How do I get the selected text in desktop application using python-dbus?

Question

For example, I open a pdf file or a web page in gnome, use mouse double click some text, so a word is selected, how can I get this word in a background running daemon written with python-dbus?

Some simple but working piece of script is appreciated greatly.

Thanks!

AFAIK, this behavior is application dependent: if Application X doesn't export the text, you are out of luck. Use D-feet or alike to introspect the methods of an application. — jldupont
– jldupont, Commented Nov 16, 2009 at 13:47

u0b34a0f6ae · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-16 14:50:51Z

7

You don't need D-Bus, simply listen to changes for the middle-click (Selection) clipboard with for example Gtk:

import gtk

def _clipboard_changed(clipboard, event):
    text = clipboard.wait_for_text()

clip = gtk.clipboard_get(gtk.gdk.SELECTION_PRIMARY)
clip.connect("owner-change", _clipboard_changed)

answered Nov 16, 2009 at 14:50

u0b34a0f6ae

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2 Comments

jaimechen Over a year ago

WOW, awesome! Works great! Just need an extra line: gtk.main() to let the program keep running. I want to implement something like the usual translation software. I guess I can open up a new window and place it around the mouse. And only if I can insert dynamic annotate to the pdf files being read, perfect.

hobs Over a year ago

I had trouble with the gtk.gdk.SELECTION_PRIMARY. It only contained clips that had been manually copied using the mouse. I sometimes populate the clipboard using xclip in a bash terminal, so the selection setting that works for me (for both mouse and scripted clipboard content updates) was gtk.gdk.SELECTION_CLIPBOARD. I also added a conditional to check for NoneType before passing the contents on, otherwise you will get the string "None" in your variable named text above.

Walter · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-16 14:42:03Z

0

Gnome Do has a few plug-ins that use the selected text. I'm not sure how it is implemented (and if it uses DBus), but the code should reveal all. :)

answered Nov 16, 2009 at 14:42

Walter

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