Copy with Selection Test [Sub-Macro]

Macro Library
, ,
1

2017-09-14 8:55 PM CT

Revised to use KM Copy Action with Clipboard Seed to determine if selection was made.

MACRO:   COPY with Selection Test [Sub-Macro]

~~~ VER: 2.0    2017-09-14 ~~~

DOWNLOAD:

COPY with Selection Test [Sub-Macro].kmmacros (6.3 KB)
Note: This Macro was uploaded in a DISABLED state. You must enable before it can be triggered.

ReleaseNotes

Author.@JMichaelTX

PURPOSE:

  • Attempt to Copy User's Selection
    • and set KM Variable to indicate IF Clipboard has changed.

HOW TO USE:

  1. Call this Sub-Macro in an Execute Macro Action
  2. Then use a IF/THEN Action to test for KM Variable "CBS__Clipboard_Changed"
    = 1 IF the Clipboard has changed

NOTE: This version uses the KM Copy Action (rather than using ⌘C)

  • It is faster if there is a selection (no pause needed)
  • Has a timeout of 2 seconds if there is no selection.

MACRO SETUP

  • No trigger is needed since it is called as a Sub-Macro
  • Place in Group with GLOBAL access
  • ENABLE this Macro.

TAGS: @SubMacro @Selection @Copy

USER SETTINGS:

  • There are no user settings.

REQUIRES:

  1. Keyboard Maestro Ver 7.3+ (don't even ask me about KM 6 support).
  2. El Capitan 10.11.6+
  • It make work with Yosemite, but I make no guarantees.

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

  • While I have given this limited testing, and to the best of my knowledge 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.

image

2 Likes
2

This is awesome, thanks.

3

Thanks, but I have since discovered a better method to determine when the Clipboard has changed.

Please see:

1 Like
4

Cool, I tested this and it works the same. Out of curiosity, how is it better?

5

It is better because it uses a direct method of detecting if the Clipboard has changed, without making a change itself to the Clipboard. I also like #2 because it does not use a sub-macro.

Both methods will work. I used method #1 a long time before I discovered method #2.

1 Like
6

Could you elaborate on this? I've tested both #1 (USE command-C with Short Pause) and #2 (copy with "Tiimeout Aborts Macro" unchecked and a short action timeout) but in both cases, running this macro does change my clipboard.

7

If you use this macro:
MACRO: [CB] How to Detect When Clipboard Has Changed [Example]

it does NOT change the Clipboard IF the user has NOT selected anything.

8

Ok cool, that could actually be useful. Just tested and it works!

9

Just updated my macro in my OP.