QIcon Class

The QIcon class provides scalable icons in different modes and states. More...

Header:	#include <QIcon>
qmake:	QT += gui

• List of all members, including inherited members
• Obsolete members

Public Types

enum	Mode { Normal, Disabled, Active, Selected }
enum	State { Off, On }

Public Functions

	QIcon(QIconEngine *engine)
	QIcon(const QString &fileName)
	QIcon(QIcon &&other)
	QIcon(const QIcon &other)
	QIcon(const QPixmap &pixmap)
	QIcon()
QIcon &	operator=(QIcon &&other)
QIcon &	operator=(const QIcon &other)
	~QIcon()
QSize	actualSize(const QSize &size, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
QSize	actualSize(QWindow *window, const QSize &size, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
void	addFile(const QString &fileName, const QSize &size = QSize(), QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off)
void	addPixmap(const QPixmap &pixmap, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off)
QList<QSize>	availableSizes(QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
qint64	cacheKey() const
bool	isMask() const
bool	isNull() const
QString	name() const
void	paint(QPainter *painter, const QRect &rect, Qt::Alignment alignment = Qt::AlignCenter, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
void	paint(QPainter *painter, int x, int y, int w, int h, Qt::Alignment alignment = Qt::AlignCenter, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
QPixmap	pixmap(const QSize &size, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
QPixmap	pixmap(int w, int h, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
QPixmap	pixmap(int extent, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
QPixmap	pixmap(QWindow *window, const QSize &size, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const
void	setIsMask(bool isMask)
void	swap(QIcon &other)
QVariant	operator QVariant() const

Static Public Members

QStringList	fallbackSearchPaths()
QString	fallbackThemeName()
QIcon	fromTheme(const QString &name)
QIcon	fromTheme(const QString &name, const QIcon &fallback)
bool	hasThemeIcon(const QString &name)
void	setFallbackSearchPaths(const QStringList &paths)
void	setFallbackThemeName(const QString &name)
void	setThemeName(const QString &name)
void	setThemeSearchPaths(const QStringList &paths)
QString	themeName()
QStringList	themeSearchPaths()

Related Non-Members

QDataStream &	operator<<(QDataStream &stream, const QIcon &icon)
QDataStream &	operator>>(QDataStream &stream, QIcon &icon)

Detailed Description

A QIcon can generate smaller, larger, active, and disabled pixmaps from the set of pixmaps it is given. Such pixmaps are used by Qt widgets to show an icon representing a particular action.

The simplest use of QIcon is to create one from a QPixmap file or resource, and then use it, allowing Qt to work out all the required icon styles and sizes. For example:

QToolButton *button = new QToolButton;
button->setIcon(QIcon("open.xpm"));

To undo a QIcon, simply set a null icon in its place:

button->setIcon(QIcon());

Use the QImageReader::supportedImageFormats() and QImageWriter::supportedImageFormats() functions to retrieve a complete list of the supported file formats.

When you retrieve a pixmap using pixmap(QSize, Mode, State), and no pixmap for this given size, mode and state has been added with addFile() or addPixmap(), then QIcon will generate one on the fly. This pixmap generation happens in a QIconEngine. The default engine scales pixmaps down if required, but never up, and it uses the current style to calculate a disabled appearance. By using custom icon engines, you can customize every aspect of generated icons. With QIconEnginePlugin it is possible to register different icon engines for different file suffixes, making it possible for third parties to provide additional icon engines to those included with Qt.

Note: Since Qt 4.2, an icon engine that supports SVG is included.

Making Classes that Use QIcon

If you write your own widgets that have an option to set a small pixmap, consider allowing a QIcon to be set for that pixmap. The Qt class QToolButton is an example of such a widget.

Provide a method to set a QIcon, and when you draw the icon, choose whichever pixmap is appropriate for the current state of your widget. For example:

void MyWidget::drawIcon(QPainter *painter, QPoint pos)
{
    QPixmap pixmap = icon.pixmap(QSize(22, 22),
                                   isEnabled() ? QIcon::Normal
                                               : QIcon::Disabled,
                                   isChecked() ? QIcon::On
                                               : QIcon::Off);
    painter->drawPixmap(pos, pixmap);
}

You might also make use of the Active mode, perhaps making your widget Active when the mouse is over the widget (see QWidget::enterEvent()), while the mouse is pressed pending the release that will activate the function, or when it is the currently selected item. If the widget can be toggled, the "On" mode might be used to draw a different icon.

