Change Directory in the Finder

[zeltak]

@JimmyHartington..wow!!!!
this is the stuff dreams are made of lol

thx so much. in a related question then, can one use this to instead open a path rather move a selected file to one of the targets in that list you presented?

thx again so much!

Z

[suliveevil]

You are welcome.

[JimmyHartington]

Is it one selected file or multiple?
A mix of files and directories?

I would like to give it a shoot when I am back at my computer.

[ccstone]

anyone can think of a better way of doing so without multiple binds+pauses

Hey Z,

I see you're trying to change the directory of the front Finder window.

AppleScript makes that pretty easy.

----------------------------------------------------------------
# Auth: Christopher Stone
# dCre: 2019/01/09 16:27
# dMod: 2019/01/09 16:27 
# Appl: Finder
# Task: Change the Target of the Front Finder Window
# Libs: None
# Osax: None
# Tags: @Applescript, @Script, @Finder, @Change, @Target, @Front, @Window
----------------------------------------------------------------

set newTarget to path to downloads folder

tell application "Finder"
   if window 1 exists then
      tell window 1
         if (its target as alias) ≠ newTarget then
            set its target to newTarget
         else
            beep 2
         end if
      end tell
   end if
end tell

----------------------------------------------------------------

Jimmy's “Open folder” macro could easily be repurposed to do this as well.

also would be cool to maybe create a pre defined list of places and use that for changing dir

What locations specifically?

can one use this to instead open a path rather move a selected file to one of the targets in that list you presented?

Easily.

-Chris

[JimmyHartington]

Here is my attempt with a macro, which moves the selected file/files to the folder you choose.
It does not work on with selected folders.

And as @ccstone writes, I did not notice you wanted to change directory. My solutions opens a new window in Finder.

Keyboard Maestro 8.2.4 “Move selected file to folder” Macro

Move selected file to folder.kmmacros (3.8 KB)

[zeltak]

thx alot @JimmyHartington thats perfect for me!

Z

[dbrooks787]

And this will present you with at box, where you can start to write the name of the folder you want to open.

JimmyHartington:

This macro does not work for me. Everytime I run it, I get the error message

"Macro Cancelled
Open File failed with non-existent path
,’%Variable%LocaLFoldcrToOpen%,,. Macro "Open Fo..."

How do you get it to actually open the folder?

[JimmyHartington]

In the error message there seems to be a typo.
Have you copied the error message in or written it?

[dbrooks787]

I copied it.

The good news is that I just tried it again, to verify the error message, and the darn thing worked. Have tried it twice more and it works. So I'm at a loss as to why it repeatedly failed before. I tried it at least 10 times before and it failed every time, no matter what folder I tried.

If it fails again, I'll let you know.

Thanks for the reply.

[JMichaelTX]

thx alot @JimmyHartington thats perfect for me!

@zeltak, If one of the above posts solves your problem/question as originally stated, please check the "Solved" checkbox (click for details) at the bottom of that post.

Otherwise, please post your remaining questions/issues about this problem.
If you have other questions, please start a new topic.

[zeltak]

sure thing, done!

th @JMichaelTX for letting me know about this

Z

[MarkusWeisner]

I find this AppleScript super useful, but realized that it throws an error if the finder is showing "Recents" ... probably because it's not really a real folder.

I updated the AppleScript to make it work ...

set newTarget to "Mac HD:Users:UserName:Downloads:"

tell application "Finder"
	if window 1 exists then
		tell window 1
			if (its target as string) is equal to "" then --my additon to code
				set its target to newTarget
			else if (its target as alias) ≠ newTarget then --added an "else" to beginning
				set its target to newTarget
			else
				beep 2
			end if
		end tell
	end if
end tell

[BernSh]

Found this awhile back and it works in Catalina and Big Sur.

File item Macro (v9.2)

03)File item.kmmacros (21 KB)

[ccstone]

Hey Markus,

Well done!

Here's a new and improved version of my script above.

