How to associate files with PlayOnLinux installed MS Office

[thunder686]

Here is a slightly modified version based on forrestcupp post to make it work on kubuntu 12.04:
• Go to your home folder then press Alt-. to see the hidden files then go to .local/share/applications
• In the applications folder right click-->Create New-->Link to Application.
Click the application tab and in the name field enter the desired name of the file for example ‘Microsoft Word 2007’ and in the command field enter

playonlinux --run "Microsoft Word 2007" z:%f

and click OK.
• Go to ~/.PlayOnLinux/shortcuts and right click on the file ‘Microsoft Word 2007’ then open with then Kate.
• Replace

$@

located at the end of the file with

"$(echo "$@" | sed -e 's:/*/:\\:g')"

and DO NOT LEAVE OUT THE QUOTES.
• Now right click on the file you want to open with word 2007 then properties then click on the wrench icon then click add. You should find the ‘Microsoft Word 2007’ file you created before under the ‘Lost & Found’ tab.
• Click OK and you are done.

[rockxell]

thks very clear

[AllenMc]

Thanks for the instructions. It works like a charm.
I changed the last line into the following, and no need to use two .desktop scripts for one program.
"$(echo "$@" | sed -e 's:/*/:\\:g' | sed -e 's/^z:$//')"

How can I do it without 2 .desktop scripts? Its not a big deal just a little annoying having 2 Words show up in dash and I'm probably gonna accidentally click on the wrong one at somepoint when I'm not paying attention.

Otherwise, this is awesome! Thank you!

[hg088]

Thanks a lot, works Perfectly!

btw, you can use a package called alacarte to create the .desktop files more easily

[mitsumits]

Thanks a lot. It works fine, even with filenames inclusing space.

[Dinosawer]

Thanks for the guide, it was very helpful!
I noticed recently that PlayOnlinux has file association functionality now, in Settings->File Associations, might be worth a try too. (Didn't try it myself since I had already done it like described here.)
Edit: I just tried the option today - you have to update to the newest version of Playonlinux from the website (the one in the ubuntu softwarecenter is older) for it to work though. Then you can easily configure them, and after that you have to right-click on your files, do "open with", set "playonlinux" as default and it will work from then. (Also works with filenames with spaces and strange characters here).

[max18]

Great tutorial and info above, in my case I performed in a different way which worked perfectly for me:

1) Firstly, I created the shortcuts based upon the PlayOnLinux shortcut:
cd /usr/share/applications
sudo cp PlayOnLinux.desktop PlayOnLinux-msword.desktop
sudo cp PlayOnLinux.desktop PlayOnLinux-msexcel.desktop
sudo cp PlayOnLinux.desktop PlayOnLinux-mspowerpoint.desktop


2) Then, I changed the content of each .desktop file and adjusted the contents as follows (In my example, I used MS-Word)
Also, notice that I changed the Category to 'Office' which makes more sense for me):

sudo gedit PlayOnLinux-msword.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Microsoft Word 2010
GenericName=Office
Comment=Microsoft Word 2010
Type=Application
Exec=playonlinux --run "Microsoft Word 2010" %F
Icon=/home/max/.PlayOnLinux/icones/full_size/Microsoft Project 2010
Categories=Office;


3) Using Nautilus, enter into any directory which you have all different file-types (.doc, .docx, .ppt, .pptx, .xls, .xlsx)

4) Point your mouse over any MS-document, press the right button, click on "Properties" and then select the tab "Open With"
Select your desire MS application in the list and click on "Set as default"

5) Repeat the step 4 for each file-type (.doc, .docx, .ppt, .pptx, .xls, .xlsx)


That's it !! Enjoy !

[Adt2u2s2]

thanks ! very helpful

[valeriancafe]

Cool it worked in debian wheezy

[finechap]

3ill - thanks for your suggestion, it worked for me on 14.04 64 bit. Once I had run your script, I then had the option of changing mime defaults in Nautilus. Full marks to both, or more of you.