Note: QIcon needs a QGuiApplication instance before the icon is created.

High DPI Icons

There are two ways that QIcon supports high DPI icons: via addFile() and fromTheme().

addFile() is useful if you have your own custom directory structure and do not need to use the freedesktop.org Icon Theme Specification. Icons created via this approach use Qt's "@nx" high DPI syntax.

Using fromTheme() is necessary if you plan on following the Icon Theme Specification. To make QIcon use the high DPI version of an image, add an additional entry to the appropriate index.theme file:

[Icon Theme]
Name=Test
Comment=Test Theme

Directories=32x32/actions,32x32@2/actions

[32x32/actions]
Size=32
Context=Actions
Type=Fixed

# High DPI version of the entry above.
[32x32@2/actions]
Size=32
Scale=2
Type=Fixed

Your icon theme directory would then look something like this:

├── 32x32
│   └── actions
│       └── appointment-new.png
├── 32x32@2
│   └── actions
│       └── appointment-new.png
└── index.theme

See also GUI Design Handbook: Iconic Label and Icons Example.

Member Type Documentation

enum QIcon::Mode

This enum type describes the mode for which a pixmap is intended to be used. The currently defined modes are:

Constant	Value	Description
QIcon::Normal	0	Display the pixmap when the user is not interacting with the icon, but the functionality represented by the icon is available.
QIcon::Disabled	1	Display the pixmap when the functionality represented by the icon is not available.
QIcon::Active	2	Display the pixmap when the functionality represented by the icon is available and the user is interacting with the icon, for example, moving the mouse over it or clicking it.
QIcon::Selected	3	Display the pixmap when the item represented by the icon is selected.

enum QIcon::State

This enum describes the state for which a pixmap is intended to be used. The state can be:

Constant	Value	Description
QIcon::Off	1	Display the pixmap when the widget is in an "off" state
QIcon::On	0	Display the pixmap when the widget is in an "on" state

Member Function Documentation

QIcon::QIcon(QIconEngine *engine)

Creates an icon with a specific icon engine. The icon takes ownership of the engine.

QIcon::QIcon(const QString &fileName)

Constructs an icon from the file with the given fileName. The file will be loaded on demand.

If fileName contains a relative path (e.g. the filename only) the relevant file must be found relative to the runtime working directory.

The file name can refer to an actual file on disk or to one of the application's embedded resources. See the Resource System overview for details on how to embed images and other resource files in the application's executable.

Use the QImageReader::supportedImageFormats() and QImageWriter::supportedImageFormats() functions to retrieve a complete list of the supported file formats.

QIcon::QIcon(QIcon &&other)

Move-constructs a QIcon instance, making it point to the same object that other was pointing to.

QIcon::QIcon(const QIcon &other)

Constructs a copy of other. This is very fast.

QIcon::QIcon(const QPixmap &pixmap)

Constructs an icon from a pixmap.

QIcon::QIcon()

Constructs a null icon.

QIcon &QIcon::operator=(QIcon &&other)

Move-assigns other to this QIcon instance.

This function was introduced in Qt 5.2.

QIcon &QIcon::operator=(const QIcon &other)

Assigns the other icon to this icon and returns a reference to this icon.

QIcon::~QIcon()

Destroys the icon.

QSize QIcon::actualSize(const QSize &size, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

Returns the actual size of the icon for the requested size, mode, and state. The result might be smaller than requested, but never larger. The returned size is in device-independent pixels (This is relevant for high-dpi pixmaps.)

See also pixmap() and paint().

QSize QIcon::actualSize(QWindow *window, const QSize &size, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

Returns the actual size of the icon for the requested window size, mode, and state.

The pixmap can be smaller than the requested size. The returned size is in device-independent pixels (This is relevant for high-dpi pixmaps.)

This function was introduced in Qt 5.1.

See also actualSize(), pixmap(), and paint().

void QIcon::addFile(const QString &fileName, const QSize &size = QSize(), QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off)

Adds an image from the file with the given fileName to the icon, as a specialization for size, mode and state. The file will be loaded on demand. Note: custom icon engines are free to ignore additionally added pixmaps.

If fileName contains a relative path (e.g. the filename only) the relevant file must be found relative to the runtime working directory.

