From Vim Tips Wiki

Tip 1552 Previous Next Created: April 15, 2008 Complexity: basic Author: MagnusBerg Version: 7.0

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Here is how to open files in new tabs, instead of new instances of gvim, under Unix. It works even when you mouse click to open files in a file manager.

Contents 1 Desktop entry 2 alias 3 See also 4 Comments

[edit] Desktop entry

In the gvim.desktop desktop file (/usr/share/applications/ for most GNU/Linux systems) look for the "Exec" line. It will probably be like this:

Exec=gvim -f %F

Change the Exec line to:

Exec=gvim -p --remote-tab-silent %F

And in your vimrc add:

tab all

Note: Be aware that the desktop file is changed when you install a new version of gvim, so you may need to repeat the following change after an update.

[edit] alias

You can of course also use an alias:

% alias gvim 'gvim -p --remote-tab-silent'

Most GUI programs don't read aliases, but it is useful if you start gvim from the shell.

[edit] See also

• Launch files in new tabs under Windows

[edit] Comments