<FILENAME filename="index.html"><html><head><title>File Associations</title><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="help:/kdoctools5-common/kde-default.css"><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="help:/kdoctools5-common/kde-docs.css"><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="help:/kdoctools5-common/kde-localised.css"><meta name="generator" content="DocBook XSL Stylesheets Vsnapshot"><meta name="keywords" content="KDE, Systemsettings, files association, association"><link rel="home" href="index.html" title="File Associations"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="GENERATOR" content="KDE XSL Stylesheet V1.14 using libxslt"></head><body bgcolor="white" text="black" link="#0000FF" vlink="#840084" alink="#0000FF"><div id="content"><div id="header"><div id="header_content"><div id="header_left"><div id="header_right"><img src="help:/kdoctools5-common/top-kde.jpg" width="36" height="34"> File Associations</div></div></div></div><div class="navCenter"><table class="navigation"><tr><td class="prevCell"></td><td class="upCell"> </td><td class="nextCell"></td></tr></table></div><div id="contentBody"><div lang="en" class="article"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title"><a name="filetypes"></a>File Associations</h2></div><div><div class="authorgroup"><p class="author"><span class="firstname">Mike</span> <span class="surname">McBride</span> <code class="email"><no mail></code></p></div></div><div>Revision <span class="releaseinfo">Plasma 5.8 (<span class="date">2016-11-11</span>)</span></div></div><hr></div><div class="toc"><p><b>Table of Contents</b></p><dl class="toc"><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="index.html#file-assoc">File Associations</a></span></dt><dd><dl><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="index.html#file-assoc-intro">Introduction</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect2"><a href="index.html#file-assoc-use">How to use this module</a></span></dt></dl></dd></dl></div><div class="sect1"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="file-assoc"></a>File Associations</h2></div></div></div><div class="sect2"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-intro"></a>Introduction</h3></div></div></div><p>One of the most convenient aspects of <span class="orgname">KDE</span>, is its ability to automatically match a data file with its application. As an example, when you click on your favorite <span class="application">Calligra Words</span> document in the filemanager, <span class="orgname">KDE</span> automatically starts <span class="application">Calligra Words</span>, and automatically loads that file into <span class="application">Calligra Words</span> so you can begin working on it.</p><p>In the example above, the <span class="application">Calligra Words</span> Data file is <span class="emphasis"><em>associated</em></span> with <span class="application">Calligra Words</span> (the application). These file associations are crucial to the functioning of <span class="orgname">KDE</span>.</p><p>When <span class="orgname">KDE</span> is installed, it automatically creates hundreds of file associations to many of the most common data types. These initial associations are based on the most commonly included software, and the most common user preferences.</p><p>Unfortunately, <span class="orgname">KDE</span> can not:</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" style="list-style-type: disc; "><li class="listitem"><p>predict every possible combination of software and data files</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>prepare for file formats not yet invented</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>or predict everyone's favorite application for certain file formats</p></li></ul></div><p>You can change your current file associations or add new file associations using this module.</p><p>Each file association is recorded as a <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type. <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> stands for <span class="quote">“<span class="quote">Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions</span>”</span>. It allows a computer to determine the type of file, without opening and analyzing the format of each and every file.</p></div><div class="sect2"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use"></a>How to use this module</h3></div></div></div><p>You can start this module by opening <span class="application">System Settings</span> and selecting <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guimenu">Applications</span></span> → <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guimenuitem">File Associations</span></span> in the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Personalization</span></span> category. Alternatively, you can start it by typing <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="command"><span class="command"><strong>kcmshell5 filetypes</strong></span></span> from the terminal or <span class="application">KRunner</span>.</p><p>The file associations are organized into several categories, and at a minimum you will have:</p><div class="orderedlist"><ol class="orderedlist" type="1"><li class="listitem"><p>Application</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>Audio</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>Image</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>Inode</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>Message</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>Multipart</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>Text</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>Video</p></li></ol></div><p>All of the file associations are sorted into one of these categories.</p><div class="note" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;"><h3 class="title">Note</h3><p>There is no functional difference between any of the categories. These categories are designed to help organize your file associations, but they do not alter the associations in any way. </p></div><p>The categories are listed in the box labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Known Types</span></span>.</p><p>You can explore each of these categories, and see the file associations contained within each one, by simply double-clicking on the category name. You will be presented with a list of the associated <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> types under that category.</p><div class="tip" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;"><h3 class="title">Tip</h3><p>You can also search for a particular <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type by using the search box. The search box is labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Search for file type or filename pattern...</span></span> and is located above the category list.</p><p>Simply type the first letter of the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type you are interested in. The categories are automatically expanded, and only the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> types that include that letter are displayed.</p><p>You can then enter a second character and the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> types will be further limited to <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> types containing those two characters.</p></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use-add"></a>Adding a new MIME type</h4></div></div></div><p>If you want to add a new <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type to your file associations, you can click on the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Add...