---
name: "TIFFSetDirectory"
section: "3tiff"
platform: "linux"
package: "libtiff-dev"
version: "4.7.0-3+deb13u3"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/TIFFSetDirectory/3tiff"
---

# TIFFSetDirectory(3tiff)

set the current directory for an open TIFF file

## NAME

TIFFSetDirectory - set the current directory for an open TIFF file

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <tiffio.h>
```

- **int TIFFSetDirectory(TIFF \*tif, tdir\_t dirnum)**

  - **int TIFFSetSubDirectory(TIFF \*tif, uint64\_t 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. *TIFFSetDirectory()* only works with main-IFD chains because allways starts with the first main-IFD and thus is able to reset the SubIFD reading chain to the main-IFD chain.

*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.  (see *MultiPage SubIFD*)

Directory query functions *TIFFCurrentDirectory()*, *TIFFCurrentDirOffset()*, *TIFFLastDirectory()* and *TIFFNumberOfDirectories()* retrieve information about directories in an open TIFF file. Be aware that until a directory is not written to file AND read back, the query functions won't retrieve the correct information!

## 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 *TIFFErrorExtR()* 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

*TIFFquery* (3tiff), *TIFFOpen* (3tiff), *TIFFCreateDirectory* (3tiff), *TIFFCustomDirectory* (3tiff), *TIFFWriteDirectory* (3tiff), *TIFFReadDirectory* (3tiff), *Multi Page / Multi Image TIFF*, *libtiff* (3tiff)

## AUTHOR

LibTIFF contributors

## COPYRIGHT

1988-2022, LibTIFF contributors