-Chris

--------------------------------------------------------
# Auth: Christopher Stone <scriptmeister@thestoneforge.com>
# dCre: 2019/01/09 16:27
# dMod: 2021/01/25 14:18
# Appl: Finder
# Task: Change the Target of the Front Finder Window (Improved).
# Libs: None
# Osax: None
# Tags: @Applescript, @Script, @Finder, @Change, @Target, @Front, @Window
# Vers: 2.0
--------------------------------------------------------

# Never use a hard-coded path unless you have to.
# They're fragile and break when you least want them to.

set newTargetAlias to path to downloads folder as text

tell application "Finder"
   
   if exists of window 1 then
      
      tell window 1
         
         set windowTargetPathHFS to its target as text
         
         if (windowTargetPathHFS = "") or (windowTargetPathHFS ≠ newTargetAlias as text) then
            set its target to newTargetAlias as alias
         else
            display notification linefeed & (newTargetAlias as text) & linefeed ¬
               with title "Front Window Location already set to:" sound name "Tink"
         end if
         
      end tell
      
   else
      
      set newFinderWindow to make new Finder window
      tell newFinderWindow
         set its target to newTargetAlias
         set its bounds to {488, 23, 1432, 1196}
         if toolbar visible = false then set toolbar visible to true
      end tell
      
   end if
   
end tell

--------------------------------------------------------

[ccstone]

@BernSh

Found this awhile back and it works in Catalina and Big Sur.

Hey Bern,

Unfortunately that's pretty poor AppleScript. There's unused and unnecessary code.

Here it is all cleaned up:

--------------------------------------------------------
# Auth: Christopher Stone
# dCre: 2021/01/25 14:26
# dMod: 2021/01/25 23:27
# Appl: Finder
# Task: Move Selected Items in the Finder to a Folder Chosen by the User.
# Libs: None
# Osax: None
# Tags: @Applescript, @Script, @Finder, @Move, @Selected, @Items
--------------------------------------------------------

tell application "Finder"
   set selectedItemList to the selection as alias list
   set destFolder to choose folder
   move selectedItemList to destFolder
end tell

--------------------------------------------------------

-Chris

[BernSh]

Hey Chris,

It's funny in that I have gone through probably at least six different versions of different scripts to do just this file selected Finder thing. There are several scattered around this forum. Most of them are way longer than this version that I found, and I was quite proud for having found it.

Now you come along and turn it into Applescript Haiku. And it works even faster than the version I had. Amazing, Artistry, Thank You!

[JMichaelTX]

@BernSh

It's funny in that I have gone through probably at least six different versions of different scripps to do just this file selected Finder thing.

@BernSh, I am surprised that you did not find a very simple KM Macro to do this, that does NOT require any scripting.
I think it should be just as fast as Chris' script, but let us know how it works for you.

Below is just an example written in response to your request. You will need to use as an example and/or change to meet your workflow automation needs.

Please let us know if it meets your needs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MACRO:   Move Files in Finder Selection to Chosen Folder [Example]

-~~~ VER: 1.0    2021-01-25 ~~~
Requires: KM 8.2.4+   macOS 10.11 (El Capitan)+
(Macro was written & tested using KM 9.0+ on macOS 10.14.5 (Mojave))

DOWNLOAD Macro File:

Move Files in Finder Selection to Chosen Folder [Example].kmmacros
Note: This Macro was uploaded in a DISABLED state. You must enable before it can be triggered.

---

ReleaseNotes

Author.@JMichaelTX

PURPOSE:

• Move Files in Finder Selection to Chosen Folder [Example]

NOTICE: This macro/script is just an Example

• It is provided only for educational purposes, and may not be suitable for any specific purpose.
• It has had very limited testing.
• You need to test further before using in a production environment.
• It does not have extensive error checking/handling.
• It may not be complete. It is provided as an example to show you one approach to solving a problem.

REQUIRES:

1. KM 8.0.2+

• But it can be written in KM 7.3.1+
• It is KM8 specific just because some of the Actions have changed to make things simpler, but equivalent Actions are available in KM 7.3.1.
  .

2. macOS 10.11.6 (El Capitan)

• KM 8 Requires Yosemite or later, so this macro will probably run on Yosemite, but I make no guarantees.

MACRO SETUP

• Carefully review the Release Notes and the Macro Actions
  • Make sure you understand what the Macro will do.
  • You are responsible for running the Macro, not me.
    .
• Assign a Trigger to this maro.
• Move this macro to a Macro Group that is only Active when you need this Macro.
• ENABLE this Macro.

