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Q&A

how to use %F in a file URI in a .desktop file

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I'm trying to create a .desktop file which opens a file, either inside a Vim server named "VIM" if that server exists, or otherwise using the normal Vim .desktop file. My .desktop file is below.

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Vim Remote
GenericName=Text Editor
Comment=Edit text files
TryExec=vim
Exec=sh -c "if vim --serverlist | grep -q VIM; then vim --remote %F; else gtk-launch vim file:%F; fi"
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Icon=gvim
StartupNotify=false

The first part (vim --remote %F) works, but the second (gtk-launch vim file:%F) does not. The second part will open a new Vim window, but without any file opened. I'm guessing the problem is due to : and %F being next to each other, which causes %F to not be expanded properly. I believe the gtk-launch function is set up correctly because if I hardcode a specific file in place of %F, that file will successfully open in a new Vim window.

Does anyone know how to solve this?

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1 answer

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From the Desktop Entry Specification:

A command line may contain at most one %f, %u, %F or %U field code.

Try storing %F in a local variable and reusing the variable.

Also, take care: %F will in general expand to a list of files, which your current script will not adequately handle. Use %f instead if you want your desktop to invoke the command multiple times for multiple files.

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