</span></span> button. A small dialog box will appear. You select the category from the drop down box labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Group:</span></span>, and type the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> name in the blank labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Type name:</span></span>. Click <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">OK</span></span> to add the new <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type, or click <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Cancel</span></span> to not add any new <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> types.</p></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use-del"></a>Removing a MIME type</h4></div></div></div><p>If you want to remove a <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type, simply select the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type you want to delete by clicking once with the mouse on the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type name. Then click the button labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Remove</span></span>. The <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type will be deleted immediately.</p><p>You can remove only your own <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> types.</p></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use-edit"></a>Editing a MIME types properties</h4></div></div></div><p>Before you can edit a <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> types property, you must first specify which <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type. Simply browse through the categories until you find the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type you want to edit, then click once on it with the mouse.</p><p>As soon as you have selected the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type, the current values of the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type will appear in the module window.</p><p>You will notice the current values are split into two tabs: <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">General</span></span> and <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Embedding</span></span></p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term"><span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">General</span></span></span></dt><dd><p>There are 4 properties for each <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type in this tab:</p><div class="orderedlist"><ol class="orderedlist" type="1"><li class="listitem"><p><span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Mime Type Icon</span></span> is the icon that will be visible when using <span class="application">Dolphin</span> or <span class="application">Konqueror</span> as a file manager.</p></li><li class="listitem"><p><span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Filename Patterns</span></span> is a search pattern which <span class="orgname">KDE</span> will use to determine the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type.</p></li><li class="listitem"><p><span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Description:</span></span> is a short description of the file type. This is for your benefit only.</p></li><li class="listitem"><p><span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Application Preference Order</span></span> determines which applications will be associated with the specified <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type.</p></li></ol></div></dd><dt><span class="term"><span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Embedding Tab</span></span></span></dt><dd><p>The Embedding tab allows you to determine if a file will be viewed within a filemanager window, or by starting the application.</p></dd></dl></div></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use-icon"></a>Changing the Icon</h4></div></div></div><p>To change the icon, simply click on the Icon button. A dialog box will appear, which will show you all available icons. Simply click once with the mouse on the icon of your choice, and click <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">OK</span></span>.</p></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use-pattern"></a>Editing the MIME type patterns</h4></div></div></div><p>The box labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Filename Patterns</span></span>, determines what files will be included within this <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type.</p><p>Usually, files are selected based on their suffix. (Examples: Files that end with <code class="literal">.wav</code> are sound files, using the WAV format and files that end in <code class="literal">.c</code> are program files written in C).</p><p>You should enter your filename mask in this combo box.</p><p>The asterisk (<code class="literal">*</code>) is a wildcard character that will be used with nearly every <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type mask. A complete discussion of wildcards is beyond the scope of this manual, but it is important to understand that the asterisk (in this context), <span class="quote">“<span class="quote">matches</span>”</span> any number of characters. As an example: <strong class="userinput"><code>*.pdf</code></strong> will match <code class="filename">Datafile.pdf</code>, <code class="filename">Graphics.pdf</code> and <code class="filename">User.pdf</code>, but not <code class="filename">PDF</code>, <code class="filename">Datafile.PDF</code>, or <code class="filename">.pdf</code>.</p><div class="tip" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;"><h3 class="title">Tip</h3><p>It is very beneficial to have multiple masks. One for lower case, one for upper case, <abbr class="abbrev">etc.</abbr> This will help ensure that <span class="orgname">KDE</span> can determine the file type more accurately.</p></div></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use-desc"></a>Editing a MIME types description</h4></div></div></div><p>You can type a short description of the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type in the text box labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Description:</span></span>. This label is to help you, it does not affect the function of the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type.</p></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use-app"></a>Editing the application associations</h4></div></div></div><p>There are five buttons (<span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Move Up</span></span>, <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Move Down</span></span>, <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Add...</span></span>, <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Edit...</span></span> and <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Remove</span></span>) and a list box (which lists the applications) which are used to configure the applications.</p><p>The list box lists all of the applications associated with a specific <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type. The list is in a specific order. The top application is the first application tried. The next application down the list is the second, <abbr class="abbrev">etc.</abbr></p><div class="note" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;"><h3 class="title">Note</h3><p>What do you mean there is more than one application per <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type? Why is this necessary?</p><p>We started out by saying that <span class="orgname">KDE</span> comes preconfigured with hundreds of file associations. The reality is, each system that <span class="orgname">KDE</span> is installed on has a different selection of applications. By allowing multiple associations per <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type, <span class="orgname">KDE</span> can continue to operate when a certain application is not installed on the system.