---
name: "XtSetSelectionParameters"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libxt"
version: "1.3.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/XtSetSelectionParameters"
---

# XtSetSelectionParameters(3)

specify target parameters for a selection request with a single target

## NAME

XtSetSelectionParameters - specify target parameters for a selection request with a single target

## SYNTAX

\#include \<X11/Intrinsic.h\>

void XtSetSelectionParameters(Widget *requestor*, Atom *selection*, Atom *type*, XtPointer *value*, unsigned long *length*, int *format*);

## ARGUMENTS

- *requestor*

  Specifies the widget making the request. Must be of class Core or any subclass thereof.

- *selection*

  Specifies the atom that names the selection.

- *type*

  Specifies the type of the property in which the parameters will be passed.

- *value*

  Specifies a pointer to the parameters.

- *length*

  Specifies the number of elements containing data in *value*, each element of a sized indicated by *format*.

- *format*

  Specifies the size in bits of the data in the elements of *value*.

## DESCRIPTION

The specified parameters will be copied and stored in a new property of the specified type and format on the requestor's window. To initiate a selection request with a target and these parameters, a subsequent call to **XtGetSelectionValue** or to **XtGetSelectionValueIncremental** specifying the same requestor widget and selection atom will generate a **ConvertSelection** request referring referring to the property containing the parameters. If **XtSetSelectionParameters** is called more than once with the same widget and selection without a call to specify a request, the most recently specified parameters are used in the subsequent request.

The possible values of *format* may be 8, 16, or 32. If the *format* is 8, the elements of *value* are assumed to be sizeof(char); if 16, sizeof(short); if 32, sizeof(long).

To generate a MULTIPLE target request with parameters for any of the multiple targets of the selection request, precede individual calls to **XtGetSelectionValue** and **XtGetSelectionValueIncremental** with corresponding individual calls to **XtSetSelectionParameters**, and enclose these all within **XtCreateSelectionRequest** and **XtSendSelectionRequest**. **XtGetSelectionValues** and **XtGetSelectionValuesIncremental** cannot be used  to make selection requests with parameterized targets.

## SEE ALSO

[XtGetSelectionParameters(3)](/XtGetSelectionParameters/3.md)\
 *X Toolkit Intrinsics - C Language Interface*\
 *Xlib - C Language X Interface*