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Is it possible to put a shortcut to a file (like a application launcher but opens a file instead of launching a program) in the Unity launcher, and if so, how?

htorque
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melodram
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  • Do you mean the launcher on the left, or the top panel? Also, which version of Ubuntu are you using? – htorque Mar 11 '11 at 20:46
  • the launcher on the left. i use ubuntu 11.04. – melodram Mar 11 '11 at 20:48
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    For UI element terminology help, see [What's the right terminology for Unity's UI elements?](http://askubuntu.com/questions/10228/whats-the-right-terminology-for-unitys-ui-elements) – belacqua Mar 12 '11 at 04:41

1 Answers1

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I only know a dirty way:

  1. Create a file ~/.local/share/applications/myfile.desktop

  2. Add the following to that file:

    [Desktop Entry]
Name=MyFile
Exec=gedit /path/to/a/text/file
Icon=text
Terminal=false
Type=Application
StartupNotify=true

  3. Save it and make that file executable:

    chmod +x ~/.local/share/applications/myfile.desktop

  4. Now browse to that file in Nautilus and drag it to the launcher.

This will add a launcher with a text icon, that opens /path/to/a/text/file with gedit:

enter image description here

Of course you need to change application/file/icon to whatever you want.

htorque
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    why didn't they make it easer to create links to files? in gnome-panel, every user was able to add, remove, edit things easily and according to his/her wishes. unity looks great, but i miss the individuality, the possibility to personalize, change. – melodram Mar 11 '11 at 22:08