</p><p>As an example:</p><p>For the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type <code class="literal">pdf</code>, there are two applications associated with this file type. The first program is called <span class="application">Okular</span>. If your system does not have <span class="application">Okular</span> installed, then <span class="orgname">KDE</span> automatically starts the second application <span class="application">Krita</span>. As you can see, this will help keep <span class="orgname">KDE</span> running strong as you add and subtract applications.</p></div><p>We have established that the order is important. You can change the order of the applications by clicking once with the mouse on the application you want to move, and then clicking either <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Move Up</span></span> or <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Move Down</span></span>. This will shift the currently selected application up or down the list of applications. </p><p>You can add new applications to the list by clicking the button labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Add...</span></span>. A dialog box will appear. Using the dialog box, you can select the application you want to use for this <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type. Click <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">OK</span></span> when you are done, and the application will be added to the current list.</p><p>To change the options of an application for a particular <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type select it in the list and then press the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Edit...</span></span> button. This opens a new dialog with <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">General</span></span>, <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Permissions</span></span>, <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Application</span></span> and <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Details</span></span> tabs. On the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Application</span></span> tab you can edit <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Name:</span></span>, <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Description:</span></span> and <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Comment:</span></span>. In the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Command:</span></span> field you can have several place holders following the command, which will be replaced with the actual values when the actual program is run:</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" style="list-style-type: disc; "><li class="listitem"><p>%f - a single file name</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>%F - a list of files; use for applications that can open several local files at once</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>%u - a single <acronym class="acronym">URL</acronym></p></li><li class="listitem"><p>%U - a list of <acronym class="acronym">URL</acronym>s</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>%d - the folder of the file to open</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>%D - a list of folders</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>%i - the icon</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>%m - the mini-icon</p></li><li class="listitem"><p>%c - the caption</p></li></ul></div><p>You can remove an application (thereby ensuring that the application will never run with this <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type by clicking once on the name of the application, and clicking the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Remove</span></span> button.</p><div class="tip" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;"><h3 class="title">Tip</h3><p>It is a good idea to use the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Move Up</span></span> and <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Move Down</span></span> buttons to adjust the unwanted application to a lower position in the list, rather than deleting the application from the list entirely. Once you have deleted an application, if your preferred application should become compromised, there will not be an application to view the data document.</p></div></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-embedding"></a>Embedding</h4></div></div></div><p>These settings are valid only for <span class="application">Konqueror</span> used as file manager, <span class="application">Dolphin</span> is not able to use embedded views and opens a file always in the associated application.</p><p>By clicking on the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Embedding</span></span> tab, you are presented with four radio buttons in the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Left Click Action in Konqueror</span></span> group. These determine how the filemanager views the selected <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type:</p><div class="variablelist"><dl class="variablelist"><dt><span class="term">Show file in embedded viewer</span></dt><dd><p>If this is selected, the file will be shown <span class="emphasis"><em>within</em></span> the filemanager window.</p></dd><dt><span class="term">Show file in separate viewer</span></dt><dd><p>This will cause a separate window to be created when showing this <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type.</p></dd><dt><span class="term">Use settings for 'application' group</span></dt><dd><p>This will cause the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type to use the settings for the <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type group. (if you are editing an audio <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> type, then the settings for the audio group are used).</p></dd><dt><span class="term">Ask whether to save to disk instead</span></dt><dd><p>This setting applies only to <span class="application">Konqueror</span> in browser mode and determines if the file is shown in an embedded viewer or if you are asked to save the file to disk instead.</p></dd></dl></div><p>Below this is a listbox labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guilabel">Services Preference Order</span></span>.</p><p>When you use a filemanager like <span class="application">Dolphin</span> or <span class="application">Konqueror</span>, you can <span class="mousebutton">right</span> mouse click, and a menu will with an entry labeled <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guimenuitem">Open with...</span></span> will appear. This box lists the applications that will appear, in the order they will appear, under this menu.</p><p>You can use the <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Move Up</span></span> and <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Move Down</span></span> buttons to change the order.</p></div><div class="sect3"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="file-assoc-use-done"></a>Making changes permanent</h4></div></div></div><p>When you are done making any changes to <acronym class="acronym">MIME</acronym> types, you can click <span xmlns:doc="http://nwalsh.com/xsl/documentation/1.0" class="guiitem"><span class="guibutton">Apply</span></span> to make your changes permanent, but keep you in this module.</p></div></div></div></div></div><div id="footer"><div class="navCenter"><table class="navigation"><tr><td class="prevCell"></td><td class="upCell"> </td><td class="nextCell"></td></tr><tr><td class="prevCell"> </td><td class="upCell"> </td><td class="nextCell"> </td></tr></table></div><div id="footer_text">Would you like to make a comment or contribute an update to this page?<br>Send feedback to the <a href="mailto:kde-doc-english@kde.org" class="footer_email">KDE Docs Team</a></div></div></div></body></html></FILENAME>
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