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

• While I have given this limited testing, and to the best of my knowledge it will do no harm, I cannot guarantee it.
• If you have any doubts or questions:
  • Ask first
  • Turn on the KM Debugger from the KM Status Menu, and step through the macro, making sure you understand what it is doing with each Action.

[BernSh]

It's interesting. Yours opens a dialog a bit faster than the AS Chris wrote and is MUCH slower to execute the the actual move which is very fast using the AS.

Also, the AS opens a dialog with an add folder button present and I know you could modify your macro to provide the same.

Good stuff and thank you for providing it and all the structure around it!

Relatedly, I've come across several takes on filing actions. It seems that Filing/Moving files could be a section or topic onto itself within the Forum and might serve as an initial way of organizing Forum materials to present an inroad for learning KM. A bit of continuing Making KM More Accessible for Non-Geeks

Following are only some pieces that could be included in this topic. This is just a sketch from a beginner's view of this idea and is undoubtedly off in many ways, including putting in this article.

Getting Started

Straight filing files~

[FINDER] Move Selected Finder Items to Choose Folder [Example]

MACRO:   [FINDER] Move Selected Finder Items to Choose Folder [Example] [image] 2017-02-11 12:10 CT Add better error handling Add prefix of "MSF__" to all KM Variables used in this macro (all variables are deleted at end of macro) ~~~ VER: 1.1    2017-02-11 ~~~ DOWNLOAD: [FINDER] Move Selected Finder Items to Choose Folder [Example].kmmacros (21 KB) You may also be interested in: MACRO: Move List of Items Selected in PathFinder ReleaseNotes Author: @JMichaelTX PURPOSE: MOVE …

Easiest solution to move selected file in Finder to another folder?

I can send cmd + c keystroke followed by cmd + delete and then I am stuck. There is a Move or Rename a File action and I suppose I have to put my copied file/s to some clipboard and pass that to it or is there a better way? Thank you for any help.

Automate "Move File" macro creation

Yes, it can, although using TextEdit as opposed to a plain text editor like BBEdit does complicate things a bit for the macro since it uses RTF for its default format. It is definitely possible, though. For formatting, each destination folder needs to be on its own line, and if you want the prompt to show something other than the folder path, like a custom name, you will need to follow @roosterboy's advice and append the name to the file path with two underscores, like this: ~/Documents/Import…

Move Selected Finder Item(s) to folder?

As I just replied in your other post, see:

Transfer Files Between Folders [Example]

MACRO:   Transfer Files Between Folders [Example] ~~~ VER: 2.0    2018-03-12 ~~~ DOWNLOAD: Transfer Files Between Folders [Example].kmmacros (41 KB) Note: This Macro was uploaded in a DISABLED state. You must enable before it can be triggered. Please feel free to post below with any questions/issues/suggestions. This Macro Provides Selection of Source and Destination Folders Folders can have default selection based on selection in Finder Prompt to Confirm continue of macro, showing folders …

Variations while Moving files~

Exporting files to a specific folder

Hey folks. I've got an idea for a macro I'd like to try, but haven't quite figured out how to pull it off. When I'm working on a project (in my case, I do film scoring, so each project is movie), I have the same folder hierarchy set up everytime, just with the current project name at the top. When I've finished my individual music cues in Digital Performer, I export those files to an Mixes folder that then gets sent to the places it needs to go. For each movie it's always the same place, so I…

How to move all files in the A folder to the B folder, but do not move the A folder

[image] [image]

Finder - Move to Parent Folder Macro (v9.2d1)

I often find that I want to move the selected file(s)/folder(s) to their parent directory. I wasn't sure how to best do this, so I did what I always do, I wrote a shell script that checks to make sure the same file(s)/folder(s) don't exist in the parent directory, and then moves them. This is designed to be used in a group that is only active in Finder.app: Finder - Move to Parent Folder Macro (v9.2d1) Finder - Move to Parent Folder.kmmacros (38 KB) [Keyboard Maestro Export]

Make alias and move file

OK folks, now I get to offer something constructive. Passing this on in case It helps. I wanted to know how to move a file using Finder. It turns out that you can use a keystroke which is far easier than writing a script. I am working on a project which requires reviewing a large number of documents then moving relevant found documents to my project folder while I put together a final PDF for project output. To do this I need to figure a way to keep all my files where they are parked, then to p…

Copy a file from one location to another

I haven’t used Keyboard Maestro for a while. Basically I just want to copy a file from my iMac to a Mac Mini that has been triggered by a hot key. The file exists in the new location so will I have to delete that first and then copy it over?

