Desktop Entry Files

A desktop entry file is a data file that provides information about an item in a menu. The desktop entry file specifies the details for the item such as a name, a command to run, an icon, and so on. The desktop entry file also contains keywords which determine the location of the item in the menu hierarchy. Desktop entry files have a .desktop file extension.

The following is a sample desktop entry file:

[Desktop Entry] Encoding=UTF-8 Name=Calculator Comment=Perform calculations Exec=gcalctool Icon=gcalctool.png Terminal=false Type=Application Categories=GNOME;Application;Utility; X-GNOME-DocPath=gcalctool/gcalctool.xml

Table 2-3 describes the most important keys in desktop entry files.

Table 2-3 Desktop Entry Keys

Desktop Entry Key	Description
Encoding	Specifies the encoding of the desktop entry file.
Name	Specifies the name of the item. This name is displayed on the item in the menu.
Comment	Specifies a short description of the item. The comment is displayed as a tooltip when you point to the item in the menu.
Exec	Specifies a command to execute when you choose the item from the menu.
Icon	Specifies the filename of an icon that represents the item. Does not specify the path to the filename, or the file extension.
Terminal	Specifies whether the command in the Exec key runs in a terminal window. If the value is true the command runs in a terminal window. If the command does not create a window in which to run, the value of this key must be true.
Type	Specifies the type of item. This value is one of the following: Application: Enter this option for an item that starts an application. Link: Enter this option for an item that links to a file, folder, or FTP site.
Categories	Specifies the keywords that describe the item. The keywords are separated with semicolons (;). To see a list of the standard category keywords, see the desktop menu specification at the following URL: http://www.freedesktop.org The vfolder information files map the keywords to menus.
X-GNOME-DocPath	Specifies the help file to display when you choose Help on application-name from the menu item popup menu.

For more information on the keys in desktop entry files, see the desktop entry specification at the following URL:

http://www.freedesktop.org

Panel launchers and desktop objects also use desktop entry files. The desktop entry files for launchers and desktop objects provide the same information as for items in a menu. For example, the desktop entry files provide the command to run when a user chooses the launcher or object.