The file name can refer to an actual file on disk or to one of the application's embedded resources. See the Resource System overview for details on how to embed images and other resource files in the application's executable.

Use the QImageReader::supportedImageFormats() and QImageWriter::supportedImageFormats() functions to retrieve a complete list of the supported file formats.

If a high resolution version of the image exists (identified by the suffix @2x on the base name), it is automatically loaded and added with the device pixel ratio set to a value of 2. This can be disabled by setting the environment variable QT_HIGHDPI_DISABLE_2X_IMAGE_LOADING (see QImageReader).

Note: When you add a non-empty filename to a QIcon, the icon becomes non-null, even if the file doesn't exist or points to a corrupt file.

See also addPixmap() and QPixmap::devicePixelRatio().

void QIcon::addPixmap(const QPixmap &pixmap, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off)

Adds pixmap to the icon, as a specialization for mode and state.

Custom icon engines are free to ignore additionally added pixmaps.

See also addFile().

QList<QSize> QIcon::availableSizes(QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

Returns a list of available icon sizes for the specified mode and state.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.5.

qint64 QIcon::cacheKey() const

Returns a number that identifies the contents of this QIcon object. Distinct QIcon objects can have the same key if they refer to the same contents.

The cacheKey() will change when the icon is altered via addPixmap() or addFile().

Cache keys are mostly useful in conjunction with caching.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.3.

See also QPixmap::cacheKey().

[static] QStringList QIcon::fallbackSearchPaths()

Returns the fallback search paths for icons.

The default value will depend on the platform.

This function was introduced in Qt 5.11.

See also setFallbackSearchPaths() and themeSearchPaths().

[static] QString QIcon::fallbackThemeName()

Returns the name of the fallback icon theme.

On X11, if not set, the fallback icon theme depends on your desktop settings. On other platforms it is not set by default.

This function was introduced in Qt 5.12.

See also setFallbackThemeName() and themeName().

[static] QIcon QIcon::fromTheme(const QString &name)

Returns the QIcon corresponding to name in the current icon theme.

The latest version of the freedesktop icon specification and naming specification can be obtained here:

• http://standards.freedesktop.org/icon-theme-spec/icon-theme-spec-latest.html
• http://standards.freedesktop.org/icon-naming-spec/icon-naming-spec-latest.html

To fetch an icon from the current icon theme:

    QIcon undoicon = QIcon::fromTheme("edit-undo");

Note: By default, only X11 will support themed icons. In order to use themed icons on Mac and Windows, you will have to bundle a compliant theme in one of your themeSearchPaths() and set the appropriate themeName().

Note: Qt will make use of GTK's icon-theme.cache if present to speed up the lookup. These caches can be generated using gtk-update-icon-cache: https://developer.gnome.org/gtk3/stable/gtk-update-icon-cache.html.

Note: If an icon can't be found in the current theme, then it will be searched in fallbackSearchPaths() as an unthemed icon.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.6.

See also themeName(), setThemeName(), themeSearchPaths(), and fallbackSearchPaths().

[static] QIcon QIcon::fromTheme(const QString &name, const QIcon &fallback)

This is an overloaded function.

Returns the QIcon corresponding to name in the current icon theme. If no such icon is found in the current theme fallback is returned instead.

If you want to provide a guaranteed fallback for platforms that do not support theme icons, you can use the second argument:

    QIcon undoicon = QIcon::fromTheme("edit-undo", QIcon(":/undo.png"));

[static] bool QIcon::hasThemeIcon(const QString &name)

Returns true if there is an icon available for name in the current icon theme, otherwise returns false.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.6.

See also themeSearchPaths(), fromTheme(), and setThemeName().

bool QIcon::isMask() const

Returns true if this icon has been marked as a mask image. Certain platforms render mask icons differently (for example, menu icons on macOS).

This function was introduced in Qt 5.6.

See also setIsMask().

bool QIcon::isNull() const

Returns true if the icon is empty; otherwise returns false.

An icon is empty if it has neither a pixmap nor a filename.

Note: Even a non-null icon might not be able to create valid pixmaps, eg. if the file does not exist or cannot be read.

QString QIcon::name() const

Returns the name used to create the icon, if available.

Depending on the way the icon was created, it may have an associated name. This is the case for icons created with fromTheme() or icons using a QIconEngine which supports the QIconEngine::IconNameHook.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.7.

