Inserting Media > Launching an external editor

Launching an external editor

You can double-click most files in the Site window to edit them directly. If the file is an HTML file, it opens in Dreamweaver. If it's another kind of file, such as an image file, it opens in an appropriate external editor, such as Macromedia Fireworks.

Each file type that Dreamweaver doesn't handle directly can be associated with one or more external editors found on your system. The editor that launches when you double-click the file in the Site window is called the primary editor. You can set which editor is associated with a file type in File Types/Editors preferences.

If more than one editor is associated with the file type, you can launch a secondary editor for a particular file: right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) the file name in the Site window, and choose an editor from the Open With submenu of the context menu.

Most of the time, the primary editor is the same application that would be launched if you double-clicked the file's icon on the desktop. To explicitly specify which external editors should be launched for a given file type, choose Edit > Preferences and select File Types/Editors from the Category list. File name extensions, such as .gif, .wav, and .mpg, are listed on the left under Extensions. Associated editors for a selected extension are listed on the right under Editors.

You can also browse to find an external editor to edit your file. Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) the file in the Design view of the Document window, and choose Edit With > Browse or select the file and choose > Edit > Edit with External Editor.

To add a file type to the list of extensions in File Types/Editors preferences:

1	Click the Plus (+) button above the Extensions list.
2	Enter a file type extension (including the period at the beginning of the extension), or several related extensions separated by spaces.
	For example, you might enter .png .jpg.

To add an editor for a given file type:

1	Select the file type extension in the Extensions list.
2	Click the Plus (+) button above the Editors list.
3	In the dialog box that appears, choose an application to add to the Editors list.
	For example, choose the application icon for Excel to add that application to your Editors list.

To remove a file type from the list:

1	Select the file type in the Extensions list.
	Note: You can't undo after removing a file type, so be sure you want to remove it.
2	Click the Minus (-) button above the Extensions list.

To make an editor the primary editor for a file type:

1	Select the file type.
2	Select the editor (or add it if it isn't on the list).
3	Click the Make Primary button.

To dissociate one editor from a file type:

1	Select the file type in the Extensions list.
2	Select the editor in the Editors list.
3	Click the Minus (-) button above the Editors list.