According to the screenshot, the image you are trying to edit externally is embedded in the SVG file. The feature being available for linked images only, the fact that the menu entry is gray is absolutely normal (see http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/File-Import.html).
I'm setting the report's status to Invalid. Don't hesitate to comment and revert the status if you think I'm wrong or if it doesn't work with linked images. Note that a request already exists for embedded images editing (Bug #1077000 - Inkscape "Edit externally" function for embedded objects). ** Changed in: inkscape Status: New => Invalid -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to inkscape in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1329378 Title: 'Edit externally...' is not working after upgrading to 14.04 Status in Inkscape: A Vector Drawing Tool: Invalid Status in “inkscape” package in Ubuntu: New Bug description: Before the upgrade it worked (having Xubuntu 13.10) - it opened selected image in GIMP. Now the option is inaccessible (gray)... ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04 Package: inkscape 0.48.4-3ubuntu2 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-29.53-generic 3.13.11.2 Uname: Linux 3.13.0-29-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.2 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: XFCE Date: Thu Jun 12 18:30:13 2014 ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/inkscape InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-10-26 (229 days ago) InstallationMedia: Xubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Release amd64 (20131016) SourcePackage: inkscape UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-06-11 (1 days ago) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/1329378/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp