How to Use the Command 'okular' (with examples)
Okular is a versatile and powerful document viewer that is commonly used within the KDE desktop environment. It supports a wide array of file formats such as PDF, Postscript, DjVu, CHM, XPS, ePub, and many others. Its functionality is enhanced by features like text searching, annotations, and presentation capabilities, making it a favorite among users who regularly deal with digital documents. Whether you need to simply view a document or perform more advanced manipulations, Okular provides a set of commands that can be run from the command line to optimize your document viewing experience. In the examples below, we’ll explore specific use cases demonstrating the power and flexibility of Okular.
Launch document viewer
Code:
okular
Motivation:
Starting Okular without a specific document loads the application in a standby mode. This is useful if you want to have the application ready to open multiple documents quickly or plan to open files from within the application interface. It provides a centralized interface where you can manage documents as needed.
Explanation:
The okular command with no additional arguments opens the Okular application in its default mode. The application interface appears without pre-loading any document, allowing the user to access file menus and other tools immediately.
Example output:
Launching Okular this way results in the application’s main window appearing on your desktop, presenting the file menu at the top. The window itself will be empty, awaiting user instruction to open a document.
Open specific documents
Code:
okular path/to/file1 path/to/file2 ...
Motivation:
This use case is practical when you need to view multiple documents at once. It saves time by launching Okular with all specified files preloaded, allowing for quick comparisons or concurrent reading of various texts. This can be particularly useful in research settings or when dealing with multiple project documents.
Explanation:
The command okular followed by a list of file paths directly opens each specified document within the Okular interface. Each document will typically open in a separate tab, enabling you to navigate between them easily.
Example output:
Executing this command opens Okular with the specified documents loaded in separate tabs or windows. For instance, if you have three PDF files, all will be viewable through Okular’s interface simultaneously, allowing for seamless navigation.
Open a document at a specific page
Code:
okular --page page_number path/to/file
Motivation:
Opening a document on a specific page is ideal for situations where you need to reference a particular section quickly, such as during a presentation or while verifying details in a large document. It eliminates the need to scroll through numerous pages to find the relevant content.
Explanation:
Here, the option --page is used followed by the specific page number you wish to open. The path/to/file argument specifies the file to be viewed. This combination tells Okular to jump directly to the desired page upon opening the document.
Example output:
Running the command will open the specified document with the view centered on the chosen page number. For example, using --page 45 will immediately display page 45 of the document.
Open a specific document in presentation mode
Code:
okular --presentation path/to/file
Motivation:
Presentation mode is designed to turn your document view into a full-screen experience ideal for presentations or public speaking. It removes distractions by hiding toolbars and menus, providing an immersive viewing experience for the audience.
Explanation:
The --presentation option is used to open the document in a full-screen mode optimized for presenting. The path/to/file argument signifies which document you want to display as a presentation.
Example output:
After executing this command, the document opens in a full-screen view without any toolbars or side panels, showing only the document contents, thus creating a clean presentation setup.
Open a specific document and start a print dialog
Code:
okular --print path/to/file
Motivation:
Initiating a print dialog upon opening a document saves time, especially if the intent is immediately to produce a hard copy. It is particularly useful in office environments where documents need to be printed quickly and regularly.
Explanation:
The --print argument tells Okular to open the specified document and then directly invoke the print dialog. The user can configure the print settings and send the file to a printer without navigating through menus.
Example output:
Using this command will prompt Okular to open the document and immediately present a print dialog. The dialog allows users to select print options such as printer selection, number of copies, and print quality.
Open a document and search for a specific string
Code:
okular --find search_string path/to/file
Motivation:
Quickly locating specific text within a document is a crucial efficiency tool, especially for lengthy documents. This command helps users to directly jump to the occurrences of specific keywords or phrases, which is immensely helpful in research and analysis.
Explanation:
The --find option followed by the search_string defines the text you want to locate in your document. The path/to/file indicates the document in which the search will be conducted. This command opens the document and highlights search results matching the string.
Example output:
When this command is executed, Okular opens the document and scrolls to the first instance of search_string, highlighting it for easy visibility. All occurrences of the string are also marked, allowing swift navigation between them.
Conclusion:
The okular command-line tool provides various options that enhance user interaction with digital documents, from simple viewing to more specialized tasks like direct printing and string searching. By understanding and utilizing these commands, users can significantly streamline their document management and presentation workflows, making Okular an essential tool for both personal and professional use.
