Cannot add program to menu list

Support & Help Requests
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#1

Hi all, new to this community. Apologies for any rookie mistakes.

I'm trying to add a program (MATLAB R2019a; already installed and functional) to the menu on the default desktop of 20.04. I was able to successfully do this in 18.04 without issue.

When I activate the "Programming" menu and then click "New Item", the "Create Launcher" box comes up fine. I enter the relevant info and click "OK", but nothing is added.

I've also tried going in and copying the python3.8.desktop file and changing the info, but I can't get anything to reflect in the menu itself.

Am I missing something simple?

#2

Hi there :slight_smile:

You can add a .desktop file in /usr/share/applications/

let's say /usr/share/applications/matlab.desktop :

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Matlab
GenericName=Open Matlab software
Exec=/path/to/folder/runcommand
Icon=/usr/share/icons/Adwaita/512x512/apps/accessories-character-map.png
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Qt;Utility;
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;application/xml;application/rss+xml;application/rdf+xml;image/gif;image/jpeg;image/png;x-scheme-handler/http;x-scheme-handler/https;x-scheme-handler/ftp;x-scheme-handler/chrome;video/webm;application/x-xpinstall;

Next you should be able to see your application in the menu. Of course you can tweak a bit the file for your needs, you can read some info about .desktop files here :
https://developer.gnome.org/integration-guide/stable/desktop-files.html.en

If it does not appear in the menu, it means that the run command is not OK or that the script file is not executable.
Do not hesitate to share your command to run matlab with us :slight_smile: we will figure out :slight_smile:

#3

Hello LuckyBulldog

You could try menulibre [https://launchpad.net/menulibre].

You can install it via Synaptic.

I "tweaked" my menu once too often in 18.04, the problems I created are still there following migration to 20.04. Menulibre has helped to get things working well enough. 22.04 will have to be a fresh install, to get the menus sorted out properly.

Another option might be to use the "launcher" Synapse You can also install this via Synaptic.

Hope you find a way forwards. :slightly_smiling_face: