Copy variable to named clipboard

[maclaw21]

Novice here, so please take it easy.

I am setting up a macro using "Prompt for User Input." I want to take the text I enter into that input and copy it to a non-system clipboard (so that it does not overwrite the system clipboard) and then paste from that clipboard.

I cannot, however, figure out how to do this. I have tried using the "Set Variable to Text" action immediately after the "Prompt" action, but when I then use the "Insert Text" action and add the named clipboard token, nothing it doesn't work.

I don't know if the problem is that the text is not being copied to the clipboard or is not pasting, or what. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[kevinb]

@maclaw21

Novice here, so please take it easy.

Always!

I want to take the text I enter into that input and copy it to a non-system clipboard (so that it does not overwrite the system clipboard)

As the Wiki's page about Clipboards explains, it's not possible to avoid using the real (system) clipboard like that.

Keep in mind that the System Clipboard is involved in all operations (Actions) that transfer data between the user interface (documents, menus, web pages,etc) and Keyboard Maestro.

For example, all of these Actions go through and will change the System Clipboard:
...

• Copy_to_Named_Clipboard
  ...

– Clipboards [Keyboard Maestro Wiki]

You can however delete an item from the system clipboard easily enough, using the Delete current clipboard action – so the copied item does not have to be left on the clipboard.

@maclaw21

have tried using the "Set Variable to Text" action immediately after the "Prompt" action

The Prompt for user input action provides for the setting of variables – you shouldn't need to use a clipboard, or set variables as a separate action.

If the above doesn't address your problem, let us know, and maybe post your macro.

[maclaw21]

Thank you for your detailed response. I tried fiddling with the macro but can't get it to work properly.

Here's the macro:

Thanks again.

[kevinb]

I have just replicated your macro, and it works for me.

OK, so ⌘-7 selects the disk in Find Any File... fine... What is the move and click action for? I don't think you need it.

Depending on the speed of your Mac and how busy it is, you might need to add a Pause action before the action that types Return. Alternatively you could use the Press a button action, set to "Find" (again, using a pause action if needed).

For possible future reference: I see that it is also possible to control Find Any File with scripting^[1] in Javascript (which KM supports^[2]). There are JS mavens here who could advise further, should the need ever arise!

By the way, unless you need to share the variable "Search" with other macros, it would be good practice to limit it to that one macro by making it a local variable. Beginning the variable name with "local" is enough to do that.

---

1. Find Any File - Scripting ↩︎

2. action:Execute a JavaScript For Automation [Keyboard Maestro Wiki] ↩︎

[maclaw21]

@kevinb

What is the move and click action for? I don't think you need it.

In earlier testing, the text field in FAF was not active. I removed the move and click action.

@kevinb

Depending on the speed of your Mac and how busy it is, you might need to add a Pause action before the action that types Return.

I added a .3 sec pause.

@kevinb

For possible future reference: I see that it is also possible to control Find Any File with scripting[1] in Javascript (which KM supports[2]). There are JS mavens here who could advise further, should the need ever arise!

Hoo boy, that sounds like too much for me. But thank you.

I got the macro to work. Thanks so much for your help.