with *TIFFReadDirectory*. The parameter *dirnum* specifies the subfile/directory as an integer number, with the first directory numbered zero.

*TIFFSetSubDirectory* acts like  *TIFFSetDirectory*, except the directory is specified as a file offset instead of an index; this is required for accessing subdirectories linked through a *SubIFD* tag.

## RETURN VALUES

On successful return 1 is returned. Otherwise, 0 is returned if  *dirnum* or *diroff* specifies a non-existent directory, or if an error was encountered while reading the directory's contents.

## DIAGNOSTICS

All error messages are directed to the *TIFFError*(3T) routine.

**%s: Error fetching directory count**. An error was encountered while reading the \`\`directory count'' field.

**%s: Error fetching directory link**. An error was encountered while reading the \`\`link value'' that points to the next directory in a file.

## SEE ALSO

*libtiff*(3T), *TIFFCurrentDirectory*(3T), *TIFFOpen*(3T), *TIFFReadDirectory*(3T), *TIFFWriteDirectory*(3T)