[SOLVED] How to centrify a window in XFCE?

tastyminerals · 2017-04-19 07:34:12

I am running xfce 4.12 desktop and actively using keyboard to reposition my windows. Unfortunately, this is one of xfce weakest spots since in comparison to openbox it either hides or does not have the same amount of window moving functions. Since on my other machine I use openbox and `Win-c` keybind to center the window I wanted the same functionality in xfce alas could not find it via settings manager. So, how can I center a window in xfce via keyboard?

Last edited by tastyminerals (2017-04-19 10:22:13)

ToZ · 2017-04-19 10:17:10

Hello and welcome.

You can use a script like this (requires xdotool):

#!/bin/bash

IFS='x' read screenWidth screenHeight < <(xdpyinfo | grep dimensions | grep -o '[0-9x]*' | head -n1)

width=$(xdotool getactivewindow getwindowgeometry --shell | head -4 | tail -1 | sed 's/[^0-9]*//')
height=$(xdotool getactivewindow getwindowgeometry --shell | head -5 | tail -1 | sed 's/[^0-9]*//')

newPosX=$((screenWidth/2-width/2))
newPosY=$((screenHeight/2-height/2))

xdotool getactivewindow windowmove "$newPosX" "$newPosY"

...save it somewhere (/usr/local/bin if you want all users to access it), make it executable and assign it to a keyboard shortcut. It will centre the currently active window.

tastyminerals · 2017-04-19 10:23:12

I see. Thank you for the solution.

smed79 · 2025-03-15 10:22:37

Found this thread searching 'how to center a window?'.

Here's the above Bash script converted into a function you can add to your .bashrc:

# Center active window in XFCE
# https://forum.xfce.org/viewtopic.php?id=11558
center_active_window() {
  local screen_info=$(xdpyinfo | grep dimensions | grep -o '[0-9x]*' | head -n1)
  IFS='x' read screenWidth screenHeight <<< "$screen_info"
  local geometry=$(xdotool getactivewindow getwindowgeometry --shell)
  local width=$(echo "$geometry" | head -4 | tail -1 | sed 's/[^0-9]*//')
  local height=$(echo "$geometry" | head -5 | tail -1 | sed 's/[^0-9]*//')
  local newPosX=$((screenWidth/2-width/2))
  local newPosY=$((screenHeight/2-height/2))
  xdotool getactivewindow windowmove "$newPosX" "$newPosY"
}

To create a keyboard shortcut in XFCE:

xfce4-keyboard-settings

Add a new shortcut with the following command:

bash -ic center_active_window

Then click OK and assign a key combination, for example, "Ctrl+Alt+C".

Apologies for reviving this old thread, but I wanted to share this in case it helps others roll

eriefisher · 2025-03-15 10:34:32

You can have Xfce4 do this automatically via Settings>>Window Manager Tweaks>>Placement>>By Default, Place Windows at center of the screen.

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#1 2017-04-19 07:34:12

[SOLVED] How to centrify a window in XFCE?

#2 2017-04-19 10:17:10

Re: [SOLVED] How to centrify a window in XFCE?

#3 2017-04-19 10:23:12

Re: [SOLVED] How to centrify a window in XFCE?

#4 2025-03-15 10:22:37

Re: [SOLVED] How to centrify a window in XFCE?

#5 2025-03-15 10:34:32

Re: [SOLVED] How to centrify a window in XFCE?

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