See also fromTheme() and QIconEngine.

void QIcon::paint(QPainter *painter, const QRect &rect, Qt::Alignment alignment = Qt::AlignCenter, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

Uses the painter to paint the icon with specified alignment, required mode, and state into the rectangle rect.

See also actualSize() and pixmap().

void QIcon::paint(QPainter *painter, int x, int y, int w, int h, Qt::Alignment alignment = Qt::AlignCenter, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

This is an overloaded function.

Paints the icon into the rectangle QRect(x, y, w, h).

QPixmap QIcon::pixmap(const QSize &size, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

Returns a pixmap with the requested size, mode, and state, generating one if necessary. The pixmap might be smaller than requested, but never larger.

Setting the Qt::AA_UseHighDpiPixmaps application attribute enables this function to return pixmaps that are larger than the requested size. Such images will have a devicePixelRatio larger than 1.

See also actualSize() and paint().

QPixmap QIcon::pixmap(int w, int h, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

This is an overloaded function.

Returns a pixmap of size QSize(w, h). The pixmap might be smaller than requested, but never larger.

Setting the Qt::AA_UseHighDpiPixmaps application attribute enables this function to return pixmaps that are larger than the requested size. Such images will have a devicePixelRatio larger than 1.

QPixmap QIcon::pixmap(int extent, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

This is an overloaded function.

Returns a pixmap of size QSize(extent, extent). The pixmap might be smaller than requested, but never larger.

Setting the Qt::AA_UseHighDpiPixmaps application attribute enables this function to return pixmaps that are larger than the requested size. Such images will have a devicePixelRatio larger than 1.

QPixmap QIcon::pixmap(QWindow *window, const QSize &size, QIcon::Mode mode = Normal, QIcon::State state = Off) const

Returns a pixmap with the requested window size, mode, and state, generating one if necessary.

The pixmap can be smaller than the requested size. If window is on a high-dpi display the pixmap can be larger. In that case it will have a devicePixelRatio larger than 1.

This function was introduced in Qt 5.1.

See also actualSize() and paint().

[static] void QIcon::setFallbackSearchPaths(const QStringList &paths)

Sets the fallback search paths for icons to paths.

Note: To add some path without replacing existing ones:

    QIcon::setFallbackSearchPaths(QIcon::fallbackSearchPaths() << "my/search/path");

This function was introduced in Qt 5.11.

See also fallbackSearchPaths() and setThemeSearchPaths().

[static] void QIcon::setFallbackThemeName(const QString &name)

Sets the fallback icon theme to name.

The name should correspond to a directory name in the themeSearchPath() containing an index.theme file describing its contents.

Note: This should be done before creating QGuiApplication, to ensure correct initialization.

This function was introduced in Qt 5.12.

See also fallbackThemeName(), themeSearchPaths(), and themeName().

void QIcon::setIsMask(bool isMask)

Indicate that this icon is a mask image(boolean isMask), and hence can potentially be modified based on where it's displayed.

This function was introduced in Qt 5.6.

See also isMask().

[static] void QIcon::setThemeName(const QString &name)

Sets the current icon theme to name.

The name should correspond to a directory name in the themeSearchPath() containing an index.theme file describing its contents.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.6.

See also themeSearchPaths() and themeName().

[static] void QIcon::setThemeSearchPaths(const QStringList &paths)

Sets the search paths for icon themes to paths.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.6.

See also themeSearchPaths(), fromTheme(), and setThemeName().

void QIcon::swap(QIcon &other)

Swaps icon other with this icon. This operation is very fast and never fails.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.8.

[static] QString QIcon::themeName()

Returns the name of the current icon theme.

On X11, the current icon theme depends on your desktop settings. On other platforms it is not set by default.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.6.

See also setThemeName(), themeSearchPaths(), fromTheme(), and hasThemeIcon().

[static] QStringList QIcon::themeSearchPaths()

Returns the search paths for icon themes.

The default value will depend on the platform:

On X11, the search path will use the XDG_DATA_DIRS environment variable if available.

By default all platforms will have the resource directory :\icons as a fallback. You can use "rcc -project" to generate a resource file from your icon theme.

This function was introduced in Qt 4.6.

See also setThemeSearchPaths(), fromTheme(), and setThemeName().

QVariant QIcon::operator QVariant() const

Returns the icon as a QVariant.