New folder according to current Finder-selected file, then move file inside?

So let me start by declaring I’m a Keyboard Maestro newbie, and this is my first post. Hello all! I’m trying to figure out how to take a currently selected file or folder and trigger a macro to ideally automate: Creating a new folder in the same location as the selected file or folder. Moving the selected file or folder inside the new folder. Renaming this new folder with the originally selected file or folder name, leaving me with an ability to edit the new folder name before committing it. …

MACRO: Choose File From Folder List With Incremental-Search and AutoComplete

Use Case Provide an easy way to search/filter the list of files in a folder Allows user to use incremental search with autocomplete to search/filter a list of files in a selected folder Target Folder may come from current Finder or PathFinder Window, OR, from a preset Folder you have set in the Macro. Example Output [Demo-My-Macro-Choose-File-AN] MACRO:   Choose File From All Files in Target Folder using KM Prompt With List [Example] -~~~ VER: 2.0    2020-07-18 ~~~ Requires: KM 8.2.4…

Parts involved with Moving Files~

Pathways-

Get the Posix-Path(s) of the Finder-Selection

Hey Folks, Anyone working with shell scripts often needs to grab a Posix path or three from item(s) in the Finder. Here's a simple macro to do just that. Finder-Selection { Get Paths ~:… If Possible }.kmmacros (4.0 KB) [image] Example Result: [image] It's good practice to use home-directory-anchored paths when possible, because they are more likely to survive a change in hard-drive-name, user-name, or a move to a different computer. Many years ago I predominantly used hard-coded-paths, …

Finding the File Path for the Front Document in the Front Application

Hey Folks, Sometimes you need the POSIX Path of a document that's open in an application. Sometimes that's available via the app's native sdef (AppleScript Dictionary), but unfortunately not all apps are natively AppleScriptable. AppleScript, System Events, and UI-Scripting to the rescue – the macro below will grab the POSIX Path of the frontmost document open in most applications. -Chris Acquire POSIX Path of File Associated with Front Window of Front Application.kmmacros (7.7 KB) [imag…

Working with the Finder Selection

In Keyboard Maestro, you work with the Finder Selection by using the For Each action to iterate over the selected files. From there, you can do whatever you would like with the files using the various file actions, or by processing with a script or other means. There is a smart action in the acton selector for For Each Path in the Finder Selection, which is simply a For Each action, preset to iterate through the Finder Selection collection. You can put whatever actions you like within that ac…

Getting the path of currently selected file in Finder

I would like to get the path of a file selected in Finder. I have seen the post. When I use it, it provides both the path and filename. An internet produces some AppleScript such as: tell application "Path Finder" to get POSIX path of (item 1 of (get selection)) But this also produces path and filename. Is there a simple way to amend the AppleScript or the macro that Peter provided in his post to just get the filename alone?

Copy Path of Finder Selection

I've used a Services extension to copy the path of the Finder selection for eons, so I never noticed it is not installed by default in OS X. I received a recent support question asking for this, so here is the resulting macro. Select a file in the Finder, and then select Copy Path from the Keyboard Maestro status menu and the selection's POSIX path is copied tot he clipboard. If you select more than one, then they are copies as multiple lines (if its only one, there are no return characters), …

Getting the path of currently selected file in Finder

I would like to get the path of a file selected in Finder. I have seen the post. When I use it, it provides both the path and filename. An internet produces some AppleScript such as: tell application "Path Finder" to get POSIX path of (item 1 of (get selection)) But this also produces path and filename. Is there a simple way to amend the AppleScript or the macro that Peter provided in his post to just get the filename alone?

