# How to use external editor?

**URL:** <https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/how-to-use-external-editor/18154>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [22 June 2021 20:03 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/how-to-use-external-editor/18154 "2021-06-22T20:03:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 5

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**Author:** ![JackGruber](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/discourse.joplinapp.org/jackgruber/32/3231_2.png) [@JackGruber](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/JackGruber)\
**Post date:** [23 June 2021 19:41 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/how-to-use-external-editor/18154/5 "2021-06-23T19:41:32Z")

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Did you use a flatpack or snap packages? Because they use sandboxing to isolate Joplin from the OS/Other Apps.

> <https://github.com/laurent22/joplin/issues/5078>
>
> While opening an attached file, Joplin asks me to choose a program from a list. …This occurs exactly three times for each extension. On the fourth time, Joplin seems to assume the correct program and opens directly. The same behaviour occurred while choosing for "toggle external editing".
> 
> While for "toggle external editing" you can choose which program to use in settings, for the attachments there is no location whatsoever where you can reset to another program \*inside\* Joplin. Of course, the logical conclusion is that Joplin is using the list of system preferred programs. But again, it is not (as you can reproduce below), hence a possible bug.
> 
> Joplin is now locked to using Xreader (for pdfs), when I wanted it to point to Evince (which is actually the default / preferred program on the system).
> 
> I tried with no success to have the choice once more (reinstalled Joplin, deleted folder joplin-desktop folder in .config files, rolled back using timeshift \[excluding Home folder in my case\]), and still Joplin opens directly. This points to a problem in Home folder, but \*\*not\*\* the .config/joplin-desktop
> 
> When I uninstall Xreader, Joplin just does not open the file.
> 
> \## Environment
> 
> Joplin version: 1.8.5
> Platform:
> Linux Mint 20.1 x64
> Kernel: 5.4.0-74-generic
> DE: Cinnamon
> 
> 
> \## Steps to reproduce (I did on another computer - same problem)
> 
> 1. Fresh Linux Mint 20.1 x86\_64 Cinnamon install in English.
> 2. Install Joplin1.8.5 from the Software manager (tested from another source, same problem)
> 3. pick a .pdf and attach on a note (via drag and drop)
> 4. Choose "Document Viewer"
> 5. Open again and choose "Document Viewer" two more times.
> 6. The third time the program opens without a choice.
> 7. Close Joplin.
> 7. Install evince and/or okular via the software manager
> 8. Choose Evince as preferred (System Settings\> Preferred Applications)
> 8. Restart the machine for good measure.
> 9. Open the attachment
> 
> The problem:
> 
> 12. \*\*It will open using Xreader\*\*
> 
> This is of concern as someone may want to redefine defaults in the long run and will be locked with the same programs \*forever\*. Besides, sometimes may be important to choose another program to open to edit the attachment (like figures for example). Otherwise, the attachment feature becomes useless.

> [@Problem using external editor](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/problem-using-external-editor/17225/11):
>
> The official AppImage wouldn't have any problems using the external editor functionality, so if it's important to you then it could make sense to use it. You'd only realistically be losing automatic updates. You could either export your current notes as a .JEX and import them into it, use the sync functionality built into Joplin, or open the profile directories and copy them over (whilst they're both shut down ofc). The AppImage is also the only Linux choice that gets official support. It's unr…

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