diff --git a/oml/item/api.py b/oml/item/api.py
index c2073ea..0b1edeb 100644
--- a/oml/item/api.py
+++ b/oml/item/api.py
@@ -388,6 +388,16 @@ def cancelImport(data):
     return {}
 actions.register(cancelImport, cache=False)
 
+def openFile(data):
+    response = {}
+    item = models.Item.get(data['id'])
+    if item:
+        path = item.get_path()
+        if path:
+            utils.open_file(path)
+    return response
+actions.register(openFile, cache=False)
+
 def openFolder(data):
     response = {}
     item = models.Item.get(data['id'])
diff --git a/oml/utils.py b/oml/utils.py
index 0af8f1b..71ee624 100644
--- a/oml/utils.py
+++ b/oml/utils.py
@@ -337,6 +337,16 @@ def makefolder(path):
         os.makedirs(dirname)
 
 
+def open_file(path=None):
+    cmd = []
+    if sys.platform == 'darwin':
+        cmd += ['open', path]
+    elif sys.platform.startswith('linux'):
+        cmd += ['xdg-open', path]
+    else:
+        logger.debug('unsupported platform %s', sys.platform)
+    subprocess.Popen(cmd, close_fds=True)
+
 def open_folder(folder=None, path=None):
     cmd = []
     if path and not folder:
diff --git a/static/js/infoView.js b/static/js/infoView.js
index 086efd4..2e39e2b 100644
--- a/static/js/infoView.js
+++ b/static/js/infoView.js
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ oml.ui.infoView = function(externalData, isMixed) {
                             if (data_.id == 'read') {
                                 oml.UI.set({itemView: 'book'});
                             } else if (data_.id == 'open') {
-                                // ...
+                                oml.api.openFile({id: oml.user.ui.item});
                             } else {
                                 oml.api.openFolder({id: oml.user.ui.item});
                             }