Capture a File Path

I searched and cannot find an answer to this. The nearest I came was: [File Paths Not Working, Why?](http://this post). That post was about writing out the file path apparently, not clicking on a file and creating the path with correct formatting (escaping the spaces). I use an app regularly that has been having inconsistencies in dragged in file or folder paths. It may be fixed soon (or not). I am wondering how to set up a macro from either a right click or a keystroke where I can copy the fil…

The Clipboard-

Copy Finder File to Clipboard

Continuing the discussion from Working with the Finder Selection: Is there a way to copy a pdf at a file path into a Keyboard Maestro clipboard so I can paste it in to an email in Apple Mail? I command+c the file and command+p which of course work in the Finder and then Apple Mail. The file is the same

How Do I Copy a File Added to a Folder?

This post is so old - but I can't get this to work now? Same kind of idea except I want a new file added to a folder to be added to the clipboard, so I can paste it into Mail or Skype or Slack or wherever else. Any tips would be great - sorry for what must be a very simple question - I have lots of macros for things but just can't figure this one out!

AppleScript -- Getting References to Files and/or Folders onto the Clipboard for Pasting

Hey Folks, Here’s how to put a reference to one or more files and/or folders onto the clipboard. These files and/or folders may then be pasted anywhere the macOS will allow, such as in the Finder, Apple Mail, etc. -Chris ---------------------------------------------------------------- # Auth: Christopher Stone { Heavy Lifting by Shane Stanley } # dCre: 2018/04/10 16:57 # dMod: 2018/04/19 14:42 # Appl: AppleScriptObjC # Task: Place a reference to one or more files and/or folders on the clipbo…

Dialogs-

Macro to set open/save dialog to frontmost finder window?

I would like to create a macro that would let me press a key to set the current location of an open/save dialog screen to the frontmost Finder window. Bonus points for tips on a macro that can set the location of the open/save dialog to the second frontmost Finder window, and so on. I realize that I can just drag the little folder icon of a given finder window into an open/save dialog, but that involves a LOT of clicking and dragging as you have to be able to see both the finder window and the…

Making Folders-

Create New FOLDER in Current @Finder Folder

Use Case As some of you may be aware, the Finder already offers a similar feature. While it works OK, this macro offers the following: A prompt to enter the folder name, which you can cancel. Tests for a folder already existing by the same name, and gives you an opportunity to cancel or overwrite. I have a companion macro, that uses the same hotkey trigger, that will create a new blank file in the parent folder. I am also converting all of my Finder macros/scripts to also with with Path Find…

Group Finder Items to New or Existing Folder - Plugin Action

Group to Folder by Ian Kirkland Description Of all the actions I've created, this is probably among my most-used and – truth be told – favorites. The action groups selected Finder items into a new folder with the name defined in the action's field. You're probably wondering, "Why not use the grouping functionality already built into Finder's menu?" Good question! Here's why: If you use a project-based organizational scheme or even a mildly-OCD-driven folder hierarchy, you've like…

Links-

Aliasing a File URL / Using a File Reference URL as Link

What for? Many text-handling programs allow you to drag (or paste) a file into their text field, in order to create a file URL that points to that file. The problem with this is: Unlike Finder Aliases, file URLs are fragile. They behave like absolute symlinks, that is, they immediately break if you do one of the following: Modify the file name Move it to another folder Modify the name of any of the file’s parent folders Move any of the file’s parent folders The macro facilitates you to creat…

[JMichaelTX]

@BernSh

It's interesting. Yours opens a dialog a bit faster than the AS Chris wrote and is MUCH slower to execute the the actual move which is very fast using the AS.

I can confirm and quantify your results with my testing of moving 14 files:

Here is my test AppleScript:

use scripting additions
use framework "Foundation"


tell application "Finder"
  set selectedItemList to the selection as alias list
  set destFolder to choose folder
  
  set gTimerStartDate to current application's NSDate's |date|()
  
  move selectedItemList to destFolder
  
  set elapTime to (round (-(gTimerStartDate's timeIntervalSinceNow())) * 1000) / 1000.0
  
end tell

return elapTime

[BernSh]

It's cool to get to hang out with people who know what they're doing!

Thank you for always moving the ball forward!!